Sr Catering Manager - PHX airport

PrimeFlight Aviation Services; Phoenix, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

PrimeFlight Aviation Services is seeking a Senior Catering Manager to lead multi-location catering operations within the aviation sector. You will drive strategy, financial performance, and workforce development while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance across facilities.

You will partner with executive leadership to implement long-term plans, optimize performance, and deliver high-quality service in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of operational experience in catering, aviation, logistics, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of leadership experience managing managers or multiple teams.
• Proven experience managing budgets and workforce planning.
• Ability to obtain and maintain airport and security clearances.
• Strong communication and decision-making skills at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee catering operations across multiple functions, including transportation, sanitation, and commissary operations.
• Develop and execute operational strategies to improve efficiency, service quality, and cost performance.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, airline requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Drive performance against SLA, metrics, and customer expectations.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to managers, supervisors, and frontline teams.
• Oversee staffing models, scheduling strategies, and labor optimization to meet demands.
• Manage operational budgets and cost controls.
• Build relationships with airline customers and authorities.
• Lead Safety Management System (SMS) initiatives and audits.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Budgeting

Staff Development

Operations Management

Regulatory Compliance

Communication

MS Office

Problem Solving

Tools

MS Office Suite

Aviation ERP

SMS Tools

Job description

The Senior Catering Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing catering operations across one or more locations to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant service delivery. This role drives operational strategy, financial performance, and workforce development while ensuring alignment with company, customer, and regulatory requirements. The Senior Catering Manager partners with executive leadership to implement long-term operational plans, optimize performance, and deliver consistent, high-quality service in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and oversee catering operations across multiple functions, including transportation, sanitation, and commissary operations
• Develop and execute operational strategies to improve efficiency, service quality, and cost performance
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, airline requirements, and regulatory standards
• Drive performance against service level agreements (SLA), operational metrics, and customer expectations
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to managers, supervisors, and frontline teams
• Partner with HR on workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, and performance management
• Oversee staffing models, scheduling strategies, and labor optimization to meet operational demands
• Manage and monitor operational budgets, expenses, and cost controls
• Build and maintain strong relationships with airline customers, airport authorities, and key stakeholders
• Oversee training programs and ensure compliance with all certification and recertification requirements
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of operational reporting, documentation, and compliance records
• Lead Safety Management System (SMS) initiatives, including safety audits, incident reporting, and continuous improvement efforts
• Identify operational risks and implement corrective actions to mitigate issues and improve performance
• Drive process improvements and standardization across locations or functions
• Communicate operational performance, risks, and opportunities to senior leadership
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Perform any additional duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• 18 years of age or older
• Must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment
• Eligibility to acquire needed credentials and clearances (FAA, RAIC, TSA, Port Authority, U.S. Customs and U.S. Postal- as applicable)
• Communicate effectively in English (reading, writing, speaking)
• 5+ years of operational experience in catering, aviation, logistics, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience, including management of managers or multiple teams
• Proven experience managing operational performance, budgets, and workforce planning
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization
• Advanced organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple locations or complex operations simultaneously
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Knowledge of safety, regulatory, and compliance requirements within an operational environment
• Ability to obtain and maintain required airport and security clearances
• Ability to pass a background check and drug screen
• Ability to work varying schedules, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential requirement satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the work environment, knowledge, skill, and/or ability. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential requirements.

Compensation:

The pay rate listed on this post is what the company reasonably expects to pay for this position. However, individual compensation may vary based on factors including qualifications, skills, competencies, education, and experience.

PrimeFlight Aviation Services, Inc. is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants and employees are considered and evaluated for positions at PrimeFlight Aviation Service, Inc. without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, uniform service member and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state/province, and local laws.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

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