Catering Operations Manager (Hybrid)

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid role

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Catering Operations Manager to oversee our East London catering operations with a balance of on-site leadership and strategic remote planning. You will manage a distributed team, budgets, inventory and safety to ensure seamless events.

You will collaborate with sales and culinary teams to deliver exceptional client experiences at high-profile events while driving efficiency and best practices across the catering division in East London.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in catering operations management or a similar leadership role in hospitality.
• Proven track record of successfully managing large-scale catering events.
• Strong leadership, team management, and motivational skills.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety, health regulations, and operational best practices.
• Proficiency in inventory management, cost control, and resource allocation.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays, as dictated by event schedules.
• Experience with hybrid work models and remote team management is highly valued.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Based in or willing to commute regularly to East London.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all day-to-day catering operations, ensuring efficiency and adherence to high standards.
• Manage and develop a team of catering staff, including supervisors, servers, and kitchen support.
• Develop and implement operational plans, schedules, and staffing models for events.
• Control inventory, manage equipment, and ensure timely procurement of supplies.
• Maintain strict compliance with health, safety, and food hygiene regulations.
• Collaborate with the sales and culinary teams to ensure successful event execution and client satisfaction.
• Monitor event performance, analyze operational costs, and identify areas for improvement.
• Implement and refine operational procedures to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
• Handle client feedback and resolve operational issues promptly and professionally.
• Effectively manage hybrid work responsibilities, bridging on-site needs with remote administrative tasks.

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading event catering company, is seeking a dynamic and experienced Catering Operations Manager for their operations in East London . This hybrid role requires a leader who can effectively oversee all logistical and operational aspects of our catering services, balancing on-site management with strategic remote planning and oversight. You will be responsible for ensuring the efficient and high-quality delivery of all catering events, managing a team of operational staff, and optimizing resource allocation. The ideal candidate possesses strong leadership skills, exceptional organizational abilities, and a deep understanding of the catering industry's operational demands. You will play a critical role in maintaining our client's reputation for excellence by ensuring seamless event execution, from initial set-up to final breakdown. The hybrid nature of this position demands excellent communication and coordination skills to manage a distributed team and ensure alignment between office-based tasks and on-site operational requirements. You will drive efficiency, implement best practices, and contribute to the overall growth and success of the catering division in East London .

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all day-to-day catering operations, ensuring efficiency and adherence to high standards.
• Manage and develop a team of catering staff, including supervisors, servers, and kitchen support.
• Develop and implement operational plans, schedules, and staffing models for events.
• Control inventory, manage equipment, and ensure timely procurement of supplies.
• Maintain strict compliance with health, safety, and food hygiene regulations.
• Collaborate with the sales and culinary teams to ensure successful event execution and client satisfaction.
• Monitor event performance, analyze operational costs, and identify areas for improvement.
• Implement and refine operational procedures to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
• Handle client feedback and resolve operational issues promptly and professionally.
• Effectively manage hybrid work responsibilities, bridging on-site needs with remote administrative tasks.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in catering operations management or a similar leadership role in hospitality.
• Proven track record of successfully managing large-scale catering events.
• Strong leadership, team management, and motivational skills.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety, health regulations, and operational best practices.
• Proficiency in inventory management, cost control, and resource allocation.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays, as dictated by event schedules.
• Experience with hybrid work models and remote team management is highly valued.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Based in or willing to commute regularly to East London.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. This hybrid role provides a valuable blend of on-site leadership and remote flexibility, promoting a sustainable work-life balance. You will have the opportunity to lead significant operations within a respected catering company and work on diverse, high-profile events in East London. Professional development and career advancement opportunities are available. Join a company that values operational excellence, employee growth, and embraces modern work structures. This is a key role for an experienced operations professional looking to make a significant impact.