Creative Catering Director

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus structure

State-of-the-art facilities

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Creative Catering Director to lead and innovate culinary offerings in Durban. This strategic role focuses on menu development, presentation, and steering the catering department to achieve exceptional client satisfaction.

You'll shape the brand's gastronomic identity, drive culinary innovation, and manage operations to deliver outstanding events across KwaZulu-Natal. A passion for food, design, and client service is essential.

Qualifications

• 7+ years experience in a senior leadership role within catering or luxury hospitality.
• Demonstrated success in creative menu development and high-end event execution.
• Strong understanding of food trends, dietary needs, and sustainable culinary practices.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute creative catering concepts and menus that align with market trends and client desires.
• Lead and inspire the culinary and service teams, fostering a culture of creativity, quality, and exceptional execution.
• Manage all operational aspects of the catering department, including staffing, logistics, budget, and resource allocation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure seamless event delivery.
• Oversee quality control for all food and beverage offerings, presentation, and service standards.
• Continuously research and implement new culinary techniques, presentation styles, and sustainability practices.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Strategic thinking

Staff management

Job description

About the Role

Our client is searching for a visionary Creative Catering Director to lead and innovate their culinary offerings in Durban. This role is responsible for conceptualizing unique event experiences, driving menu development with a focus on culinary excellence and presentation, and managing the overall catering department to achieve outstanding client satisfaction. You will be instrumental in shaping the brand's gastronomic identity, ensuring it remains at the forefront of the catering industry in KwaZulu-Natal. This is a strategic position for a leader passionate about food, design, and client service.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute creative catering concepts and menus that align with market trends and client desires.
• Lead and inspire the culinary and service teams, fostering a culture of creativity, quality, and exceptional execution.
• Manage all operational aspects of the catering department, including staffing, logistics, budget, and resource allocation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure seamless event delivery.
• Oversee quality control for all food and beverage offerings, presentation, and service standards.
• Continuously research and implement new culinary techniques, presentation styles, and sustainability practices.

Requirements

• Extensive experience (7+ years) in a senior leadership role within the catering or luxury hospitality sector.
• Demonstrated success in creative menu development and high-end event execution.
• Strong understanding of food trends, dietary needs, and sustainable culinary practices.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• A proven ability to manage complex operations and inspire a team to deliver excellence.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Opportunity to lead creative innovation in a thriving market.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources.
• Significant impact on brand positioning and client satisfaction.
• Supportive leadership and a collaborative company culture.