Director of Catering Operations (Remote)

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level benefits package

Fully remote work arrangement

Home office setup allowance

Performance-based bonus

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa seeks a Director of Catering Operations to lead its national catering platform from a fully remote position. You will oversee all facets of operations, including strategic planning, P&L accountability, and client satisfaction across locations, while driving revenue growth and service excellence.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in large-scale catering or hospitality, strong leadership, and proven track record with remote teams.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership in large-scale catering or hospitality operations.
• Proven P&L management experience and understanding of financial drivers.
• Experience developing and executing strategic operational plans.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
• Experience managing remote teams and distributed operations.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or related field; MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic operational plans to achieve company objectives and growth targets.
• Oversee and manage the P&L for all catering operations, ensuring profitability and financial health.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of regional operations managers and directors.
• Establish and enforce operational policies, procedures, and quality standards across locations.
• Drive innovation in service delivery, menu development, and operational efficiency.
• Manage vendor relationships and procurement strategies to optimize costs and quality.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor industry trends to identify opportunities and challenges.
• Develop and manage annual operating budgets, forecasting, and resource allocation.

Skills

Leadership

P&L management

Strategic planning

Team building

Operations management

Remote leadership

Food safety & compliance

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's in Hospitality Management

MBA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Forecasting tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a national leader in innovative catering solutions, is seeking a strategic and visionary Director of Catering Operations to lead their expanding operations. This is a fully remote position, offering the opportunity to drive excellence from anywhere. You will be responsible for overseeing all facets of catering operations across multiple locations, including strategic planning, financial management, operational efficiency, and team leadership. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in large-scale catering management, a proven track record of P&L responsibility, and exceptional leadership skills. You will focus on optimizing processes, implementing best practices, driving revenue growth, and ensuring the highest standards of client satisfaction. This role demands a results-oriented leader who can inspire teams, foster innovation, and manage complex operations in a distributed environment. As the Director, you will play a critical role in shaping the future strategy and success of our client's catering services, impacting their reach from Mahikeng, North West , to every corner of the country.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic operational plans to achieve company objectives and growth targets.
• Oversee and manage the P&L for all catering operations, ensuring profitability and financial health.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of regional operations managers and catering directors.
• Establish and enforce operational policies, procedures, and quality standards across all locations.
• Drive innovation in service delivery, menu development, and operational efficiency.
• Manage vendor relationships and procurement strategies to optimize costs and quality.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor industry trends and competitive landscape to identify opportunities and challenges.
• Develop and manage annual operating budgets, forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and client-centric service.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in large-scale catering or hospitality operations.
• Proven P&L management experience and a strong understanding of financial drivers.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic operational plans.
• Exceptional leadership, team-building, and communication skills.
• Experience managing remote teams and driving performance in a distributed organization.
• Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance.
• Proficiency in operational analysis, process improvement, and technology adoption.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• Ability to travel occasionally for site visits and team meetings as needed.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and executive-level benefits package.
• Fully remote work arrangement with significant autonomy.
• Opportunity to lead and shape the future of a national catering organization.
• Significant impact on business growth and strategic direction.
• Allowance for home office setup and professional development.
• Performance-based bonus structure.