Remote Catering Operations Lead

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Home office setup allowance

Professional development allowance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly organized Remote Catering Operations Lead to oversee and optimize operational strategies for virtual catering services.

You will manage a distributed team, coordinate remote events, and drive efficiency, quality, and client satisfaction across nationwide engagements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Hospitality Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in catering operations management, event logistics, or a related field, with significant remote team management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the remote operational team, setting performance goals and providing ongoing support and training.
• Develop, implement, and refine operational processes and workflows to ensure maximum efficiency and quality for virtual catering events.
• Oversee the end-to-end coordination of catering logistics for remote events, including vendor management, delivery coordination, and quality control.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, areas for improvement, and opportunities for cost optimization.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and culinary teams to ensure seamless client experiences and align operations with business objectives.
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiating contracts and ensuring timely and quality delivery of goods and services.
• Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) for operational success and report on performance to senior management.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and food handling regulations, adapted for remote service delivery models.
• Drive innovation in remote catering operations, exploring new technologies and service delivery models.
• Act as a primary point of contact for escalated operational issues, ensuring prompt and effective resolution.

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking virtual catering solutions provider, is seeking a highly organized and results-driven Remote Catering Operations Lead to manage and optimize their operational strategies from anywhere. This fully remote role is critical for ensuring the efficiency, quality, and client satisfaction of our innovative catering services. You will be responsible for overseeing the coordination of virtual events, managing supplier relationships, streamlining logistical processes, and leading a distributed team of operational staff. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of catering operations and event management principles, all applied within a remote-first framework. Your expertise will be instrumental in scaling our operations and delivering exceptional culinary experiences to clients nationwide. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of remote catering operations and drive excellence from afar.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the remote operational team, setting performance goals and providing ongoing support and training.
• Develop, implement, and refine operational processes and workflows to ensure maximum efficiency and quality for virtual catering events.
• Oversee the end-to-end coordination of catering logistics for remote events, including vendor management, delivery coordination, and quality control.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, areas for improvement, and opportunities for cost optimization.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and culinary teams to ensure seamless client experiences and align operations with business objectives.
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiating contracts and ensuring timely and quality delivery of goods and services.
• Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) for operational success and report on performance to senior management.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and food handling regulations, adapted for remote service delivery models.
• Drive innovation in remote catering operations, exploring new technologies and service delivery models.
• Act as a primary point of contact for escalated operational issues, ensuring prompt and effective resolution.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in catering operations management, event logistics, or a related field, with a significant portion focused on remote or distributed team management.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex operational processes and driving efficiency improvements.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to effectively lead and motivate a remote workforce.
• Excellent understanding of supply chain management, vendor relations, and quality assurance.
• Proficiency in using project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Slack, Zoom).
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, capable of building rapport virtually.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage time effectively in a remote work environment.
• Experience with virtual event platforms and technologies is a significant advantage.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Hospitality Management, or a related field is preferred.

Benefits

• This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere.
• Our client provides a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• A generous allowance for home office setup and professional development is provided.
• You will have the opportunity to work with a dynamic, innovative company at the forefront of the virtual catering industry and contribute to its strategic growth.