Remote Catering Service Director

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive bonus

Remote work

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous PTO & holidays

Leadership training & development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Catering Service Director to define and lead the entire catering division from a remote-first environment. The executive will set strategy, drive operational excellence, and ensure top-tier client satisfaction nationwide.

With 8+ years in senior catering/hospitality leadership, you will manage budgets, mentor distributed teams, and innovate service offerings while ensuring strict compliance with food safety standards.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred
• Minimum 8 years of progressive leadership experience in catering/hospitality, with remote/distributed teams
• Proven strategic planning, operational management, and financial oversight (P&L)
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to drive innovation and implement change effectively
• Deep knowledge of food safety standards and regulatory compliance
• Experience with advanced event management and catering software solutions
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven decision making
• Comfort working in a remote-first organizational structure

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan for all catering services
• Oversee catering operations including menu engineering, quality control, and service delivery standards
• Manage financial performance including budgeting, forecasting, and P&L responsibility
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a distributed team of catering professionals
• Drive innovation in menu development, service offerings, and operational efficiency
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and food hygiene regulations across all operations
• Cultivate relationships with clients, partners and vendors
• Analyze market trends and competitive landscapes for growth opportunities
• Implement and refine standard operating procedures for consistency and excellence

Skills

Strategic leadership

P&L management

Remote team leadership

Stakeholder management

Operational excellence

Budgeting & forecasting

Data-driven decisions

Food safety knowledge

Communication

Change management

Vendor management

Education

Master's degree in Hospitality Management

Tools

Catering software solutions

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an accomplished and strategic Remote Catering Service Director to lead and shape their entire catering service offering from a remote-first environment. This executive role is responsible for developing and implementing the overarching strategy for catering services, ensuring operational excellence, driving innovation, and maintaining the highest standards of client satisfaction across all service lines. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in senior leadership within the catering or hospitality industry, with proven experience in managing complex operations, P&L responsibility, and team development, all within a remote or hybrid framework. You will be instrumental in defining the future of our client's catering services, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and exceptional delivery for clients nationwide. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact from anywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan for all catering services, aligning with company objectives.
• Oversee all aspects of catering operations, including menu engineering, quality control, and service delivery standards.
• Manage the financial performance of the catering division, including budgeting, forecasting, and P&L responsibility.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a distributed team of catering professionals, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Drive innovation in menu development, service offerings, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure strict compliance with all health, safety, and food hygiene regulations across all operational areas.
• Cultivate strong relationships with key clients, partners, and vendors.
• Analyze market trends and competitive landscapes to identify new opportunities for growth.
• Implement and refine standard operating procedures to ensure consistency and excellence in service delivery.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive leadership experience in the catering or hospitality industry, with significant experience managing remote or distributed teams.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, operational management, and financial oversight (P&L).
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to drive innovation and implement change effectively.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety standards and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with advanced event management and catering software solutions.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Comfort and proficiency in working effectively within a remote-first organizational structure.

Benefits

• Executive-level compensation package, including performance-based bonuses.
• Opportunity to shape the strategic direction of a leading catering service.
• Ultimate flexibility with a fully remote work arrangement.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Professional development opportunities and leadership training programs.