Remote Executive Catering Operations Manager

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Fully remote work

Autonomy & flexibility

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Executive Catering Operations Manager to oversee distributed teams and optimize service delivery across South Africa. You will drive scalability, sustainability, and client satisfaction while managing budgets and safety compliance.

The role emphasizes asynchronous communication, data-driven decision making, and collaboration with sales and events teams to ensure feasible, high-quality catering solutions for diverse clients and high-profile events.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive catering operations experience.
• Proven track record leading remote teams in hospitality or catering.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, sanitation standards, and best practices.
• Financial acumen with budgeting, cost control, and P&L management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and remote-management skills.
• Experience with catering management software and digital collaboration tools.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic operational plans to optimize service delivery across regions.
• Mentor and manage a remote team of catering staff, ensuring standards.
• Oversee inventory, procurement, and supply chain logistics to minimize waste.
• Collaborate with sales/event planning to assess feasibility of catering solutions.
• Implement quality control measures and gather client feedback for improvements.
• Oversee budgets, financial reporting, and P&L for operations.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and hygiene regulations.
• Build strong supplier relationships and negotiate favorable terms.
• Leverage technology to enhance remote communication and oversight.
• Analyze performance data to identify trends and interventions.

Skills

Remote leadership

Catering operations

Food safety (HACCP)

Budgeting & P&L

Team management

Digital collaboration tools

Catering software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management

Tools

Catering management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in innovative event catering solutions, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Remote Executive Catering Operations Manager to oversee and enhance their operational efficiency across diverse virtual and physical platforms. This is a critical remote-first position that demands exceptional organizational skills, a keen eye for detail, and a proactive approach to managing a distributed team. You will be instrumental in driving service excellence and ensuring seamless execution of catering services, regardless of physical location. The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and possesses a deep understanding of modern catering trends and logistical challenges. This role offers the flexibility of working from anywhere within South Africa, with a strong emphasis on asynchronous communication and results-oriented performance. You will play a pivotal part in shaping the future of our client's catering services, focusing on scalability, sustainability, and client satisfaction. Your expertise will directly impact the success of high-profile events and ongoing catering contracts.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic operational plans to optimize catering service delivery across all designated regions, focusing on efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Manage and mentor a remote team of catering staff, ensuring adherence to service standards, food safety protocols, and client expectations.
• Oversee inventory management, procurement processes, and supply chain logistics to ensure optimal resource allocation and minimize waste.
• Collaborate with sales and event planning teams to provide operational insights and ensure feasibility of proposed catering solutions.
• Implement and monitor quality control measures, gathering client feedback to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage budgets, financial reporting, and P&L for catering operations, identifying opportunities for revenue enhancement and cost reduction.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and hygiene regulations relevant to the food service industry.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors, negotiating favorable terms and ensuring reliable service.
• Utilize technology and digital tools to enhance communication, collaboration, and operational oversight within the remote team structure.
• Analyze operational data and performance metrics to identify trends, bottlenecks, and areas for strategic intervention.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in catering operations management, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record of successfully managing remote teams and operations in the hospitality or catering industry.
• Exceptional understanding of food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP), sanitation standards, and best practices in catering.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in budgeting, cost control, and P&L management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and manage diverse teams remotely.
• Proficiency in using catering management software, inventory systems, and digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Trello, Asana).
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and solve complex operational problems in a remote setting.
• Adaptability and resilience, with a commitment to continuous learning and professional development in the evolving catering landscape.
• Must be based in South Africa and have reliable internet connectivity.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and the remote nature of the role.
• Opportunity to lead and shape the operational strategy of a growing catering business.
• Significant autonomy and flexibility afforded by a fully remote work environment.
• Professional development opportunities and support for continuous learning.
• Be part of a forward-thinking company committed to innovation in the catering sector.