Catering - Associate
About The Position
SSA Group is hiring seasonal Catering Associates at the Los Angeles Zoo. The role supports catered events by delivering welcoming guest and client experiences, helping ensure the quality and availability of products, and carrying out event setup, execution, breakdown, and cleanup. Associates perform front-of-house, back-of-house, and side-work duties as assigned; communicate menu and food-service knowledge; assist with rental orders and catering items; and help resolve event issues. The position requires a professional, approachable manner, clear communication with leaders, urgency, and maintaining a clean, safe, and organized work environment. Associates also support inclusive team practices, sustainability and conservation efforts, and community engagement. The role may involve varied hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and physical work such as standing for extended periods and moving boxes weighing up to 35 pounds.
Requirements
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate with clients, the General Manager, and headquarters personnel.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills and the ability to stay organized.
- Ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to operate all equipment necessary to perform job duties.
- Ability to stand for extended periods and move and handle boxes weighing up to 35 pounds, including lifting and performing the role’s listed functions.
- Ability to work varied hours and days, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
Nice To Haves
- Catering and/or event industry experience is a plus.
Responsibilities
- Deliver warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for guests and clients.
- Oversee product quality, product levels, and inventory.
- Respond to guest needs promptly and efficiently and resolve complaints effectively.
- Set up, execute, break down, and clean up catered events to expectations.
- Perform assigned front-of-house, back-of-house, and side-work duties for banquet events.
- Demonstrate knowledge of menus, food presentation, and food-service techniques with guest service in mind.
- Perform manual labor as required, including equipment storage and event setup and teardown of tables and chairs.
- Support placement, movement, and storage of rental orders, buffet cards, and catering items.
- Support Catering Supervisors and the Catering Operations Manager with event problems and creative solutions.
- Maintain a friendly and approachable attitude toward clients, guests, and staff.
- Communicate clearly and openly with leaders.
- Maintain a sense of urgency and a professional appearance and manner.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
- Understand and uphold company policies and procedures.
- Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the team and help remove barriers and empower team members.
- Demonstrate sustainability and conservation efforts, and support teaching unit staff about those efforts as appropriate.
- Engage with SSA and the unit in community activities and opportunities to give back.
- Perform other tasks as necessary.
Benefits
- Eligible for overtime pay.
- On-Demand Pay Program providing access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
- Meal plan and employee discounts at applicable locations.
- 401(k) program with a 15% company match, subject to eligibility requirements.
- Tuition discount through a partner college.
- Up to 8 hours of bereavement leave.
- Holiday pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
- Paid sick leave in accordance with applicable state and local laws.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
