Catering Coordinator

Hy-Vee, Inc.•Council Bluffs, IA

About The Position

The Catering Coordinator manages the customer catering experience, from understanding customer needs and preparing detailed orders to coordinating with departments such as the kitchen, bakery, and deli to ensure successful events. The role serves customers planning events ranging from weddings and holiday gatherings to corporate functions and everyday celebrations. The coordinator helps establish department standards and practices, supports customer service and profitability, develops business for Hy-Vee catering, and oversees pricing, billing, bookkeeping, quality control, event displays, and employee work coordination. The position reports to store leadership and works in a fast-paced retail and catering environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent experience.
1 to 3 years of similar or related work experience.
Ability to solve practical problems and handle complex situations with professionalism and good judgment.
Clear and confident communication with customers, team members, and outside vendors in person, by phone, and in writing.
Ability to compose original correspondence and follow technical manuals and guidelines.
Math skills, including working with fractions, decimals, and percentages for pricing and invoicing.
Ability to lead and motivate a team while maintaining high standards and a positive, energetic work environment.
Ability to frequently stand and walk throughout a shift in sales, food service, or delivery areas.
Ability to perform repetitive standing, walking, reaching, and bending associated with order fulfillment, POS transactions, and cleaning and sanitation duties.
Where applicable, ability to safely use sharp knives and blades for food preparation.
Where applicable, ability to work around heat- and burn-related hazards from cooking, baking, or grilling equipment.
Where applicable, ability to operate a delivery vehicle in accordance with applicable DOT standards.
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen is required for employment.

Responsibilities

Provide prompt, friendly customer service and make every customer interaction positive.
Meet with customers to understand catering needs, prepare detailed orders, and coordinate with all involved departments, including the kitchen, bakery, and deli.
Set and uphold department standards for customer service, employee relations, cleanliness, sanitation, professional appearance, and profitability.
Contact businesses and prospective customers about Hy-Vee catering services and develop contracts for exclusive catering events.
Determine pricing, prepare customer bills, extend and post invoices, and oversee department bookkeeping procedures.
Develop and maintain standard catering practices and conduct quality-control checks for multi-event catering.
Organize store shows and events, set up displays, and coordinate annual events with the events coordinator.
Consult with customers about rental companies and recommend equipment purchases, subject to Store Director approval.
Maintain proper product temperatures and storage procedures to ensure freshness and control shrink.
Develop department performance guidelines in the manager's absence and instruct, assign, and coordinate department employees' work.
Attend department manager meetings, obtain baseline pricing, and ensure pricing is competitive in the market area.
Understand and troubleshoot equipment and ensure maintenance is performed as needed.
Follow personal hygiene and dress standards, Hy-Vee policies, and store guidelines.
Answer phone calls and return voicemails promptly and professionally.
Report to work as scheduled and work the expected number of hours.