Catering Coordinator

Hy-Vee•Ames, IA

11d

About The Position

The Catering Coordinator manages the full catering experience, including meeting with customers, preparing detailed orders, coordinating with departments such as the kitchen, bakery, and deli, and ensuring events are delivered successfully. The role provides customer service, supports catering sales and event planning, oversees pricing, billing, invoices, and bookkeeping, and helps maintain department standards, quality, freshness, and profitability. The coordinator also organizes store shows and events, supports department employees, and maintains equipment and operational procedures. This is a fast-paced role in a retail and catering environment. The position frequently involves standing and walking throughout the shift and may involve food-preparation tools, cooking equipment, or delivery vehicles where applicable. The work environment includes frequent noise and occasional exposure to equipment movement, temperature extremes, dirt, and cleaning chemicals or solvents. Safety training is provided. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.

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, 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 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.

Responsibilities

Provide prompt, friendly customer service and make each customer interaction positive.
Meet with customers to understand catering needs, write detailed orders, and coordinate with 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 to promote 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, such as bridal and holiday shows; set up displays and coordinate annual events with the events coordinator.
Consult with customers about rental companies and recommend equipment purchases with Store Director approval.
Ensure proper temperatures and storage procedures are maintained to preserve product 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 competitive pricing 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.