Catering Coordinator

Hy-Vee, Inc.•West Des Moines, IA

About The Position

The Catering Coordinator manages the customer catering experience, from discussing event needs and preparing detailed orders to coordinating with departments such as the kitchen, bakery, and deli. The role supports events ranging from weddings and holiday gatherings to corporate functions and everyday celebrations, while promoting Hy-Vee catering services and helping ensure events are completed successfully. The coordinator establishes and maintains department standards and practices, supports employees, manages pricing, billing, invoices, and bookkeeping, and performs quality control across catering events. The position also organizes store shows and events, advises customers about rental companies, helps maintain product freshness and equipment, and supports competitive pricing. The role reports to the Store Director, Store Manager, and Assistant Managers of Store Operations, Perishables, and Health Wellness Home, and has department employees as direct reports.

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 hazards from cooking, baking, or grilling equipment.
Where applicable, ability to operate a delivery vehicle in accordance with applicable DOT standards.

Responsibilities

Provide prompt, friendly customer service and make customer interactions positive.
Meet with customers to understand catering needs, prepare detailed orders, and coordinate with the kitchen, bakery, deli, and other involved departments.
Set and uphold 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, 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.
Ensure proper product temperatures and storage procedures to maintain 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.