Catering Coordinator

Hy-Vee, Inc.•West Des Moines, IA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Catering Coordinator owns the full catering experience, from meeting with customers and preparing detailed orders to coordinating with departments such as the kitchen, bakery, and deli to ensure events run smoothly. The role serves customers planning weddings, holiday gatherings, corporate events, and other celebrations, while supporting the department’s service, operational, and profitability goals. The coordinator may contact prospective customers and businesses, develop contracts for exclusive catering events, organize store shows, advise customers about rental companies, and recommend equipment purchases with Store Director approval. The position also supports department employees and maintains product quality, competitive pricing, and adherence to company policies and safety standards. This is a fast-paced retail and catering role with frequent exposure to noise and occasional exposure to equipment movement, temperature extremes, dirt, and cleaning chemicals or solvents. Training is provided to support a safe work environment. 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 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 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.
Frequently stand and walk throughout a shift in sales, food service, or delivery areas.
Perform repetitive standing, walking, reaching, and bending related to order fulfillment, POS transactions, and cleaning and sanitation duties.
Where applicable, safely use sharp knives and blades for food preparation.
Where applicable, work around heat and burn hazards associated with cooking, baking, or grilling equipment.
Where applicable, 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, write detailed orders, and coordinate with involved departments, including 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, including 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 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.