Catering Lead

Panera Bread®•Geneva, IL

About The Position

As a Panera Bread Catering Lead with Hamra Enterprises, you will provide customer service, help grow the business, and serve local communities. You will maintain thorough knowledge of the Panera menu and ensure catering food is delivered accurately and on time. The role involves communicating with customers to understand their needs and support their satisfaction, providing quality service and products, and working as part of a team with a commitment to continuous learning. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, with hours between 5:00 AM and 2:00 PM; hours may vary based on business needs. Occasional nights, weekends, and holidays may be required. The position includes catering and café work, including order follow-up, food production, preparation, staging, and delivery. The physical requirements include standing for up to 12 hours; moving around the restaurant; using hands and operating equipment such as registers, slicers, knives, scissors, machinery, and computers; occasionally using a step ladder; frequent bending, kneeling, or crouching; communicating with employees and guests; reading monitors, menus, and learning systems; and frequently moving products, dishes, and boxes weighing up to 50 pounds. The role involves regular exposure to low temperatures in walk-in freezers and coolers and high heat in ovens.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
Strong communication and people skills.
Email and IT savvy.
A valid driver's license is required to deliver catering orders.
Must have a personal vehicle and an acceptable driving record.
Must be able to meet the stated physical demands with reasonable or no accommodations, including standing for up to 12 hours and frequently moving items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Food service or retail experience.

Responsibilities

Build sales and retain customers.
Build guest relationships.
Make follow-up calls about orders before and after fulfillment.
Produce food and catering orders.
Prepare food and orders.
Pre-stage orders.
Deliver catering orders.
Provide café support.
Maintain thorough knowledge of the Panera menu.
Ensure food is delivered accurately and on time.
Communicate appropriately with customers to understand their needs and ensure satisfaction.
Provide quality service and products while working as a team player and continuing to learn.

Benefits

Tips in addition to hourly wages.
DailyPay.
Recruiting bonuses of $100–$1,500 for referred hires.
Meal discounts: 50% off on workdays and 15% off at Hamra-owned Panera Bread, Wendy's, or Noodles & Company locations on days off.
Paid vacation time through an accrual program.
Paid sick time accrued at one hour for every 30 hours worked.
Education program offering paid homework time and bonuses of up to $600 per school year for good grades.
Employee Emergency Fund.
Voluntary medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, and HSA with employer contribution; waiting periods may apply.
Opportunities for internal career growth and promotion.