Catering Lead

Panera Bread® • Palatine, IL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Panera Bread Catering Lead with Hamra Enterprises, you will provide customer service, support catering operations, and help serve local communities. The role requires thorough knowledge of the Panera menu and ensuring catering food is delivered accurately and on time. You will communicate with customers to understand their needs and support their satisfaction, while working as a team player committed to quality service, craftsmanship, and continuous learning.

The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, with hours between 5:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; hours may vary with business needs. Occasional nights, weekends, and holidays may be required. Responsibilities include sales building and retention, guest relationship building, order follow-up, food and order production, preparation, pre-staging, delivery, and café support. A valid driver's license, personal vehicle, and acceptable driving record are required for catering deliveries.

The position involves frequent movement around the restaurant and the ability to stand for up to 12 hours. Duties may involve using a register, slicer, knives, scissors, other machinery, and a computer; occasionally using a step ladder; repeatedly stooping or kneeling; communicating with employees and guests; reading monitors, menus, and learning systems; and frequently moving products, dishes, or boxes weighing up to 50 pounds. The role includes exposure to low temperatures in walk-in freezers and coolers and high heat in ovens.

Requirements

• Minimum age of 18.
• Strong communication and people skills.
• Email and IT savvy.
• A valid driver's license for delivery of catering orders.
• Must have own vehicle and an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to perform job duties with reasonable or no accommodations, including standing for up to 12 hours, moving around the restaurant, handling equipment and food, communicating and reading required materials, and frequently moving items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Food service or retail experience preferred.

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 accurately and on time.
• Provide café support.
• Communicate with customers to understand their needs and support satisfaction.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of the Panera menu.
• Work as a team player and pursue continuous learning.

Benefits

• Tips in addition to hourly wage.
• DailyPay access.
• Recruiting bonus of $100–$1,500 for each referred hire.
• Meal discounts: 50% off on days worked and 15% off at Hamra-owned Panera Bread, Wendy's, or Noodles & Company locations on days off.
• Paid vacation time accrual program.
• Paid sick time, accruing one hour for every 30 hours worked.
• Education program with paid homework time and bonuses 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 period may apply.
• Opportunities for internal career growth and promotion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed