Catering - Manager

Bristol Farms•Santa Barbara, CA

About The Position

The Catering Manager is a sales-oriented role responsible for coordinating catering operations and staff, promoting catering services, developing customer relationships, and planning catered events. The manager coordinates Bristol Farms employees and contract laborers involved in taking orders, producing and delivering food, and executing events. The role also supports kitchen production and delivery work as needed, including driving a catering van when authorized. The position oversees day-to-day training, scheduling, food quality and sanitation, pricing, costs, customer service, and compliance with company and applicable safety and liquor regulations. The manager supervises the Catering Coordinator and other staff, and is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Catering Department. The work environment is usually moderately noisy and occasionally loud.

Requirements

Experience and background as a lead caterer or as a manager in another food service industry, such as hotels, country clubs, gourmet markets, or restaurants.
One-year college or technical school certificate and at least two years of related work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid California Driver License and excellent driving record.
Approval from the Human Resources Department to drive a company van.
Ability to speak, read, and understand English.
Ability to read and interpret English documents such as procedure manuals, safety rules, and operating and maintenance instructions.
Ability to write simple correspondence and effectively present information one-on-one and in small groups.
Ability to perform arithmetic using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, and calculate discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, and volume.
Ability to follow written, oral, or diagrammed instructions, analyze situations, implement solutions, and resolve conflicts constructively.
Excellent communication skills, high stamina, a people-oriented approach, and the ability to communicate warmly with different personality types.
Enjoyment of customer contact, soliciting new clients, and building long-term customer relationships.

Responsibilities

Lead by example and model adherence to company policies and procedures.
Compile prospective customer lists and solicit orders by contacting regular and prospective customers in the assigned territory, with required Store Director coordination and approval.
Maintain accurate customer records and order files, keeping all orders on file for one year.
Coordinate customer communications, including thank-you cards and flyers, with the Corporate Business Services Representative.
Coordinate with Catering Coordinators, Production Supervisors, and Drivers to meet delivery and pickup times.
Drive a catering van for deliveries as needed, subject to required approvals, and load and unload food and equipment.
Assist with kitchen production and delivery driving as needed.
Maintain clean and sanitary work areas; use authorized cleaning chemicals properly; and follow FIFO, food covering, labeling, dating, and leftover-use procedures.
Inspect food and food preparation, including measuring temperatures, to meet FDA, local health department, and Bristol Farms standards.
Follow safety work standards, report hazards, investigate accidents, and ensure reports and investigations comply with Cal-OSHA SB198 requirements.
Coordinate food ordering with the Catering Coordinator, Food Service Manager, Catering Production Supervisor, outside vendors, and the in-house Central Kitchen.
Ensure catering orders are accurately priced at a 30% food cost and obtain corporate approval and accurate pricing for custom recipes.
Maintain communication with Deli, Restaurant, Catering, and Cheese teams to support customer satisfaction.
Train catering staff in equipment use, sales, food preparation and presentation, delivery, record keeping and billing, reporting, personnel matters, and scheduling.
Follow and enforce liquor laws, verify acceptable identification, and ensure alcohol is served only to people aged 21 or older; ensure servers of alcoholic beverages are at least 18.
Coordinate menus, table and equipment layouts, rentals, outside staffing, service and chef itineraries, order lists, floral arrangements, and other requested services.
Prepare weekly schedules and direct catering employees and contract laborers, placing staff according to expected business levels in coordination with the Store Director and Food Service Manager.
Plan events according to customer needs and provide samples to support sales.
Maintain food service gross margin and manage food service labor and costs.
Promote Catering Department services and participate in or supervise outside events, including company donations, as needed.
Investigate and resolve food quality and service complaints to retain customer satisfaction and repeat business.
Provide friendly, flexible customer service and meet Bristol Farms standards for food, service, quality, cleanliness, employee service standards, and appearance.
Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the Catering Department; supervise the Catering Coordinator and 2–6 nonsupervisory staff members.
Carry out supervisory duties, including interviewing, hiring, training, assigning and directing work, evaluating performance, proposing performance-supported salary increases, rewarding and disciplining employees, and resolving complaints and problems.