Catering Manager

ISS • Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Catering Manager builds a dynamic catering team, develops, and ensures completion of the strategic business plan for the account, and oversees all aspects of profitability and service within the catering department. This role involves collaborating throughout the client organization, coordinating activities with other internal departments, interfacing with vendors and key service users, and coordinating with clients regarding inquiries for hosting high-end or large/custom events. The manager is responsible for setting sanitation standards, leading the department in workplace and food safety, ensuring compliance with ServSafe and HACCP programs, and managing all catering team members and functions. They will also develop team members, deliver consistent quality in event planning and execution, develop and execute strategies to achieve revenue forecasts, manage catering budgets, ensure accurate financial reporting, build professional relationships with key site service users, and lead client-specific initiatives with measurable success targets.

Requirements

• Well organized with outstanding coordination and multitasking ability.
• Able to communicate up, down and across the organization to ensure success.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service; up to and including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Intermediate skill level using Google applications (Gmail, docs, sheets, slides, hangouts, etc.) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Reliable, responsible, dependable, and capable of fulfilling obligations and has a deep desire to anticipate, engage and satisfy customer needs.
• Uses a systematic approach to problem-solving.
• Always promotes positive guest and co-worker relationships.
• Can calmly and effectively adapt to constructive feedback in high-stress environments.
• 3+ years of work experience in a similar role (e.g., Catering Supervisor or Catering Manager).
• Experience in financial analysis, planning, budgeting, and marketing.
• Experience managing other managers including culinary leaders.
• ServSafe Manager certification.
• Demonstrates experience using basic computer software.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills.
• Can effectively communicate and relate to all levels within and outside the organization.
• Creates and builds positive and productive relationships.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 25lbs.
• Employee must be able to work under pressure and time deadlines during peak periods.
• Prolonged periods of walking or standing.
• Adherence to Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ) policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Hospitality, Food Service Management, or similar ideal.
• Previous knowledge of CaterTrax or a similar catering software and Google Suite a plus.
• Previous P&L accountability or contract-managed service experience is desirable.
• Hotel multi-unit catering experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Builds a dynamic catering team, develops, and ensures completion of the strategic business plan for the account.
• Oversees all aspects of profitability and service within the catering department.
• Collaborates throughout the client organization with individuals who play a role in the success of the catering department.
• Coordinates activities with other internal departments and participates in/leads management team meetings.
• Interfaces with vendors and key service users within client organizations.
• Coordinates with clients regarding inquiries for hosting high-end or large/custom events.
• Sets standards and accountability measures around sanitation for the operation while working with other unit leaders to immediately correct deficiencies.
• Leads the department to follow all workplace and food safety rules to actively prevent accidents.
• Ensures the team complies with all ServSafe and HACCP programs and principles.
• Responsible for all catering team members and functions including the smooth execution of the Catering Standard Operating Procedures.
• Builds a dynamic catering team and ensures new team members are on-boarded and trained for success.
• Develops team members into high performing individuals by providing constructive feedback and the opportunity to engage in a personal development plan.
• Delivers consistent quality in planning and execution of VIP and complex events.
• Develops and executes strategies to achieve catering revenue forecasts.
• Develops and manages all aspects of the catering budgets; reviews financial reports and takes corrective actions as appropriate to ensure budget goals are met.
• Ensures accurate reporting of all catering related revenue, expenses, and receivables.
• Builds professional relationships with key site service users to instill confidence and build organizational trust.
• Leads in the coordination, execution, and measurement of client specific initiatives.
• Creates measurable success targets for the team along with a path to achieve them.
• Adheres to Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ) policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Comprehensive leave program based on employment status

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager