Catering Operations Manager

Compass Group•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Catering Operations Manager leads catering execution in a fast-paced tech environment, supporting operational readiness and delivering seamless, high-quality experiences Monday through Friday. This role oversees daily catering operations, partners closely with culinary and workplace teams, and helps ensure meetings and events are consistently well-executed, organized, and aligned with service standards. The position entails a need for excellent attention to detail and communication skills, the ability to multi-task on a variety of projects simultaneously, and accurate distribution of pertinent information both internally to all departments as well as to clients and related vendors. The manager is also expected to have excellent client skills in presentation and marketing ability.

Requirements

Operationally savvy industry professional with demonstrated leadership in managing people, events and the overall guest experience
Strong organization, time management and team motivation skills are essential for success in this role
Ability to work independently with little direct supervision
Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written) with clients, senior management, and WPC support staff
Ability to respond effectively to continuously changing demands
Demonstrated experience in budgeting, P&L, labor and sales forecasting and reporting
Effective use of discretion to problem solve in a fast-paced environment
Excellent negotiating skills
Ability to establish credibility with senior culinary professionals
Human Resource experience including hiring, training, mentoring and development
3-5 years’ experience in a hospitality management environment (preferably in an off-premise catering environment)
The ability to manage in an environment with focus on client service, entrepreneurship and building and growing a strong business

Responsibilities

Consults clients as to scope, expectations, setting, menu, collateral entertainment to have a successful and appropriate event within the client’s budget
Plans menus in consultation with the clients and chefs
Negotiates individual vendor contracts
Delegates to, and ensure that, the Event Manager coordinates and executes the event within the parameters established by the Catering Event Manager
Recruits, interviews, selects, and trains permanent and casual staff
Organizes, leads and motivates the catering team
Plans staff and event schedules
Maintains and develops accurate financial and administrative records
Serves as liaison and coordinator between Sales Catering Managers, Supervising Chefs, Staffing, Captains, Suppliers, Vendors, Rental Companies and Clients as needed to plan events
Assesses contract requirements and ensure satisfaction with the services delivered
Performs final review and assessment of catering events to determine if they meet performance and quality standards
Resolves customer concerns and ensures timely customer payment