Supervisor - Catering Operations & Logistics

United Airlines•Dulles, VA

About The Position

Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network. Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together. Description Why Inflight Services? Our customers choose United because of our dedication to safety and passion for service. United's Inflight Services team is made up of diverse, driven individuals working together to Connect People and Unite the World. From operational leadership and crew planning to safety and service procedures, our Inflight Services team provides the innovative approaches, tools, training and guidance needed for our flight attendants to deliver the best possible customer experience, and aid in our mission to become the best airline in the history of aviation. Job overview and responsibilities The Catering Operations Supervisor serves as Manager on Duty (MOD), providing frontline oversight of catering kitchen operations during assigned shifts. This role ensures safe, timely, and high-quality execution of meal production and aircraft departures while coordinating real-time operational changes. This is a hands-on leadership role suited for an early-career operations professional with 2-3 years of experience in a fast-paced, shift-based environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or 4 years of relevant work experience
Business, Operations, Finance or Related Fields
Minimum 2 years equivalent or similar work experience
Strong decision-making and communication skills
Ability to work flexible schedule to cover operationally critical days of week, rotating shifts, weekends, (required to work 1 weekend day) holidays
Advanced skills in Microsoft Office suite
Must possess exceptional planning and organizational skills, along with strong written and oral communication skills
Proven track record to work independently, in controlled and uncontrolled operation environments, and in a team environment
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering
Safety Management systems
HACCP, PCQI or equivalent food safety certificates
Lean Six Sigman Green Belt certification
Process Improvement experience
Manufacturing Process experience
Vendor Management/Performance experience
Prior team lead or supervisory experience

Responsibilities

Embedded in caterer operation to monitor daily performance and address delays, service issues, and safety incidents to mitigate risk to United’s operation
Serve as MOD, overseeing vendor kitchen operations during assigned shifts, with routine driving between catering facilities and on-airport presence
Ensure production readiness, food safety and safety compliance, quality standards, and on-time departures
Develop clear communication channels with vendor caterer and United operational teams
Coordinate IRROPS event response in real time
Complete required reporting and escalate operational risks as needed
Lead root cause reviews and support corrective actions in partnership with corporate and catering safety & food safety teams
Conduct regular audits ensuring compliance with Catering Operations Business Manual, United Airlines Safety Standards, and other regulatory requirements
Support investigations into safety incidents including corrective action planning
Facilitate partnership with United Airlines Food Safety and operational Safety/Security teams
Promote safety awareness and ensure regulatory and food safety compliance
Serve as a supporting liaison between Catering vendor and local airport personnel including Inflight, Airport Operations and other similar groups
Support meetings, channels of communication and other forums for robust information sharing and planning at the local level
Serve as point of escalation and support for Catering vendors
Serve as consultant and subject matter expert as needed providing guidance and advice to catering partners and local operating groups
Coach frontline teams on processes and catering technology systems
Regularly interface with field and CSC-based Catering leadership teams, to provide for adequate situational awareness and obtain support as needed
Provide direct support to catering partners on-site in the kitchens for new initiatives such as technology enhancements, changes to United’s performance management system, new process adoption, etc.
Partner with CSC and leadership teams to support change management and communication plans for initiatives
Provide on-site support and monitoring of adoption and success for new initiatives
Coordinate execution of new menu concepts and service enhancements