Catering Manager

Job Summary

• Manage assigned events from initial planning through execution, including billing, documentation, and post-event follow-up to ensure accuracy and client satisfaction
• Maintain detailed and accurate banquet event orders, including timelines, guest counts, menus, dietary needs, staffing plans, equipment, and service requirements
• Serve as the on-site operational lead, coordinating event setup, culinary timing, service execution, breakdown, and real-time adjustments
• Build and maintain responsive, professional communication with clients, meeting organizers, and internal partners throughout the event lifecycle
• Partner with catering leadership, culinary teams, and campus service groups to ensure seamless coordination across multiple events and locations
• Direct, brief, and coach regular, union, and temporary staff during events, ensuring clear expectations, service standards, and effective execution
• Develop event-specific staffing plans that align labor with guest counts, service style, complexity, and financial goals
• Monitor event costs, including labor, food, and equipment, while accurately capturing billable items and changes
• Use EMS and related systems to support scheduling, planning, reporting, invoicing, and recordkeeping
• Anticipate operational challenges, resolve routine service issues, and escalate more complex concerns related to client experience, safety, or execution
• Uphold Restaurant Associates standards for hospitality, presentation, food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety
• Support large-scale meetings, tastings, training initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts

• Experience in catering, banquets, conference services, or event operations within a hospitality or foodservice environment
• Proven ability to manage multiple events simultaneously while maintaining strong attention to detail and meeting deadlines
• Hands-on leadership experience directing event teams and managing live event execution
• Working knowledge of event logistics, staffing, service flow, setup, breakdown, and billing processes
• Strong client-service mindset with effective communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Comfort using event management systems and Microsoft Office tools
• Ability to stay composed, adaptable, and solution-oriented in a high-volume, time-sensitive environment
• Flexibility to support early mornings, evenings, weekends, or extended hours when required

• Experience in high-volume, corporate, or complex catering environments
• Familiarity working with union teams or on-call/temporary staffing models
• Experience supporting executive, VIP, diplomatic, or international events
• Knowledge of EMS, Tripleseat, CaterTrax, Delphi, or similar systems
• Relevant certifications (e.g., ServSafe, responsible alcohol service) or willingness to obtain
• Additional language skills or experience supporting a diverse client base