Catering - Associate

SSA Group partners with cultural attractions to design hospitality experiences, focusing on admissions, culinary, and retail to create seamless guest journeys. Our approach, 452 Hospitality, emphasizes people, innovation, and operational intelligence to deliver memorable moments.

About the role

As a Catering Associate, you will deliver warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for guests and clients while ensuring the quality, setup, and execution of catered events. This role involves both front and back-of-house duties, including setup, breakdown, and cleanup of events, as well as supporting inventory and rental orders.

Responsibilities

• Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.
• Oversee quality, product levels, and inventory of product.
• Fulfill guests' needs quickly and efficiently, resolving complaints effectively.
• Meet expectations for proper setup, execution, breakdown, and cleanup of each catered event.
• Execute back-of-house, front-of-house, and side work duties for banquet events as assigned.
• Demonstrate knowledge of menus, food presentation, and food service techniques with guest service in mind.
• Perform strenuous manual labor as required (e.g., equipment storage, event setup, tear down of tables and chairs).
• Support placement, movement, and storage of rental orders, buffet cards, and catering items.
• Assist Catering Supervisor(s) and Catering Operations Manager with problems during events and provide creative solutions.
• Maintain a friendly and approachable attitude toward clients, guests, and staff.
• Communicate clearly and openly with leaders for overall success.
• Display a sense of urgency at all times.
• Uphold a professional appearance and mannerism.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the team, focusing on removing barriers and empowering growth.
• Lead by example through sustainability and conservation efforts, sharing knowledge with staff.
• Engage in community efforts and giving-back initiatives.

Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate needs to clients, managers, and HQ personnel.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to stay organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to operate all necessary equipment for job duties.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and lift/move boxes (up to 35 lbs); accommodations available upon request.
• Availability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Qualifications

• Catering and/or event industry experience is a plus.
• All educational backgrounds are eligible.

Schedule

• Weekdays and weekend availability required (zoo open 7 days/week).
• Opportunities for evening hours during upcoming events:
  • Zoo Boo (Friday–Sunday nights in October).
  • Wild Lights (various nights from mid-November through January 3, 2027).

Benefits

• Eligible for overtime pay.
• On-Demand Pay Program: Access a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts at applicable locations.
• 401(k) program with a 15% company match (eligibility: 21 years or older, one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked; enrollment during Open Enrollment Periods).
• Tuition Discount through Partnership College.
• Up to 8 hours of Bereavement Leave.
• Holiday pay of 1.5× the regular rate for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
• Paid sick leave in accordance with state and local laws (accrual rates and caps vary by location).