Catering - Associate

About the role

As a Catering Associate at Roger Williams Zoo, you’ll deliver warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client while upholding SSA’s 452 Hospitality standards. This role supports catered events by overseeing quality, setup, execution, breakdown, and cleanup, ensuring seamless service and guest satisfaction.

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, and resolve 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 to ensure overall productivity of banquet events.
• 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, and engage in community efforts.

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.
• Ability to operate all equipment necessary to perform job duties.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and move/handle boxes (up to 35 lbs), including lifting and performing all required functions; accommodations available upon request.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Catering and/or event industry experience is a plus, but all educational backgrounds are eligible.

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 applicable state and local laws (accrual rates and caps vary by location).

Locations with specific sick leave policies include: Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., Colorado, Maryland, and Washington.