Catering Manager - DUKE University

Responsibilities

• Day-to-day operations of catering program
• Scheduling staff and labor management
• Recruiting, training, and managing staff to provide high-quality service
• Bar operations (in cooperation with beverage manager)
• Meeting with clients to understand and document their catering needs and preferences
• Organizing and supervising the work of the catering team to ensure timely food service
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations
• Controlling budgets and minimizing expenditure by efficiently managing resources
• Handling customer inquiries and complaints professionally and promptly
• Conducting regular inventory checks, developing par lists, and communicating supply needs
• Planning and executing marketing strategies to promote the catering business
• Supporting the General Manager and Catering Director in cost management and budget analysis
• Performing other related duties as needed

Qualifications

• Proven track record managing both indoor and outdoor catering events for up to 350 guests, ensuring seamless service delivery in various environments
• Strong background in creating and curating diverse, high-quality menus tailored to client preferences and event themes
• Ability to lead and manage catering teams, ensuring smooth coordination of staff and resources during events
• Highly organized with a keen eye for detail, capable of overseeing all aspects of catering logistics, from set-up to execution
• Comfortable working in dynamic, fast-paced environments, with the ability to adapt to changing conditions and resolve issues quickly and efficiently
• Flexibility with schedule and availability (catering may require weekends, early mornings, late nights)
• Ability to achieve company and client financial targets and goals
• Experience in developing and maintaining client and customer relationships
• Ability to deliver strategic plans
• Experience holding team members accountable using HR-guided team coaching processes
• Strong communication skills with all crew and team members
• Ability to foster a positive environment with a measured temperament

Company Core Values and Competencies

• Business Acumen: Demonstrate comprehension of the job, including policies, practices, and relationships. Possess the expertise and skill levels required and perform with quality.
• Dedication: Dependable, reliable, and follows through on projects from inception to completion. Willing to put in as much time as necessary to complete tasks. Demonstrate a win-win attitude: “see it, own it, solve it.”
• Ethics and Integrity: Acts with integrity, honesty, and knowledge that promote the company’s culture, values, and beliefs while maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.
• Safety & Security: Observe safety and security standards. Use equipment and materials properly. Comply with safety standards and personal protective equipment requirements. Report potential unsafe conditions or practices immediately. Promote restaurant safety, cleanliness, and security compliance.
• Teamwork: Cooperate and be willing to work as a team player to achieve goals and tasks accurately, efficiently, and timely.
• Communication: Communicate clearly and effectively with mutual respect, understanding, and trust. Listen carefully to opinions and views of others; state understanding of what has been heard.
• Initiative: Contribute new ideas and suggestions to enhance productivity and efficiency. Be proactive in troubleshooting problems or issues and take action to mitigate potential problems.
• Adaptability & Planning: Possess the ability to learn new tasks and adjust well to new situations. Perform well under tight time schedules and pressures to change direction quickly.
• Service Orientation: Demonstrates a sense of urgency. Is welcoming, friendly, and smiles when visible to guests.

Work Environment

Office work entails computer usage, inter-departmental meetings, and communications via email, phone, and in person. Job duties may include movement between indoors, outdoors, and structures throughout the campus.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Prolonged periods of standing, moving throughout a kitchen and venue, bending, lifting, and reaching
• Ability to perform physical tasks, such as lifting approximately 30 lbs

Pay

This is a full-time hourly position with a starting range of $18.00–$20.00 per hour.

Benefits

• Basic Life and AD&D insurance (provided at no cost to full-time eligible employees)
• Long-term disability (provided at no cost to full-time eligible employees)
• Optional benefits for full-time eligible employees, including:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Voluntary Life and AD&D insurance
  • Short-term disability
  • Voluntary Accident insurance
  • Voluntary Critical Illness insurance
  • Voluntary Hospitality Indemnity insurance