Senior Catering & Banquet Captain

About the role

Milwaukee-based Bars & Recreation owns and operates a diverse portfolio of entertainment brands. The Senior Catering & Event Captain plays a critical leadership role in the successful execution of the company’s catering program, offsite activations, and special events, serving as the primary Banquet Captain for onsite and offsite catered events while also providing transportation for catering, equipment, inventory, and event supplies between locations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Banquet Captain for onsite and offsite catered events.
• Lead banquet setup, service, room flips, and event breakdown.
• Supervise Crew Members, Crew Leads, Senior Crew Leads, and other support personnel during events.
• Serve as the primary onsite contact for clients, vendors, and venue representatives throughout event execution.
• Coordinate event timelines with the Sales, Culinary, Operations, and FLT teams to ensure seamless execution of offsite events, catering events, custom events, and other events/activations.
• Ensure food presentation, beverage service, buffet displays, and event spaces meet Bars & Recreation quality standards.
• Monitor guest satisfaction throughout events and proactively resolve service issues.
• Assist with food service, beverage service, bartending, and event execution.
• Ensure all event equipment, supplies, and rental items are accounted for and returned following each event.
• Mentor and develop Crew Members, Crew Leads, and Senior Crew Leads in all aspects of custom event execution, including event setup, service standards, presentation, attention to detail, allergen awareness, and guest experience.
• Collaborate closely with the culinary team to communicate guest allergies, dietary restrictions, and special requests while coordinating buffet setup, chafing equipment, and service logistics.
• Foster and maintain strong professional relationships with clients by providing constructive feedback, ensuring consistent service standards, and collaborating to enhance operational efficiency and the overall guest experience.
• Serve as the primary driver for catering deliveries and operational transportation.
• Safely transport food, beverages, furniture, décor, equipment, and event supplies between Bars & Recreation facilities and offsite event locations.
• Load, unload, and verify catering orders and event equipment before departure and upon arrival.
• Coordinate timely deliveries to support catering events, activations, and venue needs.
• Return all equipment to storage while ensuring it is cleaned and stored properly.
• Assist with inventory transfers between company locations.
• Promptly communicate any transportation delays or operational issues to management.
• Prepare equipment, décor, signage, and supplies for upcoming events.
• Assist with setup and teardown of onsite and offsite events.
• Support company activations including festivals, community events, trade shows, promotional events, and mobile experiences.
• Assist with warehouse organization and event inventory.

Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have at least a High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum three years of hospitality, banquet, catering, or event operations experience.
• Previous Banquet Captain or catering leadership experience preferred.
• Must successfully pass a background check.
• Must be insurable under the company’s commercial automobile insurance policy.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record (no suspensions in the last five years).
• Maintain personal automobile insurance with minimum limits of:
  • $100,000 per occurrence
  • $300,000 aggregate
• Comfortable driving company vans, pick-up trucks, and trailers.
• Ability to lift and carry 50+ pounds repeatedly.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, crouch, climb stairs, and work indoors and outdoors for extended periods.
• Available to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on event schedules.
• Ability to obtain Responsible Beverage Server certification and any required manager licensing; willing to complete an online Responsible Beverage Server Course and submit proof of completion.
• Must have (or be willing and able to obtain) a Wisconsin Statewide Operator’s (Bartender’s) Permit.
• Must be able to operate a point-of-sale system and accurately conduct credit card transactions.
• Must have (or be willing to obtain) personal transportation and a personal cell phone.
• Must be able to read, understand, and follow the Bars & Recreation Employee Handbook.

Benefits

• Starting base rate of $13.00 – $14.50/hour based on experience plus share of the bi-weekly Tip Pool (gross rate range after tips = $24–$30/hr).
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees (30+ hours/week).
• Life insurance policy for full-time employees (30+ hours/week).
• Company-sponsored 401k plan.
• Paid time off (7 full days per year once fully vested).
• Company-sponsored employee rewards program.
• Company-sponsored social events.
• Annual charitable donation of employee’s choice.
• Flexible scheduling.
• Great variety of work with cross-training at all facilities.
• Free/discounted play, drinks, snacks, and merchandise.
• Company-wide communication platform.