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Catering Operations Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Wolfgang Puck Catering

Catering Operations Manager

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$85K - $91K/yr

Background in event logistics, banquet operations, or catering management * Experience supporting both on‑site and off‑premise events * Familiarity with labor planning, staffing coordination, and ...

Compass Group

CATERING OPERATIONS MANAGER

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$78K - $80K/yr

Job Summary The Catering Operations Manager is a highly detail-oriented and service-driven person responsible for supporting the seamless execution of catering and executive dining services. This ...

Compass Group

CATERING OPERATIONS MANAGER

New York, NY

$78K - $80K/yr

Job Summary The Catering Operations Manager is a highly detail-oriented and service-driven person responsible for supporting the seamless execution of catering and executive dining services. This ...

Compass Group

Catering Operations Manager

Atlanta, GA

$85K - $91K/yr

Background in event logistics, banquet operations, or catering management * Experience supporting both on‑site and off‑premise events * Familiarity with labor planning, staffing coordination, and ...

Compass Group

Catering Operations Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Catering Operations Manager Salary: $80,000 - $85,000 Other Forms of Compensation: Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the ...

Compass Group

CATERING OPERATIONS MANAGER

Manhattan, NY

$78K - $80K/yr

Job Summary The Catering Operations Manager is a highly detail-oriented and service-driven person responsible for supporting the seamless execution of catering and executive dining services. This ...

Compass Group

Catering Operations Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

Catering Operations Manager Salary: $50,000 to $65,000 Our Passion is Food! At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you ...

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How much do catering operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for catering operations manager in the United States is $65,206.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,000.00 and $72,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Catering Operations Manager job?

A Catering Operations Manager oversees the planning, execution, and logistics of catering events to ensure smooth operations and customer satisfaction. They coordinate with clients, manage staff, handle budgets, and ensure food safety regulations are met. Their role involves supervising food preparation, managing inventory, and addressing any operational challenges. Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills are essential for success in this role.

What are some common challenges faced by Catering Operations Managers, and how are they addressed?

Catering Operations Managers often encounter challenges such as last-minute changes to event details, managing diverse teams in high-pressure situations, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. To address these, they rely on excellent planning and communication skills, as well as contingency planning for unexpected issues. Building strong vendor relationships and maintaining an adaptable approach can also help navigate logistical hurdles. Regular staff training and clear workflows contribute to a smoother operation, ensuring both client satisfaction and team efficiency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Catering Operations Manager position, and why are they important?

A Catering Operations Manager should have strong organizational and leadership abilities, experience in food service or hospitality management, and typically a relevant degree or diploma. Familiarity with event management software, scheduling tools, and food safety certifications such as ServSafe are often required. Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and customer service skills are essential for effective team supervision and client satisfaction. These skills help ensure smooth event execution, cost control, and consistently high service quality.

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Catering Operations Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Catering Operations Manager job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 46% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 27% Contract, and 7% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,206 per year, or $31.3 per hour.

Catering Operations Manager

SOCIAL EXPRESS CATERING & MEAL PREP

Atlanta, GA

$50K - $55K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description


Catering Operation Manager
Company: Social Express Catering & Meal Prep (SECMP)
Location: Metro Atlanta, GA (On-site)
Job Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $50,000–$55,000/year (based on experience) + KPI bonus opportunity
Schedule: Early mornings required; some weekends/evenings depending on business needs
Reports To: COO + CEO/Executive Chef
Direct Reports: Kitchen staff (Catering Specialists/Cooks), Drivers, Shift Leads
Role Summary
Social Express Catering & Meal Prep (SECMP) is hiring a seasoned Operations Manager to run the day-to-day execution of our production kitchen, staffing, and delivery operations.
This role is for a true operator—someone who is organized, disciplined, and can lead people while driving performance through KPIs. You will be responsible for making sure our daily operations run smoothly across:
 ✅ Large-scale daily meal production + packing
 ✅ Delivery logistics and on-time dispatch
 ✅ Inventory readiness and waste control
 ✅ Kitchen structure, cleanliness, and compliance
 ✅ Staff scheduling and accountability
 ✅ Support for catering and event readiness (Chef-led execution)
This is not a desk job. You will be hands-on and fully responsible for keeping the business running without chaos.

Key Responsibilities
1) Own Daily Production & Kitchen Execution
  • Run daily operations including prep, cook, packing, staging, load-out, and reset
  • Lead daily pre-shift huddles and assign stations with deadlines
  • Enforce consistency in portioning, food quality, packaging, and accuracy
  • Prevent “fire drills” by planning ahead and controlling the pace of the kitchen
  • Ensure the kitchen is clean, organized, and production-ready at all times
2) Build the Daily/Weekly Plan (No Guesswork)
  • Create daily production timelines and prep lists
  • Coordinate staffing coverage based on volume and deadlines
  • Ensure all teams know the plan: who is doing what, by what time, and how it must look
  • Control overtime by planning ahead—not reacting late
3) Dispatch & Delivery Accountability
  • Confirm driver coverage daily and ensure smooth route execution
  • Maintain strict dispatch procedures:
    • correct loading order
    • route-ready staging
    • equipment sign-out and return tracking
    • departure time tracking
  • Identify delivery risks early and correct them before they become failures
  • Hold drivers accountable for accuracy, timeliness, and professionalism
4) Inventory, Ordering & Waste Control
  • Maintain par levels for food, packaging, and disposables
  • Track key inventory items that impact daily output (protein, trays, containers, labels, etc.)
  • Reduce waste through better forecasting, FIFO, and prep discipline
  • Communicate shortages immediately to leadership with a solution plan

5) Food Safety, Quality & Compliance
  • Enforce food safety and sanitation requirements daily
  • Ensure all required logs are completed (temps, sanitation, cleaning schedules, etc.)
  • Maintain compliance culture: no shortcuts, no excuses
  • Correct issues fast and prevent repeat mistakes
6) Staff Leadership & Performance Management
  • Train and coach staff to standards (SOPs, station expectations, speed, cleanliness)
  • Hold staff accountable for punctuality, professionalism, and performance
  • Support hiring and onboarding in partnership with CEO/COO
  • Document recurring performance issues and implement corrective actions
7) Catering & Events Support (Executive Chef-Led)

The Executive Chef owns all event strategy, planning, day-of execution, and culinary direction.
 The Operations Manager supports Chef by ensuring readiness.
  • Coordinate staffing support for event prep needs
  • Ensure equipment, supplies, and disposables are staged on time
  • Keep kitchen production protected so events don’t disrupt daily obligations
  • Ensure the kitchen is reset and ready after event prep work
8) Daily Reporting & KPI Management
  • Track performance with clear metrics and trends
  • Provide a daily recap to COO/CEO including:
    • on-time dispatch status
    • packing accuracy/mistakes
    • staffing issues/callouts
    • inventory gaps
    • corrective actions taken
  • Lead weekly KPI review and improvement actions
KPI Scorecard (What Success Looks Like)
Execution & Delivery
  • On-time dispatch: ≥ 98% weekly
  • Missed routes/sites: 0
  • Packing accuracy: ≥ 99%
Quality & Compliance
  • Log completion: ≥ 95% daily
  • Critical food safety incidents: 0
  • Client complaints: decreasing trend
Labor & Efficiency
  • Labor hours within weekly plan
  • Overtime controlled and approved only
  • Reduced waste month-over-month
Team Reliability
  • 100% route/shift coverage
  • Improved punctuality + reduced callouts
  • Training completed within required timelines
Qualifications
Required
  • 3–7+ years leadership in catering, meal prep, high-volume kitchens, or food production
  • Proven ability to manage a team and hit deadlines consistently
  • Strong organization and time management
  • Confident communicator and firm leader 
  • Comfortable being hands-on and moving fast in a production environment
  • ServSafe Manager 
  • Experience with multi-route delivery logistics and packing systems
  • Experience implementing SOPs and KPI tracking

What Success Looks Like (30/60/90 Days)
First 30 Days
  • Kitchen runs with structure (huddles, stations, deadlines, checklists)
  • Dispatch procedure locked in and consistent
Staffing schedule stabilized and reliable
By 60 Days
  • Accuracy improves, fewer mistakes, fewer emergency issues
  • Overtime reduced through planning and control
Inventory is consistent with fewer shortages
By 90 Days
  • Operations runs smoothly without owner micromanagement
  • KPI targets consistently hit
  • Staff culture becomes more accountable and performance-driven
How to Apply
Submit your resume and a short message answering:
  1. What is the largest kitchen/production operation you’ve managed?
  2. What KPIs have you been responsible for?
  3. What is your leadership style—firm, structured, fast-paced?