ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Catering Operations Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Compass Group

Catering Operations Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

As our Catering Operations Manager , you'll help bring those stories to life by guiding teams, supporting clients, and ensuring smooth, highquality execution for both on and offpremise events. 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 ...

SSA Group

Catering & Event Operations Manager

Baltimore, MD · On-site

$62K - $68K/yr

Catering & Event Operations Manager Department: Catering & Events Location: National Aquarium, Onsite Reports to: General Manager, Assistant General Manager, (Sr.) Director of Catering Operations, or ...

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCatering Operations JobsCatering Operations Manager Jobs

Catering Operations Manager information

See salary details

$40.5K

$65.2K

$89K

How much do catering operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 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 is the highest paid job in the food industry?

In the food industry, executive chef and culinary director roles tend to be among the highest paid positions, especially in high-end restaurants or hotel chains. These roles require extensive experience, leadership skills, and often advanced culinary certifications, with salaries reaching six figures in some cases.

How much should an operations manager get paid?

The salary for a Catering Operations Manager typically ranges from $50,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the operation. Higher salaries are common in larger organizations or regions with a higher cost of living, and the role often requires strong organizational and leadership skills.

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.

What are common problems for catering managers?

Catering managers often face challenges such as coordinating large-scale events, managing staff and vendor schedules, controlling costs, and ensuring food safety and quality. They must also handle last-minute changes, client expectations, and logistical issues to deliver successful events. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are essential to overcome these problems.

What does a catering operations manager do?

A catering operations manager oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of catering events. They manage staff, ensure quality service, handle logistics, and maintain budgets to ensure successful event delivery. Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills are essential in this role.
More about Catering Operations Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Catering Operations Manager jobs? Cities with the most Catering Operations Manager job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Catering Operations Manager jobs? The top employers for Catering Operations Manager jobs are:
What states have the most Catering Operations Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Catering Operations Manager jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Catering Operations Manager jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Catering Operations Manager jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Catering Operations Manager jobs? For Catering Operations Manager jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Catering Operations Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Catering Operations Manager job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,206 per year, or $31.3 per hour.
Catering Operations Manager

Catering Operations Manager

Compass Group

San Marino, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,077 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

313th of 451 rated business services

Job description

Position Title: Catering Operations Manager
Salary: 72,000-80,000
Other Forms of Compensation:
Our Passion is Food!
At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!
Job Summary
Job Summary:
The Catering Operations Manager holds duties related to successful execution and coordination for on and off premise Company events. The position entails a need for excellent attention to detail and communication skills; ability to multi-task on a variety of projects simultaneously, accurate distribution of pertinent information both internally to all departments as well as to clients and related vendors. You will be expected to have excellent client skills in presentation and marketing ability.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Consults clients as to scope, expectations, setting, menu, collateral entertainment to have a successful and appropriate event within the client's budget
  • Plans menus in consultation with the clients and chefs
  • Negotiates individual vendor contracts
  • Delegates to, and ensure that, the Event Manager coordinates and executes the event within the parameters established by the Catering Event Manager
  • Recruits, interviews, selects, and trains permanent and casual staff
  • Organizes, leads and motivates the catering team
  • Plans staff and event schedules
  • Maintains and develops accurate financial and administrative records
  • Serves as liaison and coordinator between Sales Catering Managers, Supervising Chefs, Staffing, Captains, Suppliers, Vendors, Rental Companies and Clients as needed to plan events
  • Assesses contract requirements and ensure satisfaction with the services delivered
  • Performs final review and assessment of catering events to determine if they meet performance and quality standards
  • Resolves customer concerns and ensures timely customer payment

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Operationally savvy industry professional with demonstrated leadership in managing people, events and the overall guest experience
  • Strong organization, time management and team motivation skills are essential for success in this role
  • Ability to work independently with little direct supervision
  • Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written) with clients, senior management, and WPC support staff
  • Ability to respond effectively to continuously changing demands
  • Demonstrated experience in budgeting, P&L, labor and sales forecasting and reporting
  • Effective use of discretion to problem solve in a fast-paced environment
  • Excellent negotiating skills
  • Ability to establish credibility with senior culinary professionals
  • Human Resource experience including hiring, training, mentoring and development
  • 3-5 years' experience in a hospitality management environment (preferably in an off-premise catering environment)
  • The ability to manage in an environment with focus on client service, entrepreneurship and building and growing a strong business

Apply to Bon Appetit today!
Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.
Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story
Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.
https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.
Req ID: 1543441
Bon Appetit
BRYAN GONI

What Compass Group employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply