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Contract Catering Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

SOSi

Dining/Catering Manager

Reston, VA

Overview Contingent Upon Contract Award SOS International LLC is seeking a skilled Dining & Catering Manager to oversee food service operations. This role ensures deployed personnel, response teams ...

SOSi

Dining/Catering Manager

Reston, VA · On-site

Overview Contingent Upon Contract Award SOS International LLC is seeking a skilled Dining & Catering Manager to oversee food service operations. This role ensures deployed personnel, response teams ...

Compass Group

CATERING DIRECTOR

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$75K - $82K/yr

Job Summary Working as a Catering Director , you have the responsibility for Catering and Events at ... Booking, selecting and costing menu items, pricing contracts, and resourcing temporary help and ...

Compass Group

CATERING DIRECTOR

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$75K - $82K/yr

Job Summary Working as a Catering Director , you have the responsibility for Catering and Events at ... Booking, selecting and costing menu items, pricing contracts, and resourcing temporary help and ...

Compass Group

CATERING DIRECTOR

Fairfax, VA

$75K - $82K/yr

Job Summary Working as a Catering Director , you have the responsibility for Catering and Events at ... Booking, selecting and costing menu items, pricing contracts, and resourcing temporary help and ...

Compass Group

CATERING OPERATIONS MANAGER

College Park, MD · On-site

$78K - $80K/yr

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 ...

Flik Hospitality Group

CATERING DIRECTOR

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$75K - $82K/yr

Job Summary Working as a Catering Director , you have the responsibility for Catering and Events at ... Booking, selecting and costing menu items, pricing contracts, and resourcing temporary help and ...

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 ... We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsContract Catering JobsContract Catering Jobs in Reston, VA

Contract Catering information

See Reston, VA salary details

$26.5K

$60.1K

$115K

How much do contract catering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract catering in Reston, VA is $60,106.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,800.00 and $71,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What type of catering is most profitable?

In contract catering, the most profitable types are often high-volume, repeat-service contracts such as corporate dining, healthcare, and educational institutions. These contracts provide steady income and economies of scale, making them more financially advantageous for catering companies. Success also depends on efficient operations, menu planning, and client relationships.

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

To thrive in Contract Catering, you need a solid background in food preparation, menu planning, and food safety regulations, often supported by relevant culinary qualifications or hospitality management experience. Familiarity with catering management software, inventory systems, and certifications such as food hygiene are typically required. Strong organizational skills, customer service orientation, and effective teamwork help professionals excel in delivering tailored catering solutions. These skills ensure quality service, compliance, and client satisfaction in a fast-paced and competitive catering environment.

What should be in a catering contract?

A catering contract for contract catering roles should include details such as scope of services, menu specifications, pricing, payment terms, schedule, cancellation policies, and health and safety requirements. It may also specify staffing requirements, equipment provisions, and liability clauses to ensure clear expectations between the employer and the caterer. Having a written agreement helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures compliance with industry standards.

How do caterers get clients?

Caterers acquire clients through networking, referrals, and marketing efforts such as social media, website presence, and participation in industry events. Building a strong reputation for quality service and obtaining relevant certifications can also attract new business. Establishing relationships with event planners and corporate clients is essential for consistent client acquisition.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in contract catering, and how can they be managed effectively?

Professionals in contract catering often face challenges such as adapting to varying client expectations, managing tight budgets, and ensuring consistent food quality across different sites. To manage these effectively, it's important to maintain clear communication with clients, implement standardized procedures, and foster a strong team culture that emphasizes flexibility and attention to detail. Additionally, leveraging technology for inventory and scheduling can help streamline operations and reduce errors, making it easier to deliver high-quality service regardless of the location.

What is contract catering?

Contract catering refers to the provision of food and beverage services by a third-party company to organizations, businesses, or institutions, usually under a formal agreement or contract. These services are commonly used in places like schools, hospitals, offices, factories, and event venues where an in-house catering team might not be practical or cost-effective. Contract caterers manage everything from menu planning and food preparation to staffing, serving, and sometimes cleaning up. The goal is to deliver high-quality, reliable meal services tailored to the specific needs of the client organization.

What is a contract catering?

Contract catering is a service where a company provides food and beverage services to clients such as businesses, schools, or hospitals under a contractual agreement. It involves managing menus, staffing, and food safety standards, often requiring knowledge of hospitality and food service regulations.

What is the difference between Contract Catering vs Catering Supervisor?

AspectContract CateringCatering Supervisor
CredentialsRelevant food safety certifications, catering experienceFood safety certifications, supervisory experience
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, client sites, large-scale eventsRestaurants, catering venues, event sites
Employer & Industry UsageContract catering companies, corporate clientsHotels, restaurants, catering companies

Contract Catering involves providing food services on a contractual basis for clients like corporations or institutions, often at multiple sites. Catering Supervisors oversee daily catering operations, manage staff, and ensure service quality within a specific venue. While both roles require food safety knowledge, Contract Catering focuses on large-scale contract delivery, whereas Catering Supervisors manage on-site catering teams and operations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Catering jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Catering jobs in Reston, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Catering jobs in Reston, VA? For Contract Catering jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Catering jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Catering jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Contract Catering jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Contract Catering job openings:
Contract Catering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Catering job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,106 per year, or $28.9 per hour.
Dining/Catering Manager

Dining/Catering Manager

SOSi

Reston, VA

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Company Description

Founded in 1989, SOSi is among the largest private, founder-owned technology and services integrators in the defense and government services industry. We deliver tailored solutions, tested leadership, and trusted results to enable national security missions worldwide.

Job Description

Overview

Contingent Upon Contract Award

SOS International LLC is seeking a skilled Dining & Catering Manager to oversee food service operations. This role ensures deployed personnel, response teams, and mission support staff receive safe, highquality meals during routine operations and emergency activations.

The Dining & Catering Manager plays a critical role in sustaining workforce readiness and supporting the health, morale, and operational effectiveness of the teams.

Duties:

  • Food Service Operations: Manages daily dining operations, catering services, and meal production for SOSi facilities and deployed teams. Oversees menu planning, food preparation, portioning, and service delivery to meet nutritional and operational requirements. Ensures compliance with food safety standards, sanitation protocols, and regulatory requirements (FDA Food Code, ServSafe, etc.).
  • Emergency Response Support: Coordinates rapidresponse catering and meal distribution during emergency activations. Supports field operations by organizing mobile feeding units, boxed meals, and surge feeding capabilities. Adjusts meal service schedules and production levels to meet changing mission demands.
  • Vendor & Contractor Coordination: Manages relationships with food service vendors, caterers, and supply providers. Oversees procurement of food, beverages, and dining supplies. Monitors vendor performance, service agreements, and delivery timelines.
  • Staff Leadership & Training: Supervises dining staff, kitchen personnel, and catering teams. Ensures staff maintain required food safety certifications and training. Establishes performance expectations and promotes a culture of safety, quality, and customer service.
  • Quality Assurance & Compliance: Conducts routine inspections of kitchens, dining areas, and food storage facilities. Maintains documentation for audits, inspections, and ASPR reporting requirements. Implements corrective actions to address safety, quality, or operational issues.
  • Planning & Administration: Develops meal plans, production schedules, and catering strategies for routine and emergency operations. Manages budgets, inventory, and cost controls for food service operations. Provides operational updates, risk assessments, and recommendations to program leadership.
Qualifications
  • Associate's degree in culinary arts and/or certificate.
  • 7 years experience in food service management, catering operations, or institutional dining.
  • Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, sanitation standards, and meal production processes.
  • Ability to manage highvolume or missioncritical food service environments.
  • Experience supervising staff and coordinating with vendors or contractors.
  • Strong organizational, communication, and problemsolving skills.
  • U.S. citizenship required.
  • May have to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or Secret clearance (depending on customer).

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in culinary arts.
  • 10 years experience supporting emergency response, disaster relief, or remote feeding operations.
  • Background in federal programs (HHS/ASPR, FEMA, DoD) or largescale logistics environments.
  • Certifications such as ServSafe Manager, CFPM, or equivalent.
  • Experience supporting mobile kitchens or deployable feeding capabilities.
Additional Information

Work Environment

  • Travel to emergency sites is required.
  • Position may require irregular hours during emergency activations.

Working at SOSi

All interested individuals will receive consideration and will not be discriminated against for any reason.

Apply