Senior Catering Manager
Job Description
Location: Johnson City, TN
Experience Level: Mid-Senior
Job Function: Hospitality / Management
Experience Required: 3+ Years
Education: Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience
Visa Sponsorship: Not Available
We are seeking an experienced Senior Catering Manager to lead catering operations within a high-volume, fast-paced hospitality environment in Johnson City, Tennessee.
This is an excellent opportunity for a hospitality professional who thrives on creating exceptional guest experiences, developing high-performing teams, managing complex events, and driving operational and financial results.
The Catering Manager will oversee a significant catering operation with more than $1.5 million in annual managed catering volume, partnering closely with clients, culinary teams, sales, and front-of-house staff to deliver successful events from planning through execution.
Key Responsibilities- Lead and oversee daily catering operations, including event execution, food production, inventory, deliveries, invoicing, and procurement.
- Manage a high-volume catering operation exceeding $1.5M in annual managed volume.
- Oversee the catering sales and event planning process, working directly with clients to design and execute successful events.
- Lead, coach, and develop catering employees through effective delegation, scheduling, training, and performance management.
- Ensure teams have the equipment, supplies, and resources necessary to meet operational goals and deadlines.
- Monitor labor, inventory, equipment, and material costs to ensure adherence to established budgets.
- Collaborate with sales, culinary, and front-of-house teams to ensure accurate and timely fulfillment of catering orders, including last-minute requests.
- Review event orders and catering documentation to ensure accuracy and operational readiness.
- Maintain high standards for food safety, workplace safety, service quality, and regulatory compliance.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, increase efficiency, strengthen client relationships, and support revenue growth.
- Address client concerns professionally and develop practical solutions while maintaining established policies and procedures.
The ideal candidate is an experienced catering or hospitality leader who is organized, solutions-oriented, and comfortable managing a high-volume operation.
Qualifications- 3+ years of management experience.
- 3+ years of experience in catering, food production, food service management, hospitality, or a related field.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams.
- Strong understanding of catering operations, event execution, and client service.
- Experience managing labor, inventory, and operating costs.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across sales, culinary, and front-of-house teams.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Familiarity with workforce scheduling and timekeeping systems is preferred.
