Also called: catering coordinator
What a catering manager does
A catering manager turns inquiries into events and runs them from first call to final cleanup. You meet with clients, build proposals and menus, track deposits and headcounts, and coordinate the kitchen, staff, rentals, and delivery. On event day, you make sure everything arrives on time and is set up correctly. The role mixes sales, logistics, and hospitality. It suits someone who stays organized under deadlines and likes solving problems for people planning an important day.
Pay snapshot: the BLS reports a national median of $33.36/hr for food service managers, and $44.55/hr in the Boston metro. See the full salary breakdown.
Responsibilities
- Respond to catering inquiries and meet with clients to understand needs and budgets
- Build menus, proposals, and quotes using accurate costing and pricing
- Draft contracts, collect deposits, and track final guest counts and payments
- Coordinate with the kitchen on menus, quantities, and prep timelines
- Schedule and brief event staff, including servers, bartenders, and drivers
- Order rentals, equipment, linens, and supplies for each event
- Plan delivery logistics, packing lists, and setup and breakdown schedules
- Run events on site, solving problems and keeping the client informed
- Follow up after events for feedback, balances due, and repeat business
- Maintain records of events, vendors, and client preferences
Requirements
- Experience in catering, events, or restaurant management is preferred
- Strong organization, communication, and sales skills
- Ability to build and manage event budgets and timelines
- ServSafe Manager certification is often required or preferred
- Comfort lifting, loading, and standing for long events
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays
Skills
- Client communication and sales
- Event planning and logistics
- Menu costing and pricing
- Staff scheduling
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving under pressure
- Contract and payment tracking
Schedule
Catering managers typically work a mix of weekday office hours for sales and planning plus evening and weekend event shifts.
Catering Manager job posting template
Copy this, replace the bracketed parts, and post it.
Catering Manager - [Restaurant Name], [City] [Restaurant Name] in [City] is looking for a Catering Manager to grow and run our catering and events program. You will be the main point of contact for clients and the link between sales and the kitchen. What you will do: - Respond to inquiries, meet with clients, and close events - Build menus, proposals, and quotes - Coordinate the kitchen, staff, rentals, and delivery - Run events on site and make sure clients are happy - Track deposits, final counts, and payments What we are looking for: - [X] or more years of catering, events, or restaurant experience - Strong communication and organization - Comfort with pricing, costing, and contracts - ServSafe Manager certification (or willingness to get it) - Availability for evenings and weekends What we offer: - [$XX,XXX-$XX,XXX salary] plus [commission/bonus structure] - [Benefits, e.g. health insurance, paid time off] - Support from a strong kitchen team - Room to grow the program Send your resume and a note about your best event to [email].
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