Senior Catering Manager

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

About the Opportunity

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.

What We're Looking For

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.