Catering Operations Manager

Catering Operations Manager

At Wolfgang Puck Catering, every event tells a story, and as a Catering Operations Manager, you'll be the conductor behind the scenes, ensuring flawless execution both on- and off-premise. This role is ideal for a dynamic hospitality professional who thrives in fast-paced environments, juggling multiple moving pieces while keeping client satisfaction at the heart of every decision. You'll partner with world-class chefs, visionary sales leaders, and top-tier vendors to bring unforgettable events to life.

We're looking for someone who blends operational precision with creative flair, a leader who can motivate a team, manage complex logistics, and deliver on Wolfgang Puck's legendary standard of excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted consultant to clients, guiding them on scope, vision, menu design, and entertainment to create extraordinary events within budget.
• Partner with WPC chefs to design customized menus that delight and inspire.
• Negotiate with and manage vendors, ensuring seamless coordination and exceptional service delivery.
• Lead, train, and inspire catering staff to consistently perform at the highest level.
• Build and manage staffing schedules that align talent with event needs.
• Serve as the central liaison across Sales, Culinary, Staffing, Captains, Vendors, and Clients, ensuring flawless communication and execution.
• Oversee financial tracking, contract compliance, and post-event evaluations to ensure operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Resolve guest concerns swiftly and professionally, always maintaining the WPC standard of hospitality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven leader in hospitality or off-premise catering with a strong operations background.
• Expert in balancing multiple events, client relationships, and team management with ease.
• Strong communication skills, persuasive, professional, and client-focused.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, P&Ls, labor forecasting, and sales reporting.
• High-level negotiation skills and business acumen, with the confidence to partner with senior culinary leaders.
• Experience in HR functions including hiring, training, and developing talent.
• Operationally savvy, resilient, and adaptable to rapidly changing event demands.
• 3–5 years of management experience in catering, fine dining, luxury hospitality, or a related environment.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for delivering exceptional client experiences and growing the business.

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.

Associates at Wolfgang Puck Catering are offered many fantastic benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, paid parental leave, holiday time off, personal leave, associate shopping program, health and wellness programs, discount marketplace, identity theft protection, pet insurance, commuter benefits, employee assistance program, and flexible spending accounts.

Wolfgang Puck Catering maintains a drug-free workplace.