Catering & Events Operations Manager

Saladelia Catering | Durham, NC

Saladelia Catering is seeking an experienced, highly organized, and motivated Catering Operations Manager to oversee the complete operational side of our catering business.

This is an important leadership position for someone who understands catering from beginning to end, from responding to customer inquiries and managing incoming business to organizing orders, coordinating events, leading employees, managing logistics on the ground, and ensuring flawless execution.

You will work directly with leadership and collaborate closely with our catering/culinary teams to ensure every catering order and event is handled professionally and consistently.

Our culinary team oversees kitchen operations and food production. Your responsibility will be everything surrounding the catering business itself: customer communication, order management, planning, staffing, logistics, coordination, delivery, and execution.

We are looking for someone who can take ownership of the catering operation, manage the details, lead the team, solve problems independently, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

WHY THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY

• Meaningful Leadership Role: Take ownership of the day-to-day catering operation and play a central role in its success.
• Real Responsibility: Oversee the entire process from incoming customer inquiries and order development through planning, coordination, and final execution.
• Opportunity to Make an Impact: Follow developed systems, improve efficiency, strengthen customer relationships, and elevate the overall catering experience.
• Professional Growth: Be part of an established, locally owned business with opportunities to grow as the catering operation expands.
• Competitive Compensation: Earn $55,000–$65,000 annually, with additional performance-based bonus potential.

THE ROLE

WHAT YOU WILL OWN

Customer Relationships & Incoming Catering Business

• Manage incoming catering inquiries, requests, and customer communications.
• Understand customer needs and help develop appropriate catering proposals and orders.
• Manage the customer relationship from initial inquiry through order confirmation and event completion.
• Follow up with customers, confirm details, and ensure expectations are clearly established.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism and responsiveness.
• Identify opportunities to increase order value through appropriate recommendations and customer service.

Order Management & Event Planning

• Manage catering orders from confirmation through completion.
• Review all order details for accuracy, completeness, and operational feasibility.
• Coordinate delivery times, event schedules, special requests, and customer requirements.
• Develop event timelines, checklists, and execution plans.
• Ensure all details are communicated accurately to the culinary team and appropriate employees.
• Manage multiple orders and events simultaneously while maintaining organization and attention to detail.

Catering Logistics & Execution

• Oversee all catering logistics, including staffing, scheduling, deliveries, transportation, equipment, setup, and breakdown.
• Ensure the appropriate resources are assigned to each event.
• Coordinate with the culinary team to ensure food production and event requirements are aligned.
• Ensure orders are properly packed, organized, checked, and ready for delivery.
• Oversee delivery and event execution standards.
• Address last-minute changes, unexpected challenges, and customer concerns.
• Ensure every event is delivered on time and according to customer expectations.

Team Leadership & Management

• Establish clear responsibilities and performance expectations.
• Ensure event staff are properly prepared for their assigned events and responsibilities.
• Maintain accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and high service standards.
• Lead by example and be willing to assist wherever needed.

Financial & Operational Management

• Monitor catering orders, labor, equipment, and supplies.
• Monitor resource allocation.
• Provide operational feedback and performance updates to the owner.

Communication & Collaboration

• Work closely with the culinary team to coordinate production requirements and event execution.
• Maintain strong communication with leadership, catering and the delivery team.
• Ensure information is shared accurately and in a timely manner.
• Take ownership of resolving operational issues and communicating important matters to leadership.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in catering management, catering operations, event management, or a closely related hospitality management position.
• Demonstrated experience managing catering orders, events, customer relationships, and operational logistics.
• Strong organization and communication skills.
• Strong computer skills.
• Ability to manage multiple events, deadlines, employees, and competing priorities.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make independent decisions.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some early mornings, evenings, and weekends based on catering requirements.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Event Management, or a related field preferred, but not required.
• Equivalent professional experience and demonstrated management ability will be considered.

THIS IS A HANDS-ON LEADERSHIP POSITION

This is not a desk-only management position.

While planning, customer communication, organization, and coordination are essential, you must also be comfortable stepping in when necessary.

This may include helping pack orders, loading equipment, assisting with deliveries, supporting event setup and breakdown, or resolving an issue on-site.

We believe strong leaders lead by example and understand every part of the operation.

ABOUT SALADELIA CAFÉ & CATERING

Saladelia is a locally owned café and catering business based in Durham, NC, serving the Triangle area. We specialize in freshly prepared Mediterranean-inspired food and catering for corporate events, universities, businesses, weddings, and private functions.

With an established reputation for quality, reliability, and customer service, our catering business continues to grow. We are looking for a strong leader to help manage that growth, strengthen operations, and maintain the high standards our customers expect.

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• 1. Describe your previous experience managing catering operations, including the types of events, order volumes, and responsibilities you handled.
• 2. Walk us through how you would manage a catering order from the initial customer inquiry through order confirmation, preparation coordination, delivery, and completion.
• 3. How do you approach learning a new company's systems, procedures, and workflows? Describe how you ensure you understand and consistently follow established processes.
• 4. Describe your experience supervising events, coordinating schedules, managing deliveries, and handling unexpected challenges during events.
• 5. What do you believe are the most important qualities of a successful Catering Operations Manager, and how have you demonstrated those qualities in your previous roles?

Work Location

In person