Catering Dining Manager
Smith College

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.Dining ServicesJob Description

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for delivering exceptional culinary experiences? Join us as our new Catering Manager and take charge of an innovative, dynamic team that values creativity, quality, and exceptional service.

We offer exceptional benefits!

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance that starts with the date of hire.

• Generous Paid Holidays and time off

• A Retirement Plan with a 9% Employer Funded annual contribution

• Tuition Benefits with family offerings

• Professional Development financially supported

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead with Innovation: Oversee all catering operations, from budget management to staff training, creating a climate of growth and success.
• Deliver Excellence: Ensure every aspect of catering food production is top-notch, maintaining high standards of customer satisfaction across campus events.
• Strategize & Execute: Take charge of budgeting, scheduling, and evaluating performance while managing complex event logistics with precision.
• Foster Team Success: Inspire a motivated team to uphold quality standards, streamline processes, and provide remarkable customer-focused service.
• Manage Operations with Precision: Control costs, monitor budgets, and facilitate sanitation standards to ensure seamless, compliant operations.
• Drive Culinary Creativity: Develop fresh, sustainable, and creative menus that cater to diverse needs, from dietary requirements to innovative food trends.

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited Hospitality Management program or a degree in Business Administration or Nutrition, plus three years relevant experience and/or an equivalent combination of education and culinary experience in institutional food service or a high volume dining operation.

Skills & Certifications:

• Outstanding communication and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with catering food management software.
• Serv-Safe and other essential certifications.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work, take initiative, resolve problems, and manage teams and multiple tasks simultaneously
• Flexibility to attend high-end events (includes evenings/weekends).
• College driving credential compliance required.

Duties & ResponsibilitiesManage operations and supervise food preparation for all campus catering operations. Instruct and direct employees to comply with the department's policies, procedures, and standards of performance. Lead catering and dining staff in maintaining customized recipes/menus with the CBORD System. Recommend changes to employee job descriptions and performance standards. Prepare and conduct employee performance appraisals and establish individual performance goals. Interview job applicants and recommend new hires. Develop student workers' budgets and responsible for student worker staffing, scheduling, and training.

Provide exceptional communications and organizational skills to ensure timely responses to catering clients and staff. Provide quotes, contracts, and menus in a timely manner and manage all administrative responsibilities to ensure accuracy and efficient management of the business. Accommodate the particular needs of customers including those with dietary allergy sensitivities or disability needs. Develop healthy, sustainable and creative menus to meet customer satisfaction, review new products for catering and dining with purchasing manager. Utilize college software system (Catertrax) to maintain, update and communicate event information. Accept of decline catering requests to stay within catering resources and provide customers with enough time to find alternate services during our busy times.

Lead catering and dining chefs and cooks in setting standards and ensuring quality for multiple venues. Strong commitment to providing excellent customer focused service and encourage open communication and respectful relationships among the college community, students, faculty and staff. Clearly define and update all department standards and enforce college policies. Establish a meaningful presence and availability to staff working the catering kitchen and delivering across campus. Conduct frequent meetings with staff to review plans, policies, and evaluation of customer feedback. Train, counsel and manage staff to department expectations.

Responsible for meeting budgetary requirements. Monitor and control unit budgets in relation to food, supplies, linen, and equipment in accordance to department guidelines. Responsible for the costing, pricing, reconciliation and billing of each function by the 6th day of the following month. Control labor expenses by effective scheduling of employees to meet the department's budgetary goals and contractual agreements. Verify and approve employees' payrolls. Monitor accuracy of student budget, payrolls and required records.

Oversee and work with staff to facilitate the development and implementation of standards for sanitation to meet all city and state health codes. Support college and department initiatives, campus center catering and summer program operations. Participate in the design and implementation of department training programs. Advise, lead and participate in the planning and execution of high profile special events on campus.

Take initiative to keep current professionally by attending educational training opportunities, and maintain required certification for sanitation, allergen and alcohol supervision. Participate in department and college committees. Perform related duties as assigned.

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application. You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.Review of applications will beginJanuary 20, 2025Position Type:RegularAbout Smith CollegeLocated in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.

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