What does a Catering Coordinator do?
Catering coordinators manage food operations of special events at hotels, resorts, and other public establishments. They meet and greet guests, oversee food presentation, and coordinate event tasks while managing staff and performing administrative duties. Catering coordinators ensure they provide a welcoming environment for guests and clients. They effectively communicate with all guests and staff in a friendly, courteous, and timely manner and organize and coordinate event timelines, ensuring that the service runs smoothly and effectively. They correspond and oversee the event set up, break down, and pay attention to client requests, including specific themes or colors and decorations.
Catering coordinators process and receive food orders on time and stay mindful of particular dietary concerns or needs, including a vegan meal or food allergy. They maintain a running inventory of food and office supplies and liaise with vendors and external suppliers. They manage staff schedules and oversee catering and kitchen staff to ensure service moves quickly and efficiently. They assist management with food and decor budgets, manage finances, and maintain high personal grooming standards and a professional demeanor. Catering coordinators need a bachelor's or associate's degree in hospitality, culinary arts, or related fields.
- Schedule team members to ensure appropriate coverage and service for events.
- Experiment with new trends in menu items and recipes.
- Maintain punctuality in daily work times, appointments, and meetings.
- Oversee service of group functions once they are in house.
- Communicate with each delivery guest the expected time of arrival.
- Deliver consistent quality in planning and execution of events.
- Respond to opportunities, issues, and concerns with a sense of urgency.
- Continuously provide employees with verbal recognition, direction, and support.
- Report all accidents and injuries in a timely manner.
- Take, place and prepare catering orders and teach others to do so effectively.
- Oversight of the sales process for catering and/or conference services.
- Keep work area neat and clean while following all safety and sanitation procedures.
- Maintain and improve service level resulting in increased customer satisfaction.
- Conduct cash drops, review credit card totals, and verify deposit slips.
- Track and monitor the labor and food cost for each event.
- Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
- Develop and execute strategies to achieve catering revenue forecasts.
- Bachelor's Degree in business.
- Strong command of English language and good communication skills.
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.
- A confident, natural leader and problem solver with demonstrated critical thinking and collaboration skills.
- Comfortable making decisions and multitasking.
- Able to display strong work ethic and positive attitude.
How much does a Catering Coordinator make?
Base Pay
Additional Pay
$49,093
/ yrCatering Coordinator Career Path
Learn how to become a Catering Coordinator, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Catering Coordinator Insights
Chick-fil-A“it was a great experience and gave me the ability to learn more about the customers”
Sodexo“2% Raise is the best I have gotten and I keep getting told that's the way Sodexo works”
Aloha Foundation“Super welcoming and super fun people to work with.”
“Flexible and fun people to work with.”
JOEY Restaurants“I have been supported and educated by my team along each step of the way.”
Naomi's Catering, Inc.“Yes the pay is about 20 a hour but the stress and the verbal/physical abuse is not worth the pay.”
Ocean Reef Club“Pay was great and I loved everyone I worked with!”
English Heritage“Good fun and options for career progression”
Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Catering Coordinator
- Food and Beverage Manager
- Bartender
- Server
- Host