Catering Manager job description.
A Catering Manager plans and oversees food service for events, from menu planning through on-site execution. They coordinate with clients on requirements and budget, manage kitchen and service staff for events, and ensure food quality, presentation, and timing meet client expectations.
The Catering Manager job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Catering Manager Reports to: Food and Beverage Director or Business Owner
A Catering Manager plans and oversees food service for events, from menu planning through on-site execution. They coordinate with clients on requirements and budget, manage kitchen and service staff for events, and ensure food quality, presentation, and timing meet client expectations.
- Consult with clients to plan menus, timelines, and budgets
- Coordinate staffing, equipment, and supplies for each event
- Oversee food preparation, presentation, and quality standards
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Food and Beverage Director or Business Owner
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Consult with clients to plan menus, timelines, and budgets
- Coordinate staffing, equipment, and supplies for each event
- Oversee food preparation, presentation, and quality standards
- Manage on-site setup, service, and breakdown for events
- Ensure compliance with food safety and health regulations
- Negotiate with vendors and suppliers for event needs
- Prepare cost estimates and manage event budgets
- Train and supervise catering and service staff
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- 3+ years of experience in catering, food service, or hospitality
- Working knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices
- Strong organizational and multitasking skills
- Ability to work evenings and weekends around event schedules
- Food safety certification (e.g., ServSafe)
- Culinary or hospitality management degree
- Experience managing large-scale or high-volume events
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Catering Manager job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Catering Manager job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Food and Beverage Director or Business Owner) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Does a Catering Manager need a food safety certification?
- Many employers require or strongly prefer a food safety certification such as ServSafe.
- What hours does a Catering Manager typically work?
- Hours vary widely and often include evenings and weekends to align with client events.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Event Manager
An event manager plans, coordinates, and executes events ranging from corporate meetings to large-scale conferences and celebrations.
Food and Beverage Manager
A Food and Beverage Manager oversees dining, bar, and catering operations within a hotel, resort, or hospitality venue.
Banquet Captain
A banquet captain supervises event staff and coordinates the setup, service, and breakdown of banquets and catered functions.
This Catering Manager job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.