Catering Operation Manager
Company: Social Express Catering & Meal Prep (SECMP)
Location: Metro Atlanta, GA (On-site)
Job Type: Full-Time
Compensation:$50,000–$55,000/year (based on experience) + KPI bonus opportunity
Schedule: Early mornings required; some weekends/evenings depending on business needs
Reports To: COO + CEO/Executive Chef
Direct Reports: Kitchen staff (Catering Specialists/Cooks), Drivers, Shift Leads
Role Summary
Social Express Catering & Meal Prep (SECMP) is hiring a seasoned Operations Manager to run the day-to-day execution of our production kitchen, staffing, and delivery operations.
This role is for a true operator—someone who is organized, disciplined, and can lead people while driving performance through KPIs. You will be responsible for making sure our daily operations run smoothly across:
Large-scale daily meal production + packing
Delivery logistics and on-time dispatch
Inventory readiness and waste control
Kitchen structure, cleanliness, and compliance
Staff scheduling and accountability
Support for catering and event readiness (Chef-led execution)
This is not a desk job. You will be hands-on and fully responsible for keeping the business running without chaos.
Key Responsibilities
1) Own Daily Production & Kitchen Execution
- Run daily operations including prep, cook, packing, staging, load-out, and reset
- Lead daily pre-shift huddles and assign stations with deadlines
- Enforce consistency in portioning, food quality, packaging, and accuracy
- Prevent “fire drills” by planning ahead and controlling the pace of the kitchen
- Ensure the kitchen is clean, organized, and production-ready at all times
2) Build the Daily/Weekly Plan (No Guesswork)
- Create daily production timelines and prep lists
- Coordinate staffing coverage based on volume and deadlines
- Ensure all teams know the plan: who is doing what, by what time, and how it must look
- Control overtime by planning ahead—not reacting late
3) Dispatch & Delivery Accountability
- Confirm driver coverage daily and ensure smooth route execution
- Maintain strict dispatch procedures:
- correct loading order
- route-ready staging
- equipment sign-out and return tracking
- departure time tracking
- Identify delivery risks early and correct them before they become failures
- Hold drivers accountable for accuracy, timeliness, and professionalism
4) Inventory, Ordering & Waste Control
- Maintain par levels for food, packaging, and disposables
- Track key inventory items that impact daily output (protein, trays, containers, labels, etc.)
- Reduce waste through better forecasting, FIFO, and prep discipline
- Communicate shortages immediately to leadership with a solution plan
5) Food Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Enforce food safety and sanitation requirements daily
- Ensure all required logs are completed (temps, sanitation, cleaning schedules, etc.)
- Maintain compliance culture: no shortcuts, no excuses
- Correct issues fast and prevent repeat mistakes
6) Staff Leadership & Performance Management
- Train and coach staff to standards (SOPs, station expectations, speed, cleanliness)
- Hold staff accountable for punctuality, professionalism, and performance
- Support hiring and onboarding in partnership with CEO/COO
- Document recurring performance issues and implement corrective actions
7) Catering & Events Support (Executive Chef-Led)
The Executive Chef owns all event strategy, planning, day-of execution, and culinary direction.
The Operations Manager supports Chef by ensuring readiness.
- Coordinate staffing support for event prep needs
- Ensure equipment, supplies, and disposables are staged on time
- Keep kitchen production protected so events don’t disrupt daily obligations
- Ensure the kitchen is reset and ready after event prep work
8) Daily Reporting & KPI Management
- Track performance with clear metrics and trends
- Provide a daily recap to COO/CEO including:
- on-time dispatch status
- packing accuracy/mistakes
- staffing issues/callouts
- inventory gaps
- corrective actions taken
- Lead weekly KPI review and improvement actions
KPI Scorecard (What Success Looks Like)
Execution & Delivery
- On-time dispatch: 98% weekly
- Missed routes/sites: 0
- Packing accuracy: 99%
Quality & Compliance
- Log completion: 95% daily
- Critical food safety incidents: 0
- Client complaints: decreasing trend
Labor & Efficiency
- Labor hours within weekly plan
- Overtime controlled and approved only
- Reduced waste month-over-month
Team Reliability
- 100% route/shift coverage
- Improved punctuality + reduced callouts
- Training completed within required timelines
Qualifications
- 3–7+ years leadership in catering, meal prep, high-volume kitchens, or food production
- Proven ability to manage a team and hit deadlines consistently
- Strong organization and time management
- Confident communicator and firm leader
- Comfortable being hands-on and moving fast in a production environment
- ServSafe Manager
- Experience with multi-route delivery logistics and packing systems
- Experience implementing SOPs and KPI tracking
What Success Looks Like (30/60/90 Days)
First 30 Days
- Kitchen runs with structure (huddles, stations, deadlines, checklists)
- Dispatch procedure locked in and consistent
Staffing schedule stabilized and reliable
By 60 Days
- Accuracy improves, fewer mistakes, fewer emergency issues
- Overtime reduced through planning and control
Inventory is consistent with fewer shortages
By 90 Days
- Operations runs smoothly without owner micromanagement
- KPI targets consistently hit
- Staff culture becomes more accountable and performance-driven
How to Apply
Submit your resume and a short message answering:
- What is the largest kitchen/production operation you’ve managed?
- What KPIs have you been responsible for?
- What is your leadership style—firm, structured, fast-paced?
About Social Express Catering & Meal Prep (SECMP)
Feeding Atlanta with Flavor, Nutrition & Heart
Social Express Catering & Meal Prep (SECMP) is a high-volume, chef-led food service company based in Metro Atlanta. We deliver bold flavor, nutritional integrity, and tailored experiences through three pillars: high-end event catering, healthy prepared meals, and youth/community meal programs. Whether we're curating a luxury wedding menu, supporting busy professionals with chef-prepped meals, or serving thousands of children through government-funded programs—our promise is the same: real food, made with care, designed to elevate, nourish, and connect.
Our Story
SECMP was founded by Chef Jarvis Williams, a chef and entrepreneur with a passion for global cuisine and community impact. What began as a local meal prep concept quickly scaled into a multi-service culinary operation driven by demand for quality, consistency, and creativity. Chef Jarvis’ wife, Zaria Williams, RN, serves as COO & Chief of Nutrition. With her clinical background, Zaria ensures all offerings—from plated dinners to kids meals—meet rigorous standards for safety, health, and compliance. Together, they’ve built a business that’s just as comfortable catering weddings as it is managing citywide feeding contracts.
What We Do
• Event Catering: From weddings and milestone celebrations to nonprofit galas, corporate lunches, film sets, and private chef dinners—our team executes events with tiered service options ranging from drop-off to full-service.
• Healthy Meal Prep: Chef-crafted, nutritionally balanced meals designed for athletes, busy families, healthcare workers, and wellness-focused clients. Subscription and bulk orders available.
• Contract Meal Service (CACFP & Community Feeding): We produce and deliver high-quality, reimbursable meals that meet all federal/state guidelines. Kid-tested, culturally inclusive, and fully compliant.
• Specialty & Therapeutic Menus: Need allergen-friendly, vegetarian, Halal, or texture-modified options? Our team can develop customized solutions that meet medical or cultural needs.
Who We Serve
• Private & social event clients
• Busy individuals and families seeking weekly prepared meals
• Corporate teams, film production sets, and brand activations
• City & county youth programs (afterschool, enrichment, summer feeding)
• Charter & private schools
• Nonprofits, senior centers, and healthcare partners
Our Difference
We don’t just feed people—we curate experiences. SECMP blends culinary artistry with operational excellence. Our dual focus on upscale hospitality and scalable food delivery makes us one of the few companies that can handle a 300-person gala and 1000 daily kids meals in the same week—with the same care.
Food Philosophy
Scratch where it counts. Flavor first. Nutrition always.
• Globally inspired, chef-tested menus
• Lean proteins, whole grains, and seasonal produce
• Thoughtful, elevated presentation—even for everyday meals
• Menus that reflect the diversity of Atlanta and its communities
Leadership
Chef Jarvis Williams
CEO & Executive Chef
Vision, culinary innovation, brand strategy, partnership development.
Zaria Williams, RN
COO & Chief of Nutrition
Operations, compliance, nutrition oversight, quality assurance.
Work With Us
We’re actively hiring and expanding. From event chefs and delivery drivers to catering specialists and kitchen support—we’re building a team that thrives in fast-paced, purpose-driven environments.
Fast Facts
• Headquarters: Metro Atlanta, GA
• Core Services: Event catering, chef-guided meal prep, CACFP meals
• Daily Capacity: 1000+ meals/day for contract programs; unlimited for events/prep
• Clients: Families, schools, corporations, municipalities, production teams
• Founded by a chef. Powered by a nurse. Built for impact.