Catering Staffing & Training Manager

CATERING STAFFING & TRAINING MANAGER

The Catering Staffing & Training Manager is responsible for building, developing, and managing the event staff workforce for Founding Farmers Catering and Events. This role oversees all aspects of recruiting, scheduling, training, and performance management for hourly event staff, ensuring that every event is properly staffed with well-trained, service-oriented team members.

In addition to leading catering staffing operations, this role extends HR support to the commissary where catering operations are housed alongside restaurant production and other programs. This includes assisting with job postings, interview facilitation, and onboarding for hourly commissary positions, serving as a reliable and consistent people operations resource for a team that runs behind the scenes to keep both catering and commissary functions moving.

As a member of the commissary operations team, the Staffing & Training Manager works closely with catering sales, culinary, and commissary leadership to deliver consistent, high-quality staffing support across both environments. This role requires strong organizational skills, a people-first approach, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, event-driven environment.

Pay Range: $75k-90k

BENEFITS & PERKS:

• Competitive pay
• Health insurance plans available for as low as $130 per month after 90 days of employment
• Dental and vision plans
• Paid time off
• Discounted shift meal and generous dining discount
• Company sponsored 401k
• Paid pregnancy and parental leave
• Voluntary benefits: short-term disability and accident insurance
• Free access to company massage therapist
• Discounted gym & yoga membership
• Free mental health therapy through our partner ComPsych, where employees and their immediate family members receive confidential sessions available virtually or in-person
• Training and career growth opportunities
• Free Employee Assistance Program with resources for legal, financial, and life needs

WHAT OUR CATERING STAFFING & TRAINING MANAGER DOES:

• Staff Recruitment & Onboarding
• Interview, and hire event staff including servers, bartenders, kitchen staff, captains
• Manage onboarding, orientation, and initial training for new event staff
• Maintain an active pool of reliable on-call and part-time event staff to meet fluctuating demand
• Assist commissary operations by facilitating the hiring and onboarding process for hourly positions, to include:
• Ensure roles are listed accurately and in a timely manner
• Assist in reviewing applications for hourly positions and scheduling interviews
• Manage the onboarding and commissary-specific orientation for all new hires
• Scheduling & Staffing Logistics
• Collaborate with the sales team to ensure appropriate staffing levels, positions and structure for events based on guest count, service style, event type, and client requirements
• Match staff skill sets and experience levels to the right roles and events
• Build and distribute staff schedules for all events
• Manage last-minute cancellations, no-shows, and replacements with minimal disruption
• Staff Development & Training
• Collaborate with catering leadership to establish service standards and training requirements
• Create and administer all training programs to ensure the highest levels of service for the event guest experience.
• Identify high-performing staff for advancement into lead or captain roles
• Regularly conduct performance conversations and provide actionable feedback
• Own and administer additional training programs for the commissary team, including event staff such as delivery driver training, food safety, and alcohol service.
• Compliance & Documentation
• Ensure all staff have required certifications (e.g., TIPS/ServSafe, food handler permits)
• Maintain accurate employee records, availability, and scheduling data
• Collaborate with HR to ensure compliance with labor laws, including overtime, break requirements, and minor work restrictions
• Communication & Coordination
• Serve as the primary point of contact for staff regarding scheduling, expectations, and event details
• Coordinate closely with the culinary team, event sales team, and operations managers to align staffing with event logistics
• Distribute event briefs, attire requirements, and role-specific instructions to staff before each event
• Labor Validation, Hourly Tracking & Tip Distribution
• Ensure all labor is validated and recorded following each event
• Monitor labor costs against event budgets and flag overages to management
• Manage tip pooling policies and communicate them clearly to staff
• Performance & Culture Management
• Address attendance issues, performance problems, and disciplinary matters professionally
• Foster a positive, team-oriented culture that encourages staff retention
• Recognize and reward reliability and excellence to reduce turnover
• All other duties as assigned

WHAT YOU NEED TO BE A CATERING STAFFING & TRAINING MANAGER:

• Experience in hospitality staffing, workforce management, or a related field required
• Strong leadership and people management skills with a service-first mindset
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple events and schedules simultaneously
• Experience developing and delivering training programs in a hospitality or event environment
• Familiarity with labor compliance requirements including overtime regulations, TIPS/ServSafe, and food handler permits
• Ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure, especially when managing last-minute staffing changes
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Culinary, Operations, and HR
• Comfort using scheduling software, HR systems, and workforce management tools
• Capacity to work evenings and weekends as needed based on event schedules
• Ability to speak, read, write, and understand the primary language or languages used in the workplace