Catering Lead

As a Catering Lead at Panera Bread, you'll oversee daily catering operations within our Food & Beverage Operations team. You'll coordinate with café, kitchen, and delivery teams to ensure accurate, on-time orders for business, group, and community events while upholding Panera's focus on quality ingredients and warm hospitality. You will partner with guests to plan menus, manage digital and in-café catering orders, monitor inventory, and coach associates on catering processes and food safety.

In this role, you'll support sales growth, resolve service issues, and help create welcoming experiences that reflect Panera's culture of respect, inclusivity, and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily catering operations, ensuring accurate, on-time orders for business, group, and community events
• Coordinate with café, kitchen, and delivery teams to meet Panera quality and hospitality standards
• Partner with guests to plan menus, confirm details, and provide warm, solution-focused service
• Oversee order assembly, packaging, and presentation to brand and food safety standards
• Monitor inventory for catering items and communicate needs to management
• Train and coach associates on catering processes, quality, and guest service expectations
• Use digital tools and catering systems to manage orders, schedules, and follow-ups
• Resolve service issues promptly and professionally to maintain guest satisfaction
• Support sales growth through community outreach and repeat business follow-up
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and company policies

Required Skills

• Catering order management
• Food safety and sanitation
• Customer service
• Team leadership
• Time management
• Point-of-sale (POS) and catering software
• Inventory management
• Menu knowledge and upselling
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving