NACE Career Center

Vanderbilt Catering delivers the excellence expected from Vanderbilt University. As a division of Vanderbilt Campus Dining, we are engaged with our campus community. Whether the function is a continental breakfast for ten, a buffet for one hundred, or a gala dinner for one thousand, Vanderbilt Catering will provide the caliber of food and distinction of service the University expects from its on-campus caterer. As the preferred caterer of the Chancellor's office and much of the university, attention to detail, creativity, and excellence is expected.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Upholds the highest level of knowledge and experience in delivering excellent customer service to catering clients and guests.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with catering staff, student staff, kitchen staff, and contracted wait staff to produce positive results for events.
• Assist with the creation of daily plans and timelines and ensure these plans are executed and followed by delivery drivers, kitchen staff, and contracted wait staff.
• Work closely with kitchen staff to coordinate food timing, quality, and presentation.
• Create, understand, and utilize a "pull sheet" to pack catering materials including food and equipment to ensure a successful event.
• Setup and breakdown of catering events. Knowledge of multiple types of catering setups, table arrangements, and table decor for all types of events.
• Ensure safety and sanitation standards practices are upheld.
• Responsible for driving cargo vans and box trucks to event locations.
• Assist with gathering, loading, and unloading catering equipment.
• Order weekly linen needs for the catering department.
• Communicates with Catering Events Managers to provide feedback and follow up from catered events.
• Clean, maintain and organize catering storage areas and food service equipment. Ensure loaned equipment is returned.
  • Maintain and fuel catering vehicles. Make recommendations for required maintenance
• Responsible for department fuel procurement card
• Work a flexible schedule including nights and weekends based on business demand

Qualifications

* At least 3 years of progressive experience in a high-volume catering operation
* Management experience in food service operations.
* Superior communication skills to effectively and professionally communicate both verbally and in writing using tact and diplomacy with staff, management, and customers. Ability to create written documentation, manuals, and written protocols.
* A high degree of flexibility, energy, initiative, problem-solving and resourcefulness
* Experience within a customer service-oriented environment responding to and meeting/exceeding the needs of the customer; skill in identifying the customer's perspective and maintaining a commitment to excellence in customer service.
* Serve Safe certification preferred or required within 6 months of hire.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.