8 Qualities to Look for When Hiring a Catering Manager

Your catering manager plays a critical role in the success of your catering business. From ensuring seamless event execution to maintaining high standards of food hygiene and customer service, the right catering manager makes all the difference. Their impact extends beyond managing catered events—they’re responsible for overseeing catering staff, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. 

Whether you're hiring for a small catering business or a large hospitality operation, finding the right person for the job is crucial. Let’s break down the key qualities to look for when hiring a catering manager.

8 Essential Qualities of a Successful Catering Manager 

A good catering manager wears multiple hats, balancing food preparation, customer service, and business operations. They need a diverse skill set that allows them to manage the dynamic nature of the hospitality industry with both predictability and flexibility. 

Key catering manager responsibilities include: 

• Planning and executing catered events
• Managing catering staff and vendor relationships
• Creating menus tailored to client needs
• Ensuring compliance with food hygiene and safety regulations
• Overseeing budget and cost control

With these responsibilities in mind, let's explore the top qualities that define a great catering manager. These eight qualities include: 

1. Organizational Skills: Catering managers oversee multiple tasks, timelines, and teams, ensuring every detail of an event is meticulously planned and executed. 
2. Industry Expertise: A deep understanding of the catering industry, trends, and best practices is vital for anticipating client needs. 
3. Leadership Skills: A catering manager must inspire and motivate their team, always ensuring smooth operations and high-quality service. 
4. Communication Skills: Clear and concise communication is necessary for collaborating with clients, vendors, and staff, ensuring all expectations are understood and met (if not exceeded). 
5. Problem-Solving Ability: A good catering manager thinks quickly and creatively to resolve unexpected challenges, keeping events running smoothly. 
6. Attention to Detail: A keen eye for detail is crucial for maintaining high standards across the entire event, from food preparation to client interactions and service delivery. 
7. Financial Acumen: Catering managers must effectively manage budgets, control costs, and optimize resources to maintain profitability without sacrificing service quality. 
8. Passion for Hospitality: Individuals with genuine passion for hospitality provide better customer service, leaving lasting, positive impressions on clients and guests.

4 Organizational Skills 

Effective organizational skills are essential for a catering manager, as they juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities simultaneously. Look for candidates who prioritize tasks, manage resources efficiently, and ensure every detail is addressed without missing a beat. 

What to look for: 

1. Proven experience in managing multiple events and deadlines simultaneously.
2. Strong ability to create and maintain detailed event schedules and checklists.
3. Skill in coordinating logistics, staff, and vendor relationships to ensure smooth event execution.
4. Ability to delegate tasks effectively while maintaining overall control of event operations.

3 Event Planning and Execution Skills 

When hiring a catering manager, a strong background in managing catered events is a must. Your ideal candidate should have proven experience handling everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale corporate functions. Look for candidates with a track record of successfully planning logistics, coordinating with vendors, and ensuring smooth service during events. 

Look for: 

1. Experience in catering management within the hospitality industry.
2. Familiarity with different catering styles, such as buffet-style catering and family-style meals.
3. Ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt to last-minute changes.

3 Leadership and Team Management Skills 

Catering managers must be capable leaders who inspire their teams to perform at their best. Managing catering staff requires a blend of leadership, motivation, and conflict resolution skills. A great manager leads by example, ensuring food preparation and service run smoothly while maintaining a positive work environment. 

What to look for: 

1. Experience leading diverse teams in high-pressure environments. 
2. A track record of improving staff efficiency and morale. 
3. Ability to delegate tasks effectively and provide constructive feedback. 

3 Exceptional Communication and Interpersonal Skills 

Excellent communication is essential when dealing with clients, vendors, and staff. A catering manager must clearly convey expectations, negotiate contracts, and handle customer concerns with professionalism. Strong interpersonal skills not only help build lasting client relationships but also play a crucial role in managing conflicts and de-escalating tense situations when issues arise. 

What to look for: 

1. Confidence in negotiating with clients and suppliers.
2. Effective listening skills to understand client needs.
3. A customer-first approach to handling inquiries and concerns.

3 Real-Life Problem-Solving Skills 

Catering events are unpredictable, and a catering manager must be able to think on their feet. From last-minute menu changes to unexpected guest count fluctuations, problem-solving is a vital skill. The ability to remain calm and quickly find solutions provides a smooth experience for clients and guests alike. 

To assess your candidate’s judgment and problem-solving abilities, use situational and scenario-based interview questions, which present real-life challenges they may encounter on the job. This approach reveals how well they think on their feet and handle high-pressure situations. 

What to look for: 

1. Demonstrated ability to handle unexpected challenges.
2. Quick decision-making skills without compromising service quality.
3. Willingness to adjust plans while maintaining professionalism.

Attention to Detail and Creativity 

In catering, every detail—from the arrangement of the table settings to the presentation of each dish—plays a significant role in delivering a memorable experience. A great catering manager ensures all elements align with the client’s vision, from coordinating color schemes to the precise timing of food service.  

Additionally, creativity is key when designing customized menus that reflect the event’s theme and guests’ preferences. By merging thoughtful precision with creative ideas, you can ensure every event is flawlessly executed. 

What to look for: 

• A keen eye for detail in event planning and food presentation.
• Ability to design innovative and appealing catering menus.
• Experience in working within specific themes or dietary restrictions.

Financial Acumen and Budget Management 

Running a profitable catering business also requires a catering manager with strong financial skills. They should be able to create budgets, control costs, and ensure the catering services remain financially sustainable without compromising quality.  

During the hiring process, evaluate your candidate’s financial acumen by asking about their experience with budgeting, cost-saving initiatives, and financial planning for past events. Additionally, provide one or two hypothetical budgeting scenarios to assess their ability to allocate resources effectively and maximize profitability. 

Look for the following:

• Experience managing catering budgets and cost control measures.
• Understanding of pricing strategies and expense tracking.
• Ability to optimize resources without overspending.

Passion for Hospitality and Customer Service 

A successful catering manager is genuinely passionate about hospitality and delivering exceptional customer service. Their enthusiasm sets the tone for your entire team, ensuring every event leaves a lasting positive impression. 

Here's what to look for: 

• A customer-centric approach to service. 
• A commitment to exceeding client expectations. 
• Enthusiasm for food, service, and the overall guest experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Catering Managers 

What does a catering manager do? 

A catering manager oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of professionally catered events. They manage staff, liaise with clients, handle vendor relationships, and ensure food safety and quality. 

On top of that, they’re responsible for creating menus tailored to client preferences, managing budgets, and ensuring the event runs smoothly. They must also ensure compliance with health and safety regulations while maintaining excellent customer service.  

This role demands strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills to handle the dynamic nature of catering events. 

How long does it take to become a catering manager? 

Becoming a catering manager typically requires three to seven years of experience in the catering or hospitality industry. Before qualifying for a catering manager position, most professionals start working in entry-level positions like a catering assistant or event coordinator. This allows them to gain practical knowledge in food service, event planning, and customer management and work their way up.  

Many catering managers also pursue a degree in hospitality management or related fields to expedite their career progression. Gaining hands-on experience, developing leadership skills, and working with diverse catering teams also speeds up the journey to a management position. 

What is the highest position in catering? 

The highest position in catering is usually the Executive Chef or Director of Catering. The Executive Chef oversees kitchen operations, restaurant catering menu design, and food preparation, ensuring all meals meet high culinary standards. The Director of Catering, on the other hand, is responsible for the strategic management of catering operations, client relationships, and overall event coordination.  

Both are senior roles and typically require extensive experience in catering management, evident leadership abilities, and a thorough understanding of the catering industry. Both roles also come with a salary exceeding the national average for typical catering roles. 

Do catering companies make a lot of money? 

Catering companies can be profitable, but their earnings depend on factors like their booked events pipeline, clientele, and business model. High-end catering services for weddings, corporate events, and galas typically generate significant revenue. However, the net profit may be slim due to high costs of ingredients, staff, and equipment.  

Success in the catering business relies on maintaining efficient operations, controlling costs, and attracting repeat clients. Catering companies that focus on a specific niche (like gluten free or vegan catering) or high-value markets (like weddings, corporate fundraisers, and conferences) typically earn more by offering specialized services that meet the needs of a targeted clientele. 

What type of catering is most profitable? 

High-end catering for large events, such as weddings, corporate galas, and upscale parties, is often the most profitable type. These events typically come with higher budgets and larger guest lists, which allow catering businesses to charge premium prices for quality food and service.  

Additionally, catering services that specialize in niche markets, such as organic, vegan, or culturally specific menus, can command higher rates due to the specialized nature of their offerings. Corporate catering, where businesses hire caterers for regular meetings, seminars, or retreats, is another lucrative segment. 

Hiring Your First or Next Catering Manager 

Finding the right catering manager is essential to your business's long-term success. Focus on candidates who excel in leadership, organization, and communication, while also demonstrating problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and financial acumen. A true passion for hospitality work is equally important to ensuring a seamless experience for your clients. 

Ready to take your catering services to the next level? Book a demo to learn how Paytronix catering solutions helps you streamline operations and improve customer satisfaction.