Hiring:
catering Manager

Position Summary

MeeshMeesh Mediterranean is seeking a highly organized, hospitality-driven Catering Manager to lead and grow our catering business. This role is responsible for generating new business, managing client relationships, coordinating successful events, and ensuring every catering experience reflects the quality and hospitality our restaurant is known for.

The ideal candidate is an equal parts salesperson, event planner, project manager, and hospitality professional. They thrive in a fast-paced environment, communicate exceptionally well, and enjoy building lasting relationships with clients while collaborating closely with restaurant leadership and operations.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Business Development

• Respond promptly to catering inquiries and convert leads into booked events.

• Build and maintain close relationships with corporate clients, venues, schools, nonprofits, and key local members of the Louisville community.

• Verbal or in person client consultations to understand and create the vision for the event needs. 

• Conduct site visits to understand how to staff and execute the clients vision. .

• Develop proposals, estimates, and catering contracts.

• Identify opportunities to increase repeat business and referrals.

• Meet or exceed monthly and annual catering revenue goals.

Client Experience

• Serve as the primary point of contact from inquiry through event completion.

• Guide clients through menu selection and event logistics.

• Communicate proactively throughout the planning process.

• Resolve client concerns professionally and efficiently.

• Follow up after each event to gather feedback and encourage testimonials and repeat bookings.

Event Coordination

• Create detailed event orders and timelines.

• Coordinate staffing, rentals, transportation, and event logistics.

• Communicate event details clearly with kitchen and operations teams.

• Ensure every event is executed accurately and on time.

• Support on-site event execution as needed.

Operations

• Maintain accurate event calendars and booking systems.

• Monitor food, service ware, and labor costs for catered events.

• Hire and maintain a 1099 staff for larger demand events; schedule all 1099 staff for events appropriately.

• Ensure catering standards and procedures are consistently followed.

• Monitor, order, and maintain inventory counts on all catering equipment and service ware

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.

Marketing & Community Engagement

• Promote catering services through networking and community outreach.

• Collaborate on seasonal catering promotions and campaigns.

• Represent MeeshMeesh at community events and networking opportunities.

• Help maintain an active pipeline of new catering opportunities.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of catering, hospitality, event planning, event captain or managing, banquets and/or restaurant management experience.

• Proven sales and customer service experience.

• Exceptional organizational and time management skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication.

• Ability to manage multiple events simultaneously.

• Ability to work with different types of individuals; corporate clients, wedding planners, personal clients 

• Comfortable working evenings and weekends when events require.

• Experience with catering or restaurant software preferred.

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required

Success Measures

Success in this position will be measured by:

• Catering revenue growth

• Exceeding client expectations

• Repeat business

• Positive online reviews and testimonials

• Accurate and detailed event execution

• Team communication and collaboration

• Achievement of sales goals

30/60/90-Day Onboarding Plan

First 30 Days – Learn & Observe

Objectives

• Understand the MeeshMeesh brand and hospitality philosophy.

• Learn catering menus, pricing, and operational processes.

• Become proficient with catering software, calendars, and communication systems.

• Shadow catering events and restaurant operations.

• Build relationships with kitchen, management, and event staff.

Expected Outcomes

• Successfully manage smaller catering inquiries with guidance.

• Demonstrate knowledge of menus and pricing.

• Complete training on event workflows and documentation.

• Begin responding to client inquiries independently.

Days 31–60 – Lead & Build

Objectives

• Independently manage catering inquiries from start to finish.

• Coordinate multiple catering events simultaneously.

• Develop relationships with existing catering clients.

• Participate in local networking and business development.

• Identify opportunities to improve processes and client experience.

Expected Outcomes

• Execute events with minimal supervision.

• Consistently deliver timely proposals and client communications.

• Generate new catering leads through outreach.

• Receive positive client and team feedback.

Days 61–90 – Own the Business

Objectives

• Fully own the catering department's daily operations.

• Manage the catering calendar and event execution independently.

• Develop strategies for revenue growth and repeat business.

• Analyze catering performance and recommend improvements.

• Become a trusted leader within the restaurant.

Expected Outcomes

• Independently oversee the full catering process from inquiry to post-event follow-up.

• Meet established sales and service expectations.

• Maintain high client satisfaction and operational excellence.

• Present a six-month growth plan for the catering department, including sales goals, marketing ideas, and operational improvements.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation: Base Salary + Commission

Benefits

At MeeshMeesh Mediterranean, we believe in taking care of the people who take care of our guests. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Weekly Pay

• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off (PTO)

• 401(k) plan with company matching

• Employee dining discounts at affiliated restaurants

• Annual budget for uniforms and professional appearance

• Annual research & development (R&D) budget for industry events, tastings, and culinary exploration

• Continued education and professional development opportunities, including hospitality, sales, and leadership training

Growth Opportunity

This position offers the opportunity to play a meaningful role in the continued growth of MeeshMeesh Mediterranean's catering program. The Catering Manager will have the autonomy to develop new business, strengthen community partnerships, refine operational processes, and help shape the future of our catering department while advancing their own professional career.