Catering and Projects Assistant Manager

Looking for a non-stop and exciting place to work? Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute harboring some of the world's brightest minds. Our Caltech Dining Services Department (CDS) is in search of hiring and cultivating equally talented individuals who are positive, enthusiastic, and passionate about what they do. We are fast-paced, creative, hands on, and round-the-clock. If you thrive on teamwork, have a great work ethic, positive attitude, and are indispensably flexible and quick to adapt to an always changing environment, join us and be a part of this leading edge and innovative community. Our mission is to provide great food, service, and experience for our students and community.

CDS operates four dining units (Browne Dining Hall, Red Door Marketplace, Broad Café, and Avery Kitchen) for a campus community of 2000. We also serve over 950 students, 7 days a week, through our Meal Program and maintain a burgeoning Catering Department.

This is an Essential Reporting position. An employee designated as essential reporting has essential job skills that are needed for response and recovery and is expected to report to Campus as soon as possible in an emergency.

Job Summary

The Catering and Project Assistant Manager is responsible for ensuring daily catering events are successfully set up and executed per event order. They will assist the Catering Manager and Catering Department with events and dining-related assignments. They are responsible for keeping all catering items stocked and on hand as needed. Excellent customer service skills and communication skills are a must. They must possess attention to detail, an eye for design and all things visually pleasing, and an understanding of the necessary logistics for each event at each venue location. They will have a strong ability to coordinate multiple events at the same time and maintain a teamwork mentality that exemplifies ownership and initiative. In addition to catering events, this position will also be tasked with special assignments/projects for the catering department and assist other managers and their departments as needed.

Essential Job Duties

• Oversees schedules, assignments, training, and monitoring of catering coordinators and temporary staffing during, leading up to, and at the end of each catering event.
• Responsible for efficient and timely event set-up and scheduling of labor side by side with the catering team
• Provides guidance and training to staff in specific set-up techniques with regard to display, flow, efficiency, and timing.
• Able to execute catering displays per customer’s themed request and according to client’s level of event (simple, casual, elegant, gala, etc.).
• Evaluates events, staff, and service performance in order to make improvements and changes were needed.
• Communicates customer feedback to the Catering.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and maintains the highest standards of sanitation and safety.
• Ensures employee work areas are ready for servicing customers.
• Coordinate support staff covering workstations.
• Maintain Product and Equipment inventory.
• Communicates effectively, providing clear, direct instructions on work expectations.
• Maintain a positive relationship with all staff and customers.
• Must be able to confront a challenge or adverse situation with calm, resolve, and an open, can-do attitude and positive mindset.
• Cultivates a positive and productive workplace by setting the example with clear communication, vision, teamwork, ownership, and an upbeat attitude.
• Ability to work varying shifts due to event schedule and department needs including nights and weekends.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• 2 years of catering experience or equivalent.
• Demonstrated leadership ability.
• Demonstrated team-building ability.
• ServSafe Certification or the ability to obtain certification immediately after hire.
• Physical ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs., stand for long periods at a time, move, bend, twist, lift, push, pull, squat, reach, and walk.
• Ability to complete administrative tasks including invoices, order forms, schedules, audio visual specs, menus, and budgets.
• Time management skills and ability to work in high-pressure situations.
• Keen eye for detail with strong multitasking abilities.
• Proficient computer skills with the ability to communicate well via email, fill out templates, budgets, and order forms.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Food and restaurant experience at a high-volume organization or in a university setting.
• Ability to speak proficient Spanish.
  
  

Required Documents

• Resume
  
  

Hiring Range

$23.00 - $27.25 Per Hour

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at