Meeting & Experience Coordinator

Job Position: Meeting & Experience Coordinator

Wage: $18 - $21 per hour

Hours: Monday to Friday, 7am to 3:30pm (some earlier/later availability is needed, based on in-office events)

Location: Chicago Downtown, IL

Job Summary

As a Food for Thought Meeting & Experience Coordinator, you will be an integral part of our Workspace Solutions team, supporting the day-to-day operations of one of our client’s conference centers. This role requires an organized, detail-oriented, and proactive individual who thrives in a dynamic environment, provides exceptional client service, and ensures meetings and events are executed seamlessly.

The Meeting & Experience Coordinator works closely with the Food For Thought kitchen and warehouse teams to ensure smooth and efficient ordering and delivery process. This position also involves managing catering logistics, setting up and breaking down meeting spaces, maintaining pantry supplies, and ensuring the overall guest experience meets the highest standards of quality and hospitality.

Responsibilities

• Delivering all products for events on time.

• Place catering orders using internal catering software systems and coordinate with both internal (FFT kitchen and warehouse) and external vendors as needed.

• Deliver and set up all catering products for meetings and events on time, ensuring accuracy and presentation quality

• Collaborate with the FFT kitchen and warehouse teams to ensure smooth ordering and delivery processes

• Maintain and restock office pantries, as needed, ensuring inventory levels are appropriate and consistent

• Set up meeting rooms, including table arrangements, linen, catering setups, and beverage service

• Create and display tent cards for menu labeling, including dietary notations

• Be knowledgeable and attentive to dietary restrictions and special requests, ensuring accurate labeling and accommodation

• Receive and inspect deliveries, ensuring product quality, temperature, and accuracy

• Maintain organization and cleanliness of catering areas, pantries, carts, and storage spaces

• Clean coffee and beverage equipment daily and ensure all tools and supplies are in good working order

• Assist with special events, cross-training, and other operational tasks as needed

• Follow all safety procedures, maintaining clean and dry floors to prevent slip/fall incidents

Required Qualifications

• Experience catering, food service, or hospitality operations.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across departments and with client contacts

• Ability to multitask and stay organized in a fast-paced environment

• Experience using catering or event management software to submit and manage orders

• Comfortable working with dietary restrictions and allergen labeling

• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and event needs

Preferred Qualifications

• Team-oriented with a collaborative and proactive approach.

• Outgoing and professional demeanor with a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.

• Experience in a corporate hospitality or conference center environment.

Why We’re the Leaders

• Excellent training
• Employee Referral bonuses
• Flexible scheduling
• Career advancement opportunities
• Competitive Pay
• Anniversary Milestone Incentives

Company Values & Culture

• Collaboration & Open Communication

• Diverse, Inclusive, Safe, and Motivating

• Our Triple Bottom Line – People, Product and Planet

• A Net Positive Organization

Grow with us! - at Food For Thought, instruction, advice, and assistance are always readily available, which is why our average tenure is 5 years. The U.S. average is 4.3 years, while the Hospitality industry average is only 2 years!

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, move, reach, grab, and stand for long periods of time. As well as stooping, kneeling, crouching, and climbing ladders. The employee will regularly be required to lift and carry items of 40 pounds for a moderate distance. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will occasionally be exposed to heavy equipment such as delivery vehicles or fork trucks.

EEO Statement

Food For Thought provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

E-Verify Participation

Food For Thought participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS.