McKinney True TX BBQ - Catering Specialist - Full time

Job Summary: As your Restaurant's Catering Specialist, you'll promote, price, plan, coordinate, and execute special event orders. Based on your knowledge and expertise, you'll make suggestions and provide options to help each customer plan the perfect function, and then follow through on service and food quality to ensure complete satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

Food Service:

• Creates / consults on menus based on knowledge of food and food prep, available kitchen capacity, prep / cook times, event specifics, etc.
• Trains line / prep cooks to help with catering orders
• Ensures all government / company regulations and standards for product freshness, safety, refrigeration, and sanitation are met
• Assists purchasing / receiving tasks for total restaurant facility
• Prepares required paperwork, including forms, reports, and schedules in an organized and timely manner
• Directs administrative details such as financial operations, dissemination of promotional materials, and responses to inquiries
• Consults with customers to determine objectives / requirements for events such as meetings, special parties, and banquets
• Obtains event-related specifications and pertinent information (e.g., number attending, schedule of events, menu, etc.)
• Creates quotes; prepares contracts; secures customer signatures; collects deposits as required
• Regularly reviews upcoming event function sheets; modifies as needed
• Documents final arrangements with clients; maintains records of event aspects, including financial details; prepares schedules for each off-site event
• Directs / supervises breakdown and cleanup after each event
• Accounts for all equipment and supplies; returns restaurant items to storage areas
• Coordinates event-related services (e.g., transportation / delivery, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing, etc.); evaluates / selects service providers according to customer requirements
• Requisitions equipment and supplies needed for each event, ensuring they meet customer expectations / requirements
• Inspects event sites prior to the start of each function (room setup, menu, service staff, etc.)
• Greets customers prior to the start of each event; continually observes, directs, and assists staff
• Confers with staff at event site to coordinate details; ensures guest needs are met throughout event
• Monitors events to ensure compliance with regulations / laws, and satisfaction of customers; resolves any issues that arise
• Returns / arranges for return of rented materials
• Conducts post-event evaluations to determine how future events could be improved
• Also may be scheduled to work varying positions in the department
• Other duties as assigned

Sales:

• Solicits / promotes special event business through advertising, cold-calling, contacting past customers, and relationships with local businesses
• Applies culinary / food prep knowledge to increase sales; suggests additional H-E-B products and services (e.g., floral, wine, etc.)

Financial Functions:

• Prepares / completes accurate billing at the completion of the function; collects final payment

The responsibilities and essential functions outlined above describe the general nature and level of work assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Duties and responsibilities may be modified at any time based on business needs. Employees may be required to perform other job-related tasks as requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodations.

Qualifications & Key Requirements:

Age Requirement:

• 18+

Work Experience:

• 1+ years of experience working front of house duties, banquet / event work, or related experience - Required
• Experience in ordering, inventory management, and shrink control - Required

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Comprehensive culinary and food prep knowledge - Required
• Working knowledge of food and beverage service - Required
• Proficiency in H-E-B systems (XPTR, DSD, IMS, CICS2, POS, Microsoft Office) (preferred) - Preferred
• Advanced customer service and communication skills - Required
• Advanced planning and organization skills - Required
• Culinary and food processing skills - Required
• Ability to direct / lead a team - Required
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including opening, closing, and weekend shifts - Required
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to guest concerns and feedback - Required
• Ability to handle guest feedback and resolve problems effectively - Required
• Ability to maintain a smile at all times, even when balancing multiple priorities - Required
• Business acumen - Required

Education:

• Culinary degree, or equivalent combination of culinary training and / or experience - Required

Licenses/Certifications:

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

• Function in a fast-paced, retail environment
• Work extended hours and / or rotating schedules
• Safely maneuver around moving mechanical parts
• Constantly reach at waist, grasp
• Frequently be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic materials
• Frequently stand, walk, pivot
• Occasionally sit, reach at overhead, reach at shoulder, reach at knee, reach at floor, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, kneel, climb stairs, twist, push / pull with arms, pinch, perform fine motor movements, shoulder circumduction
• Occasionally be exposed to heat, ambient temperatures, and loud noise
• Frequently be exposed to wet and cold conditions
• Demonstrate the ability to lift 80 lbs, and manage in excess of 80 lbs with a team lift
• While there may be exceptions, the measurements noted are generally defined as--Constantly: 5.5+ hours per 8-hour day; Frequently: 2.5 - 5.5 hours per 8-hour day; Occasionally: 0 - 2.5 hours per 8-hour day
• It is Partners' responsibility to never lift beyond their own safe lifting limit. If an item is too heavy to lift, push or pull, and / or carry, the Partner must break the box down into lighter, smaller, more manageable components, or ask for assistance from another Partner or a manager.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Partner encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Last revised: 8/1/2019