Assistant Director of Catering and Sales, Culinary Services

Department Summary

The Assistant Director of Retail Operations supports the Director in planning, vision, forecasting, and budgeting while providing direct oversight of Ohio University Catering operations. This role ensures financial goals, customer satisfaction, and employee development are met or exceeded. The position aligns with Ohio University's mission and collaborates with campus partners to support recruitment, retention, and enrollment initiatives. It also enforces safety and sanitation standards in accordance with university policies and leads efforts to maintain a flagship catering operation recognized for quality and service excellence.

• Assist the Director in developing and implementing long-term strategies for catering operations, including vision, forecasting, and budgeting. Performs monthly profit and loss review. Establish and revise goals for revenue, menus, pricing, merchandising, and resource allocation to ensure financial success and operational efficiency.
• Conduct research on catering, benchmarking studies, and market research to identify trends, maintain competitiveness, and implement improvement strategies.
• Develop and execute business strategies that generate additional revenue streams and exceed customer expectations.
• Direct and manage all aspects of Ohio University Catering, ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly and efficiently.
• Provide hands-on leadership in service delivery, coaching, training, staffing, inventory control, and fiscal management.
• Applies expert knowledge of the industry and demonstrates knowledge of the department as well as key challenges and advantages.
• Coordinates with other departments to ensure seamless event execution and operational collaboration.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Oversee the successful execution of catering events in alignment with Ohio University Catering service standards.
• Ensure exceptional guest experiences by focusing on service quality, operational efficiency, and attention to detail.
• Monitor customer satisfaction through accurate order entry, event presence, surveys, and feedback, responding promptly to inquiries and concerns.
• Develop and implement marketing plans for Catering, ensuring website and system information is accurate and up to date. Drive innovation by researching industry trends and introducing new products, services, and event planning strategies. Evaluate and implement marketing initiatives to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement.
• Set and enforce safety and sanitation standards in collaboration with university safety initiatives. Ensure a safe and sanitary work environment for employees and guests, enforcing all established safety procedures.
• Maintain accurate vehicle logs and ensure proper maintenance of catering vehicles.
• Oversee campus-wide liquor management, including sales, inventory, compliance, and bartender training.
• Lead and oversee Culinary Services Development Committee, Safety Committee, and other applicable committees.
• Collaborate with department directors on menu development, food production, and trend analysis. Works closely with Production Manager and Executive Chefs to ensure proper planning and ordering.
• Creates and sets the agenda for monthly food cost meetings. Provide support to other venues as needed and complete special projects assigned by the Director.
• Conducts weekly meetings with Catering management to spread knowledge of departmental initiatives. Conducts weekly meetings to review all orders with Catering staff and reviews all banquet event orders.
• Planning major events: Plans Cats Cupboard Food Drive Collection. Plans move in engagement stations for new students arriving on campus. Sets and plans meetings for large events like homecoming. Coordinates with external departments and within Culinary Services to execute large events.

ServSafe certification must be obtained within 1 year of employment. Must have a valid driver's license