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Food Service

Catering Director

Job Description

Role Overview

Catering Director

A premier Global Strategic Account is seeking an experienced Catering Director to lead a sophisticated, high‑touch corporate catering program in Rahway, NJ. This role oversees the full lifecycle of event strategy, planning, execution, and service excellence, ensuring every experience — from executive board meetings to large‑scale campus events — is delivered with precision, creativity, and world‑class hospitality.

The Catering Director will shape a modern, innovative catering program that reflects the expectations of a complex, high‑performance corporate environment. This leader partners closely with culinary, café, hospitality, and facilities teams to create cohesive, elevated food and service experiences across the campus.

 

This role sits within a dynamic, fast‑paced, high‑expectation corporate setting where hospitality is viewed as a strategic differentiator. The Catering Director will be a visible leader, shaping the guest experience for senior executives, global visitors, and large internal audiences. Success requires creativity, operational rigor, and a passion for delivering experiences that feel intentional, polished, and memorable.

What You'll Do

  • Lead event strategy — Shape a high‑touch catering program that delivers seamless, world‑class experiences for executive and large‑scale events.

  • Oversee daily operations — Direct all catering logistics, staffing, service flow, and quality standards across multiple event types and spaces.

  • Partner cross‑functionally — Collaborate with culinary, café, hospitality, and facilities teams to ensure cohesive, elevated food and service experiences.

  • Drive service excellence — Maintain uncompromising standards for presentation, timing, guest experience, and brand alignment.

  • Manage financial performance — Oversee budgets, forecasting, cost controls, and vendor relationships to support operational and financial goals.

  • Innovate continuously — Introduce modern catering concepts, technology, and service enhancements that elevate the program year‑round.

 

What We Offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

 

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
  • 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
  • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
  • Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring

  • Strategic hospitality leadership — Proven ability to lead high‑expectation corporate catering or hospitality programs with polish and precision.

  • Client partnership strength — Skilled at building trust with senior stakeholders and translating needs into exceptional event solutions.

  • Operational mastery — Deep experience managing complex event operations, logistics, staffing, and service execution.

  • Creative event vision — Ability to design elevated, modern, and memorable event experiences that reflect a premium brand.

  • Team development expertise — Track record of coaching, motivating, and developing diverse hospitality teams.

  • Financial and analytical acumen — Strong command of budgeting, forecasting, cost management, and performance measurement.

 

Who We Are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

 

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience – 5 years
Minimum Functional Experience – 5 years

Job Details

Job Title Catering Director
Category Food Service
Location(s) Rahway, NJ
Salary Range $120190 to $155540
Job ID 989526