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What does a catering coordinator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

A catering coordinator's role is to oversee and manage food services in gatherings for special events, ensuring efficiency and client satisfaction. Their responsibilities revolve around planning and meeting with clients to learn their preferences, liaising with suppliers, managing schedules and inventory, and providing cost estimates. On the actual event, a catering coordinator is also responsible for welcoming guests, responding to any inquiries and concerns, resolving issues and urgent matters, and ensuring that everything is running smoothly. Furthermore, it is essential to lead and encourage the catering team while implementing all food and health policies and standards.

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Catering coordinator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real catering coordinator resumes:

  • Manage the accuracy and the punctuality of deliveries.
  • Manage proposals, conduct red team reviews, and write RFP technical responses.
  • Manage RFP's; review contracts; and coordinate with select vendors from planning to implementation.
  • Obtain new and manage existing customers by building a reputation of knowledge, punctuality, and accountability.
  • Manage and prioritize restaurant reservations.
  • Create detailed BEOs to include food, beverage, audio visual, special request, setup and billing details.
  • Key responsibilities include performing direct patient care regarding food service activities while maintaining maximum comfort and safety of patients.
  • Assist the owner with purchase of groceries
  • Assist with storing dry goods and groceries.
  • Comply with all ServSafe and HACCP programs and principles.
  • Input order into a POS system to pay out order.
  • Cashier using POS system; greet customers and rang up their orders.
  • Create an official company page on Facebook to facilitate interaction with fans.
  • Ensure guest services through banquet service, bartending and plating of food.
  • Stock bar with beer, wine, liquor, and relate supplies.

Catering coordinator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 69% of Catering Coordinators are proficient in Food Service, Customer Service, and Food Preparation. They’re also known for soft skills such as Dexterity, Listening skills, and Physical strength.

We break down the percentage of Catering Coordinators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Food Service, 69%

    Developed and Implemented Food Service Sanitation Policies and Procedures within the Department.

  • Customer Service, 9%

    Evaluated operational systems and made recommendations for changes to improve customer service, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.

  • Food Preparation, 4%

    Reconcile delivery reports, maintain inventory of event supplies, and distribute food preparation requirements to departments.

  • Work Ethic, 3%

    Ensured adherence to work ethics set by the company.

  • Reservations, 2%

    Reviewed daily reservations to ensure the revenue was accurately designated to the appropriate marketing source.

  • Booking, 1%

    Prepare and organize amenities to ensure delivery to VIP clients*Prepare Turnovers and Booking Recaps in final stages of client contracts.

"food service," "customer service," and "food preparation" are among the most common skills that catering coordinators use at work. You can find even more catering coordinator responsibilities below, including:

Most common catering coordinator skills

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Catering Coordinator Resume
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Catering Coordinator Resume
Catering Coordinator Resume
Catering Coordinator Resume
Catering Coordinator Resume
Catering Coordinator Resume
Catering Coordinator Resume
Catering Coordinator Resume
Catering Coordinator Resume
Catering Coordinator Resume
Catering Coordinator Resume
Catering Coordinator Resume
Catering Coordinator Resume

Compare different catering coordinators

Catering coordinator vs. Front of house manager

A front of house manager coordinates and supervises the front house team. Front of house managers make sure that every client receives a warm welcome. They see to it that all house services are performed smoothly. The scope of their duties and responsibilities may involve the recruitment of team members. They carry out administrative tasks in an organization or establishment such as a theater, concert hall, or restaurant. It is their job to handle the preparation and daily operations of these areas.

If we compare the average catering coordinator annual salary with that of a front of house manager, we find that front of house managers typically earn a $6,587 higher salary than catering coordinators make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between catering coordinators and front of house managers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like food service, customer service, and food preparation.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between catering coordinators and front of house manager. For instance, catering coordinator responsibilities require skills such as "taking care," "work ethic," "strong work ethic," and "reservations." Whereas a front of house manager is skilled in "cleanliness," "wine," "guest service," and "foh." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Front of house managers really shine in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $39,179. Comparatively, catering coordinators tend to make the most money in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $35,316.front of house managers tend to reach similar levels of education than catering coordinators. In fact, front of house managers are 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Catering coordinator vs. Kitchen assistant manager

An assistant kitchen manager is in charge of a large establishment or restaurant when the manager is not around. They supervise all operations in the kitchen, monitor the performance of the staff, train the newly hired crew, and create an inventory report of all supplies. They must also ensure that clients expectations are met by providing them the best service. An assistant kitchen manager needs to be customer-oriented and detail-oriented, and they must also have management skills, critical thinking skills, and organizational skills.

On average, kitchen assistant managers earn a $4,538 higher salary than catering coordinators a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both catering coordinators and kitchen assistant managers have skills such as "food service," "customer service," and "food preparation. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, catering coordinator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "taking care," "work ethic," "strong work ethic," and "reservations." Meanwhile, a kitchen assistant manager has duties that require skills in areas such as "cleanliness," "kitchen equipment," "food handling," and "safety procedures." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, kitchen assistant managers earn a higher salary than catering coordinators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, kitchen assistant managers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $41,915. Whereas catering coordinators have higher pay in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $35,316.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Kitchen assistant managers tend to reach similar levels of education than catering coordinators. In fact, they're 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Catering coordinator vs. Shift leader

Shift leaders are tenured or experienced employees who are assigned to oversee employees in specific work shifts. They manage team members who are assigned in their shift. They also ensure that business goals are met. Shift leaders check whether team members are working, and they ensure that they always comply with company policies and guidelines. They also monitor the performance of their employees and coach them should the employees need help in any area of their work. Shift leaders should have good communication skills, decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.

On average scale, shift leaders bring in lower salaries than catering coordinators. In fact, they earn a $735 lower salary per year.catering coordinators and shift leaders both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "food service," "customer service," and "taking care," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, catering coordinators are more likely to have skills like "food preparation," "strong work ethic," "reservations," and "booking." But a shift leader is more likely to have skills like "patients," "math," "safety standards," and "cash handling."

Shift leaders earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $36,581. Catering coordinators earn the highest pay from the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $35,316.shift leaders typically earn similar educational levels compared to catering coordinators. Specifically, they're 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Catering coordinator vs. Deli manager

A deli manager is responsible for monitoring the daily operations of the restaurant, delegating tasks to staff, supervising the food orders and services, maintaining adequate stock inventory, and finding ways to minimize production costs without compromising quality service. Deli managers strategize on techniques in maximizing the productivity of the operations staff to boost revenues and increase the business' profitability. They also attend to the guests' needs, respond to their inquiries, and resolve complaints immediately. A deli manager analyzes current food trends to update the restaurant's menu and meet the guests' demands.

Deli managers tend to earn a higher pay than catering coordinators by an average of $4,645 per year.While their salaries may vary, catering coordinators and deli managers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "food service," "food preparation," and "food safety. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A catering coordinator uses "customer service," "taking care," "work ethic," and "strong work ethic." Deli managers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "cleanliness," "basic math," "pallets," and "food handling. "The retail industry tends to pay the highest salaries for deli managers, with average annual pay of $36,922. Comparatively, the highest catering coordinator annual salary comes from the hospitality industry.The average resume of deli managers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to catering coordinators. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.

Types of catering coordinator

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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