Proof of the Pudding is an award-winning catering company throughout the Southeast with a commitment to crafting creative culinary creations. This standard was upheld through the expansion into Sports and Entertainment Hospitality Services by providing elevated concessions and premium offerings to collegiate stadiums, PGA golf tournaments, International Boat Shows, Professional Sports Teams, & more.
We are seeking a knowledgeable, organized, and hands-on Director of Operations with knowledge of large scale event operations, client relationships, and team development. In this position, you will play a critical role in the success of our business by overseeing the preliminary planning, onsite execution, and end of event conclusions for large-scale outdoor events throughout the year. This position requires travel, knowledge of food service operations, and experience in high volume Sports & Entertainment catering.
Essential Duties:
- Plan, manage, and direct the food & beverage services at multiple events throughout the year with the goal of meeting operating and financial goals, client objectives, and customer needs.
- Events can include concessions, premium hospitality, and catering business.
- Oversee a management team of 12 and up to 150 hourly employees.
- Lead meetings and have continuous open lines of communication with the sales, staffing, management, and culinary team in preparation for each event.
- Be the main point of contact for the client and nurture the existing relationship.
- Facilitate planning and requests with vendors such as water, gas, electrical, portable services, transportation, equipment, and deliveries.
- Assist with the purchasing of items in accordance with the menus, updating the P&L, utilizing payment systems (SageAPA), and tracking deliveries.
- Provide input and strategy to vendors and event liasons in regards to building effective service and catering lay outs
- In partnership with Finance, create and manage a budget to optimize financial performance and operational productivity.
- Travel to all events in a comfortable timeframe to ensure all preparation work is monitored and within the scheduled timeline.
- Manage compliance with all local, state and federal regulations and codes and maintains all associated records and reports.
- Ensuring all financial reporting is completed in a timely and accurate manner
- Driving shrinkage prevention efforts to minimize financial risk to the business
- Leading continual operational improvement planning
- Overseeing and ensuring the highest standards of safety and sanitation in all activities across the location
- Reviewing financial reports and developing action plans to best achieve business goals
- Assist with processing invoices, paying vendors,
- Proactively coaching and motivating team members to deliver their best
- Identifying opportunities and driving continual improvement in our location operations
- Building a strong partnership with locations partners
- Working with regional and Home Office leadership to drive innovation and best practices at the location
- Delivering against our financial goals and budgets
Performs other related duties as needed.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Hospitality, Project Management, or related field and 8+ years of experience in a leadership position in similar industry
- Operations in stadiums, live concerts, convention centers, or similar is preferred
- Proven understanding of financial concepts, leadership abilities, and strong organizational practices.
- Professionalism and ability to communicate with clients and VIP personnel
- Ability and willingness to travel throughout the year for extended periods of time.
Specialized Qualifications:
- Must be a team player, well organized, and have strong computer/Microsoft Office skills
- Excellent listening and communication skills
- Renowned time management skills
- Strong Customer Service skills with the desire to go above and beyond a client’s needs
- Knowledge of Catering Operations
- The ability to work alone and as a team
Work Environment
Non-travel days: This position has the opportunity to work remotely or work out of the Atlanta Corporate office.
During travel: Events will be in an outdoor setting with movement between temporary structures, buildings, and semi loading trucks. This position will often operate carts, walk across uneven surfaces, and climb stairs as needed.
Physical Demands:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Periods of standing, moving through an event space, and traveling from venue to venue with bending, lifting, scooping, and carrying miscellaneous equipment and food items
- Ability to perform physical tasks; such as but not limited to, lifting approx. 40 lbs.
CORE VALUE AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
- Business Acumen - Demonstrate comprehension of the job, including policies, practices, and relationships. Possess the expertise and skill levels required of the job and perform with quality.
- Dedication - Dependable, reliable and follows through on projects from inception to completion. Willing to put in as much time as necessary to complete tasks. Demonstrate a win-win attitude: “see it, own it, solve it.”
- Ethics and Integrity - Acts with integrity, honesty and knowledge that promote the company’s culture, values and beliefs while maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.
- Safety & Security - Observe safety and security standards. Use equipment and materials properly. Comply with safety standards and personal protective equipment requirements. Report potential unsafe conditions or practices to appropriate person immediately. Promote restaurant safety, cleanliness and security compliance at all times.
- Teamwork - Cooperate and be willing to work as a team player to achieve goals and tasks accurately, efficiently and timely.
- Communication - Communicate clearly and effectively with mutual respect, understanding and trust to fellow associates, managers, supervisors and guests. Listen carefully to opinions and views of others; state understanding of what has been heard.
- Initiative - Contribute new ideas and suggestions to enhance productivity and efficiency. Be proactive in troubleshooting problems or issues and take action to mitigate potential problems.
- Adaptability & Planning - Possess the ability to learn new tasks and adjusts well to new situations. Perform well under tight time schedules and pressures to change direction quickly.
- Service Orientation - Demonstrates a sense of urgency. Is welcoming, friendly and smiles when visible to guests.
Position Salary & Benefits:
- This is considered a full-time salary position.
- Proof is pleased to provide all full-time eligible employees with Basic Life and AD&D as well as long term disability at no cost to employees
- Full-time eligible employees may choose to enroll in optional benefits, including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Voluntary Life and AD&D, Short Term Disability, Voluntary Accident, Voluntary Critical Illness, and Voluntary Hospitality Indemnity
Proof of the Pudding and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and employing a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.
