Assistant Director, Catering
At Sodexo Live!, we take pride in crafting exceptional events at the most prestigious venues on the planet and creating lasting memories for fans, visitors, guests and team members. Working with Sodexo Live! is more than a job; it's a chance to be part of something greater. Here, you'll build a career where 'everyday' is anything but normal.
Our experiences are unique, and so are our people. Bring your personality, your background and your desire to delight others. In return, we'll give you all you need to thrive. After giving it all, you'll return home knowing that you've played your part in creating a truly unforgettable moment. ‘2022 Forbes Best Employer for Diversity’
Location: We are seeking an experienced Assistant Director, Catering for the Vancouver Convention Centre operation in Vancouver, BC.
Compensation: $80,000 - $90,000 per year
Sodexo Live! is the Official Supplier of Food and Beverage Services to the Vancouver Convention Centre. Located on Vancouver’s waterfront with a dramatic mountain backdrop, the award-winning Vancouver Convention Centre offers one of the most beautiful settings in the world. As British Columbia’s flagship convention centre, the facility hosts more than 500 events and welcomes hundreds of thousands of attendees each year, while generating significant economic activity for the Province.
Principal Function:
Reporting to the Director, Catering, the Assistant Director, Catering is a self-motivated individual who is responsible for helping to lead and coach the professionals on our Catering team to provide the best possible client service and delivery of events at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The Assistant Director, Catering will manage a portfolio of events and clients, while supporting the Catering Managers and Coordinators in their responsibilities, expectations and guidelines for planning of events. The Assistant Director, Catering works with the Director, Catering and Operations Managers on projects and more complex event planning and may assume leadership duties of the Director, Catering in their absence.
Essential Responsibilities:
Maximize Sodexo Live!’s catering revenue through creative sales techniques, customer focus and ongoing review of opportunities to implement enhanced processes.
Assist in leading the Catering team, positively influencing team collaboration within Catering and between other departments and the Facility at all times.
Provide ongoing coaching, training and recruiting as needed, continuously looking for development opportunities to enhance the team’s knowledge and skills.
Build and maintain relationships with team members, clients, stakeholders, industry partners and both internal and external suppliers by consistently offering professional and engaging service.
Find ways to continuously improve the customer and guest experience for all events. Ensure that our superior service standards are maintained, focusing on a consistently high-quality guest experience while achieving operational excellence.
Provide oversight on events, from preliminary and operational planning by being available to the Catering team, internal client, and our internal Operations departments for support and inquiries on a daily basis.
Work together with the Facility’s sales team to support new event business by attending food tastings, building tours, FAMS, and supporting contract negotiations.
Act as an account representative for some of our top annual repeat clients by way of building relationships.
Drive internal communications by actively participating in various committees and group discussions with our client; building key Facility client relationships.
Lead relevant Sodexo Live! management and operations meetings, as well as client and Facility meetings as required and in absence of the Director, Catering.
Attend client meetings to support the catering team in complex events and/or as needed in handling more sensitive events, planning concerns, and decisions.
Work closely with the Operations teams to ensure information is accurate and timely for all events and efficiently work together and communicate as changes occur.
Work with the Director, Catering and Executive Chef on new creative ideas for our catering packages and retail services. Assist with monitoring menu packages changes along with updating terms and conditions.
Collaborate with the Director, Catering to review the booking calendar and to exercise yield management for optimum business results.
Contribute to the efficient operation of our business by monitoring and reporting best practices such as food and beverage forecast numbers, event attendance, and all other reporting.
Contribute to goal of making Sodexo Live! #1 in Event Hospitality and the #1 Employer of Choice through personal commitment and leading by example.
Qualifications/Skills:
Bachelor’s degree in business, hospitality management or a related field, and/or appropriate combination of education and experience to support on the job effectiveness.
5-7 years of catering sales experience, with at least 3-5 years in a management role.
Experience in Food and Beverage operations at a supervisory/management level preferred, ideally in a large-scale operation, such as a busy hotel or convention centre.
Must possess strong knowledge of food and wine for menu development.
Must possess strong knowledge of food and beverage financials, including forecasting and budgets, operations procedures, controls and administration, as well as awareness and ability to perform all sales-related functions.
Solid and proven track record for sales and leadership success.
Tech savvy, with high proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience in event databases.
Demonstrated success in interfacing with a variety of organizational functions and divisions to accomplish tasks.
Proven ability to work effectively with all levels of employees and management; Ability to promote and participate in team environment concepts.
Self-starter who can work independently and on several tasks/projects simultaneously, and work to numerous deadlines at once.
Positive and professional attitude, with the ability to model our high standard of service.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Initiative in identifying and resolving problems timely and effectively.
Have the ability to meet the physical demands of the job including but not limited to transiting long distances throughout our large facility as required.
Other Requirements:
Able to work effectively and safely while subject to wet floors, temperature extremes and excessive noise; must be able to lift up to 50 pounds in weight; must be able to maneuver in an often tightly-quartered environment.
Hours may be extended or irregular to include nights, weekends and holidays.
Great News! You will receive:
100% company paid health and dental benefits (after wait period).
Company-matched pension contributions.
Access to employee and family assistance program, which offers integrated health services.
Opportunities for skills development and career progression.
Tuition reimbursement for professional and industry related development.
Free Employee meals provided.
Access to free on-site gym.