Food Service Manager- Catering

The University of Maryland, College Park is a prestigious educational institution known for its commitment to excellence in academics, research, and community engagement. The university offers a vibrant campus environment and a comprehensive array of services designed to support the diverse needs of its students, faculty, and staff. Within its vast infrastructure, the university maintains a dedicated catering department responsible for delivering high-quality food services that meet the expectations of various campus events and functions. This department is known for its professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to cater to a wide range of client needs including VIP and high-profile events.

The Catering Manager position within the VPSA-DS-Catering department is a critical leadership role that involves overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of catering events. The individual in this role is responsible for ensuring high-quality service delivery while managing efficient operational processes. The Catering Manager supervises a diverse team of both student and professional staff, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes teamwork and excellence. This role requires close coordination with kitchen leadership and catering administration to successfully handle event logistics and maintain seamless communication.

A core aspect of this position includes collaboration with clients to accurately assess their event needs and to develop customized menus, service styles, and event designs that align with client expectations and university policies. The Catering Manager must demonstrate strong business acumen by preparing menu pricing for events that fall outside the standard catering guidelines, maintaining positive client relationships, and actively supporting business development initiatives. Working alongside the sales team, the manager participates in event creation, client walkthroughs for VIP events, and provides logistical support to ensure flawless execution.

The role also involves coordinating with external vendors and managing event resources judiciously, ensuring timely collection of payments and strict adherence to all university policies as well as health, safety, food safety, and alcoholic beverage regulations. This position demands a high level of responsibility, including obtaining and maintaining specific certifications such as a valid Maryland driver's license with less than 5 points, a Prince George’s County Maryland Health Department Food Service Manager Certification, TIPS certification, and State of Maryland Fire Marshall approved crowd management certification—all to be achieved within 90 days of hire and maintained throughout employment.

Given the university’s dynamic environment, the Catering Manager must be prepared to work a variable schedule that includes weekends, nights, evenings, and holidays, especially during peak campus event periods where leave requests may be restricted. Physical demands of the role include the ability to lift substantial weight, work in a range of environmental conditions, and maintain stamina for extended periods of standing and walking. This position offers a competitive salary range between $62,240 and $74,688 and presents an excellent opportunity to contribute to a respected institution while advancing a career in food service management within a large-scale, high-volume catering operation.