Zingerman's Deli Catering Kitchen Manager

Zingerman's Delicatessen is a renowned specialty foods company located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, celebrated for its outstanding artisan sandwiches, gourmet cheeses, and exceptional catering services. Established as a cornerstone of the local culinary community, Zingerman's is dedicated to providing high-quality foods while fostering a unique and inclusive workplace culture. The organization’s philosophy combines food excellence with a commitment to servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and continuous improvement, making it an inspiring place to work for food enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Zingerman's Delicatessen operates a bustling catering kitchen that supports a wide range of events, from intimate gatherings to large celebrations. This essential hub ensures that all catering orders reflect the company's signature standards for quality, taste, and presentation. The Catering Kitchen Manager position is a full-time, salaried role with a competitive annual base salary of $58,000 to $62,000, plus 3 percent of service fees, amounting to approximately $5,000 annually. The position requires maintaining a demanding schedule of 45 to 50 hours per week, including mornings, some evenings, weekends, and holidays, with the company closed on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.

As the Catering Kitchen Manager, you will hold comprehensive responsibility for all aspects of catering kitchen production. This includes leading and training a skilled production team, ensuring efficient operations, and maintaining a seamless line of communication with other departments such as the Deli kitchen, Sandwich Line, Specialty Foods, and the Deli purchasing department. You will serve as an integral leadership figure who embodies the principles of stewardship and servant leadership, guiding staff through coaching and performance reviews, and inspiring a collaborative environment.

Your role will also encompass addressing customer concerns that are escalated from the production team, providing hands-on support when necessary, and overseeing training requirements for catering and back-of-house staff. In addition, you will manage essential kitchen functions such as equipment maintenance, inventory control, ordering produce, and coordinating with cleaning teams to uphold rigorous cleanliness standards. Collaborating with the Catering Director and Events Manager, you will contribute to menu development and revisions to keep offerings fresh and aligned with consumer expectations.

The position demands a high level of emotional intelligence and a no-drama workplace attitude to foster a positive work environment. Candidates are expected to demonstrate exceptional skills in event planning, inventory management, costing, and strong proficiency in technology tools including Caterease, Google Docs, and HRIS systems. It is critical to your success that you provide leadership that promotes teamwork, enthusiasm, and results, thereby ensuring memorable and delightful catering experiences for all guests.

Zingerman's Delicatessen offers a rewarding work experience that goes beyond compensation. The benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k plan, paid time off, and daily employee meals from the deli sandwich menu. Employees enjoy opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the company alongside a vibrant and supportive team culture. With discounts across all Zingerman's businesses, this role is ideal for driven professionals passionate about food, service excellence, and leadership within an iconic brand.

Joining Zingerman's as a Catering Kitchen Manager means playing a vital role in a dynamic, community-focused food company that values quality, relationships, and continuous improvement. If you are an outgoing, detail-oriented leader with a passion for food and a commitment to elevating the customer experience, you will find this position both challenging and fulfilling.