*Priority Position*
Overview
Our Client is a high-end, boutique catering company known for exceptional quality, personalized service, and event excellence. Our Client is entering a new chapter: the founder / CEO, is transitioning into a strategic leadership role, and we are seeking a dynamic Operational Director to take over the reins of daily execution.
This is a pivotal role for someone who thrives in fast-paced hospitality environments, has a high attention to detail, and can lead both kitchen and front-of-house teams while managing logistics and client expectations with finesse.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Management:
- Maintain and improve systems for event planning, prep schedules, stock management, and supplier ordering.
- Lead, plan, and oversee the end-to-end execution of all catering events (from enquiry to breakdown).
- Coordinate kitchen, logistics, staffing, and event timelines to ensure smooth delivery.
Team Leadership:
- Manage kitchen, waitstaff, and freelance event staff; conduct briefings and debriefs.
- Recruit, onboard, train, and mentor junior team members with an eye on upskilling and performance.
- Foster a positive, service-focused internal culture that reflects our Client’s values.
Client Relationship & Service Excellence:
- Serve as the key point of contact for clients once bookings are confirmed.
- Conduct tastings, planning sessions, and pre-event walk-throughs with professionalism and warmth.
- Ensure all deliverables meet (or exceed) expectations, upholding our commitment to excellence
Quality Control:
- Oversee food quality, presentation, and service consistency across all touchpoints.
- Work closely with the kitchen team to uphold hygiene, safety, and culinary standards.
- Troubleshoot issues proactively and maintain calm under pressure.
Financial & Strategic Oversight:
- Track event budgets, supplier costs, staff hours, and profit margins.
- Collaborate with the CEO to refine pricing strategies and reduce inefficiencies.
- Identify opportunities for improvement, growth, and scalability.
Required Experience and Skill
- 5+ years in catering, events, hospitality operations, or F&B management
- Proven experience leading teams and managing events of various scales
- Strong planning, coordination, and multitasking skills
- Professional communication with clients, suppliers, and stakeholders
- High emotional intelligence and conflict resolution abilities
- Competency in spreadsheets, basic finance, and CRM/event software
- Culinary knowledge and an eye for food presentation a plus (not essential)
Ideal Candidate Traits
- Organized, detail-oriented, and assertive
- Calm under pressure and solutions-focused
- Passionate about great food and unforgettable experiences
- Entrepreneurial mindset with loyalty and long-term vision
- Able to represent the Client as the operational face of the brand
Package and Benefits
- Competitive salary (based on experience)
- Performance-based incentives
- Flexible structure with room for creative input and growth
- Direct access to mentorship from founder
- Opportunity to lead a highly respected and growing hospitality brand
Start Date
Priority Position
Consideration
Candidates, who are already residing in the Winelands Region will have preference. We can only consider South African Citizens or applicants who hold a valid South African Permanent Residence! No Work Permit applications will be accepted! Applicants, who live in other provinces of South Africa still need to attend personal interviews and if requested to do any cook-offs, will do so completely at their own expense. We handle high volumes of applications daily and will only be able to reply, via e-mail, to candidates who have met our clients’ requirements.
Due to the high volume of CV’s received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
All applications submitted must contain:
- Updated CV with contactable references
- Tertiary Educational documents
- Written Reference Letters
- A recent presentable profile photo’s
How to apply
Email us at info@pmrecruitment.co.za
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