How to Become a Catering Manager

About Catering Manager

A Catering Manager is a person who oversees the operations of a catering business. The role of a catering manager is very important in the catering business as a catering manager ensures that all of the operations ranging from procurement of groceries produce and other ingredients to the delivery of prepared food is done in a timely and proper manner. Catering Managers work with the various employees of a food preparation, service and delivery business to coordinate various activities and implement a plan of action. They are responsible for finalising key decisions in business operations.

Catering Managers also talk to customers about their requirements, feedback or complaints. If a customer has any issues or complains about their food, they will seek a Catering Manager to ensure that things are rectified. Thus, catering managers are expected to have a professional attitude with an eye for perfection, a pleasant personality with good communication skills, a knack for arranging logistics and coming up with solutions to day-to-day problems, coordinating with the various employees and teams to ensure efficient operations and having good networking skills so that the demands of a catering business are satisfied quickly and at nominal prices.

Thus, it can be seen that catering managers usually have a lot on their plate. Plus, since catering services are employed by people mostly during special occasions, festivals or ceremonies, catering managers have to ensure that everything is in order and as per the desires of the customer.

Eligibility to become Catering Manager

Catering Managers must be trained in management skills and also must have knowledge about food production, presentation, service and taste. Catering managers must also have knowledge about costs, marketing, customer engagement and service. Plus, since a catering manager is a senior position, professionals who have experience in the industry are preferred for these roles.

Candidates who are aspiring for a career as a Catering Manager should ideally go for professional courses in the field of hotel management or catering. Ideally, candidates should also go for postgraduate courses after gaining some experience in the field. The following courses can be considered when aspiring for a career as a Catering Manager.

Undergraduate Courses for Catering Manager

• Diploma in Hotel Management

• Bachelor of Hotel Management

• Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology

• Bachelor of Catering Technology in Culinary Arts

• BSc in Culinary Arts

• BBA in Hospitality Management

Postgraduate Courses for Catering Manager

• Master of Hotel Management

• MBA in Hotel Management

• MBA in Hospitality Management

Types of Job Roles Catering Manager

Candidates can check the job roles and responsibilities of a Catering Manager given below.

• Planning, organizing and executing catering events for a business or client.

• Ensuring proper oversight of all operations such as inventory, menu planning, arranging equipment and personnel etc. and ensuring that everything fits within the provided budget.

• Contracting vendors for placing orders, resolving and issues with deliveries or payments etc.

• Building customer relationships and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Employment Sector/Industry for Catering Manager

Catering Manager is a job that is closely attached to the hospitality sector. However, they are mostly employed for handling catering at special events or large gatherings. Catering Managers can find plenty of job opportunities in the market as more people turn to professional catering services. Catering Managers can also find employment in catering businesses as well as businesses that provide catering services in other organizations.

Given below are the top recruiting areas of Catering Managers.

• Catering Companies

• Hotels

• Restaurants

• Banquet Halls

• Airlines

• Indian Railway

• Community Kitchens etc.

Pay Scale/Salary of Catering Manager

The salary details of catering managers can be found in the pointers given below.

• On average, catering managers in India earn a salary of around Rs. 5 LPA.

• Entry-level roles in this field are more about gaining experience and the average starting salary for catering managers in India is around Rs. 3 - 4 LPA.

• Professional Catering Managers who have 8 - 10 years of experience earn Rs. 8 - 10 LPA on average.

Books & Study Material to Become Catering Manager

Pros of becoming a Catering Manager

• Creative field that encourages uniqueness and provides new and different experiences with each event.

• The career allows a flexible working schedule and scope for part-time jobs.

• There is a good scope in this field for starting your own business.

Cons of becoming a Catering Manager

• You will have to work during off-days or holidays.

• Requires an immense level of patience and professional attitude especially when dealing with clients.

• Clients demand perfection and hence the job can get overwhelming if you are not passionate or well trained.