Vice President of Catering
Au Bon Pain is interviewing for a Vice President of Catering! This is an exciting opportunity to enter into a growing company with a strong catering infrastructure already in place. There is huge potential to build on existing catering sales and move the catering department forward. This position will be located at the Au Bon Pain Corporate Support Center in Boston.
Job Summary
In collaboration with senior leadership, and in a direct effort to drive revenue growth and ensure excellence in the execution of ABP Catering Program, this position defines, implements, and leads the strategy for the function. This includes catering sales, gift baskets, the call center, and operational execution (including service and delivery) at the café level. This position has P&L responsibility and works with others on the Brand and Operations teams to ensure the catering menu is relevant to our customers. This role provides leadership in a cross functional environment to ensure that all employees who are involved in catering have the training, guidance, and support to ensure excellent execution of the ABP Brand.
Key Responsibilities
Define, implement and lead a staged implementation of a 3 year business plan designed to drive sales, guest engagement, and ensure superior execution
Fully accountable for the P&L of the overall Catering business, and the overall performance of the function
Working with Human Resources, Operations, and Brand, design the structure of the department and ensure that there is an effective team in place to drive the catering business and its ongoing performance
In collaboration with the Brand team, develop a robust sales and marketing strategy for the business, including advanced online and social media solutions that attracts new guests and increases frequency of existing guests
Participate in the development of an online ordering website that is easy to use and builds the online ordering business
Ensure consistency of product and service delivery that meets or exceeds Brand standards
Lead the catering sales team to develop new business opportunities in each market
Lead the catering call center to ensure and/or develop skills in suggestive selling, outbound selling, and excellent guest service
In collaboration with Operations leadership, develop systems, processes and team member training that ensure excellent operational execution and delivery at the café/commissary level
In collaboration with Operations leadership, lead the execution of large catering events by anticipating needs, being present in the preparation and execution of the events, and clearly communicating expectations to all team members
Review all Catering related processes and procedures and update them accordingly to ensure effective operations at both the café and support center levels
Analyze competitive trends and collaborate with Brand team to ensure menu items, pricing, and marketing initiatives are competitive and relevant
Lead the tracking of marketing programs, gather consumer insights, and use to evaluate and make appropriate changes to catering program. Share findings with leadership and cross-functional teams and ensure integration into future initiatives and programs.
Other related responsibilities.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience and Skills
15+ years of progressively responsible experience managing a department in a general manager/director/VP level capacity with full P&L accountability in the catering, hospitality, and/or restaurant industry
At least 5 years’ experience in a senior level leadership capacity with multiple direct reports
A successful track record of leading cross functional teams, building relationships, and driving improvement and change
A successful track record of both defining a strategy and leading the ‘hands on’ implementation of the strategy
Solid business and financial acumen, including: strong analytical and measurement/tracking skills; able to conduct analysis and present findings in a concise and accurate manner; draw meaningful conclusions and establish action plan; and set performance benchmarks
Project and process management skills, including: effective management of time and budget; able to balance multiple priorities to meet deadlines; identify and implement system and process improvements
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to influence in a matrix environment
Ability to solve problems and make changes to accommodate a rapidly changing marketplace
Travel
Approximately 35% travel
Additional Information
Working at ABP:
5 day work weeks
7 week structured training program
Career growth opportunities
Competitive salary, weekly pay
Quarterly bonuses
Benefits:
Medical insurance/Dental insurance/Vision insurance
Pet insurance Employee Referral Programs
Vacation Time
401K Workplace banking and much, much more!