Operations Manager – Large-Scale Catering, Events & Logistics - Cape Town

Pay

R 40 000 – R 45 000 per month

Type

Permanent

Experience

5–10 years

Level

Management

Sector

Hospitality & Catering

Closes

in 24 days

Recruiter

Hospitality Jobs Africa · All jobs at Hospitality Jobs Africa

About the role

Operations Manager – Large-Scale Catering, Events & Logistics - Cape Town

Essential: Candidates must have senior operations experience within large-scale catering, stadium hospitality, banqueting or major events, with particularly strong logistics experience. This is not a kitchen-only role. Not hotels.

We are recruiting an experienced Operations Manager to take responsibility for a busy Cape Town catering and events operation covering production, stadium and event delivery, logistics, fleet, front of house and event set-up.

This is a substantial operational role. You’ll effectively own an event from the point where the booking is confirmed through to production planning, loading, transport, venue set-up, service, pack-up and final reconciliation.

The business handles everything from daily contract catering and corporate functions to stadium hospitality, sporting events, festivals and large outdoor events, often with several sites or service points operating at the same time. Functions can range from smaller private events through to 1,000+ guests.

This role is all about logistics

• We need someone who is exceptionally strong at getting people, food, equipment and vehicles to the right place at the right time.
• You’ll be responsible for event readiness, including staffing, vehicles, load lists, décor, equipment and catering requirements. You’ll oversee the loading sequence at the dispatch yard, make sure vehicles are routed correctly, manage delivery windows and ensure everything required at the venue actually arrives before service begins.
• On major event and match days, you’ll be the senior operational presence on site, coordinating venue access, loading bays, hospitality areas, kiosks, service points and staff allocations.
• When something changes at the last minute, whether it’s a delayed vehicle, a staff no-show, an access issue or a client request, you need to be able to make a decision quickly and keep the event moving.
• The job doesn’t end when the guests leave. You’ll also oversee the pack-up and recovery operation, making sure hired equipment, décor, catering equipment and stock are accounted for and returned, vehicles are loaded correctly and venues are handed back clean and properly signed off.
• Fleet, vehicles and equipment
• A big part of this position is fleet and transport coordination.
• You’ll schedule vehicles and drivers, plan multi-site routes, work around venue access windows and ensure vehicles are roadworthy, licensed and serviced. You’ll also be responsible for controlling catering equipment, décor and hired stock going out to functions and coming back again.

What they're looking for

The person we’re looking for

You need to be comfortable operating at senior management level, but equally comfortable being physically present at a loading bay at the beginning of an event or staying through the final pack-up.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Highly organised and exceptionally strong on logistics and event planning
• Experienced in large-scale catering, stadium hospitality, banqueting or major events
• Strong with vehicle scheduling, dispatch, loading and venue logistics
• Confident managing large operational and front-of-house teams
• Comfortable dealing directly with clients, venues, security, suppliers and service providers
• Strong on budgets, stock control, labour costs, event profitability and reporting
• Calm when things change quickly and able to solve problems on the spot
• Detailed when it comes to load sheets, equipment, staffing numbers and operational paperwork
• Ideally, you’ll have at least eight years’ experience in catering, hospitality or events, including several years in a senior operations role. Proven experience with large functions and stadium or venue operations is particularly relevant, together with responsibility for budgets, stock, fleet or logistics.
• A valid driver’s licence and reliable transport are important, as the role involves working between the production kitchen, dispatch yard and various event and stadium sites.

Working hours

This is an event-driven position and definitely not Monday to Friday.

Sporting fixtures and major functions mean there will be weekend work, match days, evenings and public holidays, together with early load-ins and late pack-ups. There may also be split-site days or multi-day events where the operation is working across more than one venue.

You need to enjoy that environment rather than simply tolerate it.

Salary: R40,000 – R45,000 per month | NEGOTIABLE

Apply to: [email protected]

This is a strong role for an experienced catering or events operator who loves the logistics side of the business and gets satisfaction from seeing a complicated event come together properly, from the first vehicle leaving the yard to the last piece of equipment coming back.

If you have not heard back from us within the next two weeks, please consider your application as unsuccessful on this particular occasion.

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