Manager Catering

Working at Breeze Airways is an exciting endeavor and a serious commitment to bring “The World’s Nicest Airline” to life. We work cross-functionally with truly awesome Team Members to deliver on our mission: “To make the world of travel simple, affordable, and convenient. Improving our guests travel experience using technology, ingenuity and kindness.”

Breeze is hiring- join us!

The Manager Catering is responsible for the overall onboard Guest experience including onboard service, catering, contracts, and business partner management. The role will lead contract negotiations, performance, strategy, development, roll out, and design, onboard service procedures, crew technology, and catering operations with an emphasis on the organization’s values (Safety, Kindness, Integrity, Ingenuity, and Excellence). This will be accomplished by leading, guiding, motivating, and consulting, and executing with all stakeholders and business partners. This role will develop implementation plans and execute strategic projects and contracts, while controlling costs and meeting budget targets. This Leader will cross-collaborate and consensus-build with Finance, Stations, Inflight, Tech-Ops, Flight-Ops, Marketing, Executives, Business Partners, etc. and will need to quickly flex back and forth between strategic foundation-setting and vision, delivery of projects, and dive-in to help with tactical execution of all initiatives. 

Here's what you'll do

• Provide key performance indicators for measuring catering program performance and measure performance against implemented agreements
• Manage catering partner activities with internal business teams, including analyzing vendor performance, documenting failures, and following up with the vendor on complaints and other issues
• Build relationships with key internal stakeholders and external suppliers to work towards enhancing existing agreements, communicating changes, and updating contracts
• Develop, test, and deliver onboard innovations that lead to industry-leading results and drive Net Promoter Scores (NPS)
• Oversee Catering Contracts and the Buy-on-Board program
• Develop procedures and policies related to retail programs, catering, and onboard experience.
• Liaise as first point of contact with catering Business Partners and participate in contract negotiations with catering and onboard experience partners.
• Partner with catering Business Partners to create a catering manual, and aircraft stowage and galley packing diagrams for both normal and surge operations.
• Communicate packing diagrams for weight and balance purposes with Engineering, Flight Ops and Inflight
• Oversee inventory levels as well as allocation of supplies and equipment, and create insource provisioning model and business plan when needed.
• Develop process and implementation for flight, and kitchen audits driving continuous improvement to ensure standards and expectations are met.
• Reconcile all catering department invoices and ensure all charges are paid on a consistent and timely basis.
• Provide follow-up with Catering Business Partner on performance including operational delay performance and service deficiencies
• Partner with Finance to analyze sales data and product trends to make data-driven recommendations to improve the financial performance of the Buy-on-Board program
• Follow-up on Inflight charge errors and comps in partnership with Inflight Operations
• Oversee development, implementation, and maintenance of onboard crew technology, payment device distribution, trouble shooting and effective training
• Partner with Inflight Training for curriculum and training of Onboard Service Procedures and Catering initiatives
• Partner with Marketing to develop an Onboard Service Manual
• Oversee catering discrepancy reporting and ensure continuous improvement
• Partner with Inflight Communications, Corporate Communications, and social media teams to craft communications and promote product and service launches
• Actively participate in daily operational calls and safety briefings
• Maintain awareness of company manual systems and various contents (Flight Attendant Manual, General Operations Manual, Station Operations Manual, etc.)
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with operational and non-operational Team Members (e.g. Stations, Flight-Ops, Tech-Ops. Marketing, Finance, Safety, Security, Crew Resources, Team Services, FAA, OSHA, and Business Partners) to ensure proper protocol adherence
• Achieve performance measures and adhere to established standards in conjunction with Breeze Airways Core Values of Safety, Kindness, Integrity, Ingenuity, and Excellence
• Other duties as assigned

Here's what you'll need to be successful

Minimum Qualifications

• 4-year degree or equivalent additional experience
• 6+ years’ experience in progressive leadership and project management
• Experience with contract review and analysis
• High performance orientation, ability to work well under pressure, prioritize projects, meet deadlines, and maintain flexibility
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time management skills
• Self-starter must have a positive attitude and strong desire for success
• Complete projects on time with minimal supervision, ability to work varied hours when necessary to meet deadlines
• Ability to present comprehensive information to leadership and executive team
• Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR’s) knowledge
• Willingness to travel (up to 25%)
• Must pass a 10-year background check and preemployment drug screen
• Must have authorization to work in the US as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986
• Must possess a valid passport

Preferred Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of catering operations and food processing/handling
• Understanding of a Flight Attendant’s role and daily job duties
• Knowledge of different airline disciplines
• Experience driving innovation

Skills/Talents

• Ability to work with confidential material
• Must have strong business acumen and excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills applicable to a diverse work group
• Must be able to convey a professional image with the ability to communicate comfortably with all levels within the organization
• Must be able to present complex material in a concise but comprehensive manner to all stakeholders and Executives
• Must be a strong collaborator, detail-oriented, and perform well under pressure
• Expected to think and act creatively to solve for constraints in the name of what is best for the Breeze Guests
• Must be able to develop a vision, strategy, and objectives for their area of responsibilities
• Ability to effectively manage and deliver on multiple competing priorities and projects at once within strict deadlines and with limited resources
• Must be a self-starter, have a positive attitude, and possess a strong desire for success

Perks of the Job

• Health, Vision and Dental
• Health Savings Account with Breeze Employee Match
• 401K with Breeze Employee Match
• PTO
• Travel on Breeze and other Airlines too!