Catering & Events Manager

About BEAST Craft BBQ Co.

BEAST Craft BBQ Co. is a high-volume barbecue and catering company based in Illinois and Missouri, executing catering, events, and food truck operations at a professional, commercial scale. These channels are core revenue drivers for the company and are managed with the same operational standards as our restaurants.

We are a nationally ranked & acclaimed restaurant group, with more awards collectively than any group in the St. Louis area. Known for our attention to detail and careful sourcing, we provide a culture centered around equal opportunity, trust, respect, policy & procedure, and a love for what we do.

Awards

"#11 Best BBQ in America" - Big7 Travel
"#13 Best Ribs in America" - Big7 Travel
"Best BBQ in Illinois" - Food & Wine Magazine
"Top-33 BBQ Joints in America" - Thrillist.com
#14 Best Restaurant in St. Louis" - St. Louis Post Dispatch
"Best New Restaurant" - Sauce Magazine
"Best BBQ in St. Louis" - Riverfront Times
"Chef of the Year" (David Sandusky) - FEAST Magazine

Position Summary

The Catering & Events Manager is a salaried leadership role responsible for the full management of catering, event, and food truck operations from inquiry through execution and closeout. This includes sales, planning, staffing, logistics, inventory, vehicle readiness, reporting, and on-site leadership.

This role is expected to independently manage complex, high-revenue events, including large off-site events, while coordinating closely with restaurant leadership to ensure consistent execution.

Reporting Structure

• Reports directly to the Director of Operations (DO)
• Works in coordination with the General Manager and Location Managers to execute catering, events, and food truck operations

Compensation

• $60,000 annual salary
• 2% commission on all catering invoices (gross)
• 2% commission on all event sales (gross)
• 2% commission on all food truck sales (gross)
• 2% commission on all Energizer Park sales (net)
• 2% commission on all orders placed through the online catering store (gross)

Other Benefits

• Get Paid Quicker - We pay our team members weekly.
• Growth Opportunities - We want you to explore higher positions.
• Better quality of life - Flexible work schedule.
• PTO - Earn paid time off.
• Discounts - Receive discounts on food from any of our restaurants.
• Allowances - Eat & drink for free on your shift.
• Free Thanksgiving Turkey - For your family.

Core Responsibilities

Sales, Planning & Booking

• Own catering, event, and food truck sales from inquiry through final invoice
• Manage incoming leads from phone, email, online store, and walk-ins
• Quote accurately and ensure timely invoicing and payment
• Plan menus, staffing, timelines, and execution details for each event or food truck service

Event & Food Truck Execution

• Take responsibility for on-site and off-site catering, event, and food truck execution
• Oversee setup, service flow, and breakdown
• Delegate tasks clearly to catering staff, drivers, and food truck personnel
• Ensure all services are properly staffed, equipped, and prepared
• Serve as the primary on-site point of contact for clients, venues, and staff

Delivery & Driver Scheduling

• Serve as the primary delivery person for catering orders whenever possible
• Schedule catering drivers when there are conflicts, overlapping orders, or volume exceeds capacity
• Coordinate delivery timing to ensure food quality and on-time arrival

Catering & Food Truck Vehicles

• Oversee maintenance and readiness of all catering and food truck vehicles
• Schedule routine and unscheduled maintenance
• Ensure vehicles are clean, fueled, safe, and service-ready

Staffing, Hiring & Retention

• Recruit, interview, hire, and onboard catering, event, driver, and food truck staff
• Conduct training, orientation, and ongoing performance coaching
• Maintain accountability through clear expectations and documentation
• Handle corrective action and terminations in coordination with company policy
• Build and retain a reliable, professional catering and events team

Inventory, Ordering & Pars

• Maintain catering, event, and food truck inventory systems
• Establish and manage pars for food, disposables, equipment, and truck supplies
• Complete inventories and place orders as needed

Reporting & Accountability

• Produce regular catering, event, and food truck sales and labor reports
• Track performance against budgets and revenue targets
• Communicate proactively with the Director of Operations regarding risks or deviations
• Maintain organized documentation for all catering, event, and food truck operations

Operational Support

• Fulfill required weekly hours as a salaried manager
• Assist with restaurant operations during slower catering or food truck periods as needed

Required Qualifications

Relevant management experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience managing catering, events, and/or food truck operations.

Team leadership

• Demonstrated experience recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling, and leading teams to consistent performance standards.

Organization & leadership

• Strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and confident leadership in fast-moving environments.

Off-site execution

• Ability to manage high-revenue, high-complexity off-site operations with full ownership of setup, service flow, and breakdown.

Time management

• Strong time management skills with the ability to prioritize, delegate, and meet deadlines without last-minute scrambling.

Sales capability

• Strong sales skills with a proven ability to build trust, lead client conversations, and close catering/event agreements.

Communication

• Clear, professional communication with clients, staff, and leadership; able to set expectations and follow through.

Professional presence

• Maintains a polished, hygienic, guest-facing appearance and represents the BEAST brand confidently in meetings, tastings, and on-site events.

Schedule flexibility

• Willingness to work an open schedule, including nights, weekends, and event days as required.

Driving requirements

• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive catering vehicles as needed.

Work Environment & Standards

• This is a hands-on leadership role with clear accountability & training
• The Catering & Events Manager is responsible for both execution and team performance
• All employees must adhere to BEAST Craft BBQ Co. standards, policies, and performance expectations

How to Apply

Submit your resume and a brief summary of your experience with catering, events, food trucks, and team leadership.

Come join our pit crew!

We are a nationally ranked & acclaimed restaurant group, with more awards collectively than any group in the St. Louis area. Known for our attention to detail and careful sourcing, we provide a culture centered around equal opportunity, trust, respect, policy & procedure, and a love for what we do.

Awards:

-Big7 Travel - "#11 Best BBQ in America"
-Big7 Travel - "#13 Best Ribs in America"
-Food & Wine Magazine - "Best BBQ in Illinois"
-Thrillest.com - "Top-33 BBQ Joints in America"
-Sauce Magazine - "Best New Restaurant"
-Riverfront Times - "Best BBQ in St. Louis"
-FEAST Magazine - "Chef of the Year" (David Sandusky)

Full & Part-Time Opportunities Available For:
Pit Cook

We’re proud to cultivate a great work environment, and excellent opportunities for advancement along with the following benefits:

• Get Paid Quicker - We pay our team members weekly
• Growth Opportunities - Approximately 95% of our management team started out as hourly team members.
• Better quality of life - Flexible work schedule, and no late night bar hours!
• Paid Time Off
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Discounts - Receive discounts on food from the restaurant.
• Allowances - Eat & drink for free on your shift.

REPORTS TO:

Assistant Manager>General Manager>Executive Operations Manager

JOB SUMMARY:

Cook & smoke meats, vegetables, and other hot food products, prepare and portion food products prior to cooking, as well as during service. To offer support in other areas of the kitchen, as needed. To wash and clean tableware, pots, pans, and cooking equipment, and general dishes. To clean kitchen equipment. To maintain quality, sanitation & cleanliness of stations. To follow proper opening & closing procedures.

***Must be able to lift 50 pounds.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $22-$28/hr ($15/hr + tips)

Come join our kitchen team!

We are a nationally ranked & acclaimed restaurant group. Known for our attention to detail and careful sourcing, we provide a culture centered around equal opportunity, trust, respect, policy & procedure, and a love for what we do.

Awards:

-Big7 Travel - "#11 Best BBQ in America"
-Big7 Travel - "#13 Best Ribs in America"
-Food & Wine Magazine - "Best BBQ in Illinois"
-Thrillest.com - "Top-33 BBQ Joints in America"
-Sauce Magazine - "Best New Restaurant"
-Riverfront Times - "Best BBQ in St. Louis"
-FEAST Magazine - "Chef of the Year" (David Sandusky)

Full or Part Time Opportunity Available For:
Line Cook

We’re proud to cultivate a great work environment, and excellent opportunities for advancement along with the following benefits:

• Get Paid Quicker - We pay our team members weekly
• Growth Opportunities - Approximately 95% of our management team started out as hourly team members.
• Better Quality of Life - Flexible schedule, and early closes!
• Discounts - Receive discounts on food from the restaurant
• Allowances - Eat & drink for free on your shift.
• Paid Time Off - Earn paid time.

REPORTS TO:

Lead Cook>Kitchen Manager>General Manager>Director of Operations

JOB SUMMARY:

Cook meats, vegetables, and other hot food products as well as prepare and portion food products prior to cooking, as well as during service. To offer support in other areas of the kitchen, as needed. To wash and clean tableware, pots, pans, and cooking equipment, and general dishes. To perform final plating & garnishing of cooked items. To clean kitchen equipment. To maintain quality, sanitation & cleanliness of stations. To follow proper opening & closing procedures.

***Must be able to lift 50 pounds.

Reports to: Executive Operations Manager

About BEAST Craft BBQ Co.

BEAST Craft BBQ Co. is a nationally ranked and acclaimed restaurant company. We are known for our uncompromising attention to detail and careful sourcing. Our culture is centered around equal opportunity, trust, respect, and a genuine love for the craft of BBQ.

Select Awards & Notable Recognition

BEAST Craft BBQ Co. is among the most decorated restaurant groups in the nation. While our full list of accolades is extensive, here are a few highlights of our commitment to excellence:

• #11 Best BBQ in America – Big7 Travel
• Best BBQ in Illinois – Food & Wine Magazine
• Top-33 BBQ Joints in America – Thrillist.com
• #14 Best Restaurant in St. Louis – St. Louis Post Dispatch
• Chef of the Year (David Sandusky) – FEAST Magazine

Position Summary

The General Manager (GM) is the operational quarterback and culture enforcer of the restaurant. You are the primary custodian of the company’s assets, reputation, and staff. Success in this role is measured by outcomes, including: sales, profit, and guest/staff satisfaction, rather than just effort. This is a "lead from the front" role requiring a blend of technical pit mastery, ability to step in on the cook line, and high-energy hospitality.

Core Responsibilities

1. Commissary & Logistics Management

• Production Oversight: Manage the high-volume production schedules to ensure all satellite locations receive 100% accurate, high-quality prep and smoked meats on time, every time.
• Supply Chain: Oversee bulk ordering, inventory pars, and storage logistics for the entire group from this hub location.
• Quality Consistency: Ensure that the "BEAST Standard" is identical across all locations by strictly enforcing prep recipes and smoking protocols at the source.

2. Hospitality & The "Floor General"

• Active Queue Management: Engage with guests waiting in line to order, helping them navigate our menu and select the right items for their preferences.
• 100% Table Touches: Ensure you or a delegated manager connects genuinely with every table during service to check on food quality and resolve issues before guests leave.
• Guest Recovery: Close the loop with guests who have concerns, ensuring they feel supported and that we cared enough to resolve the situation.

3. Pit Mastery & Operational Excellence

• Technical Pit Work: You must be trained and fully competent in our pit operations, including understanding wood, smoke, temperature, and fire management.
• Quality Assurance: Enforce strict adherence to recipes, smoke schedules, pars, and portion controls to ensure every tray matches BEAST standards.
• Inspection Readiness: Maintain a 100% health department compliance standard; any score under 96% is considered a lack of system integrity.

4. Financial Performance & Accountability

• P&L Management: Own the restaurant’s financial outcomes, managing labor and COGS to meet defined budgetary targets.
• Weekly Reporting: Review spending and financial KPIs with Executive Operations Manager weekly, providing written action plans for any negative variances.
• Inventory Control: Oversee weekly inventory with less than ±2% variance and manage purchasing within budget targets.

5. Leadership & Talent Development

• Weekly Recruiting: Maintain an active pipeline of candidates by recruiting weekly, even when fully staffed.
• Mentorship: Identify and actively develop at least one promotable assistant candidate every six months.
• Culture Maintenance: Inspire staff to be better versions of themselves, addressing issues immediately and fairly with a focus on staff member success.

Required Qualifications

• Management Experience: 3–5 years of GM experience (or equivelant) in a high-volume restaurant.
• Pit Competency: Proven ability to master professional pit operations.
• Certifications: Current ServSafe, and BASSET certifications.
• Leadership DNA: A fair, level-headed leader who is steady under pressure and leads by example in cleanliness, preparation, and follow-through.
• Full Open Availability: This is a lead-from-the-front position. You must have an open schedule and the flexibility to work nights, weekends, and holidays. You are expected to be the primary presence on the floor during our highest-volume periods to ensure 100% guest satisfaction and operational excellence.
• Unwavering Reliability: Must have reliable transportation and a consistent track record of being punctual and dependable. As the leader of the restaurant, your presence sets the standard for the entire team.

Physical Requirements

• Stamina: Ability to remain on your feet, moving at a fast pace for the duration of a shift.
• Strength: Ability to lift, carry, and move items weighing up to 50 lbs regularly (e.g., cases of brisket, wood for pits, and heavy catering equipment).
• Dexterity: Ability to perform repetitive tasks with precision, including meat trimming, heavy slicing, and high-volume food preparation.

Expected Hours & Schedule

• Weekly Commitment: This is a full-time, salaried leadership role. You are expected to work an average of 45-55 hours per week.
• Lead-from-the-Front: Your schedule must prioritize being the primary presence on the floor and available to help the line as needed, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Operational Presence: You are expected to set the emotional and professional tone of the restaurant by being visible during peak rushes to ensure 100% guest satisfaction and quality control.

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting Salary: $80,600 per year.
• Health Insurance: 50% Company-Paid.
• Dental & Vision: 100% Company-Paid.
• Get Paid Weekly: Reliable weekly pay cycles.
• PTO: Earned paid time off.
• Dining Perks: Free meals on shift and 20% discounts across all locations when off-duty.
• Family Traditions: A free Thanksgiving Turkey for your family every year.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume via Indeed. Please include a brief cover letter explaining your background, philosophy, and your specific experience building a positive staff culture.