Catering and Event Lead Server

Role: Catering and Event Lead Server
Company: Pinx Catering
Department: Logistics
Reports To: Director of Events & Logistics

SUMMARY

Our Catering and Event Servers are the face of Pinx Catering at every event, delivering an elevated and polished guest experience from the first moment of setup through the final farewell. The Lead Server is responsible for delivering exceptional hospitality and ensuring the smooth execution of catered events. This position serves as the on-site leader for the service team, coordinating staff, maintaining service standards, communicating with event management and culinary teams, and ensuring a polished guest and client experience from setup through breakdown, in line with Pinx Catering's commitment to continually elevate the client experience.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Event Preparation & Logistics

- Lead, assign, and supervise service staff throughout the event

- Review event details, timelines, menus, guest counts, and special requests

- Conduct pre-event staff briefings and communicate service expectations

Elevated On-Site Guest Experience

- Oversee setup of tables, buffets, bars, service stations, and guest areas

- Ensure food and beverage service is timely, polished, and consistent with company standards

- Monitor guest needs and proactively address service issues

- Communicate effectively with clients, event managers, culinary staff, venue personnel, and vendors

- Handle guest requests and complaints professionally and escalate issues when necessary

- Ensure proper food safety, sanitation, allergy awareness, and safe service practices

- Maintain cleanliness, organization, and professional appearance throughout the event

- Monitor event timing and coordinate service transitions

- Lead event breakdown, equipment accountability, and final venue inspection

- Report incidents, damages, missing equipment, or other operational concerns to management

- Lead by example and maintain a calm, professional presence in high-pressure situations

Training, Onboarding & Development

- Successfully complete Pinx Catering's Lead Server Protocol checklist

- Perform other related duties as assigned by management

QUALIFICATIONS

- Previous experience in catering, hospitality, food service, or fine dining

- Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred

- Strong knowledge of professional guest-service standards

- Ability to understand and execute event timelines and service plans

- Knowledge of basic food safety and sanitation practices

- Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended event hours as required

- Ability to stand, walk, lift, carry, and perform physical duties associated with event service

- Professional appearance and reliable attendance

- Ability to work effectively in fast-paced and changing environments

COMPETENCIES

- Leadership: Provides clear direction and support to the service team, leads by example, delegates effectively, and maintains accountability for service standards. Anticipates team and event needs, communicates expectations clearly, and remains calm and decisive when addressing challenges.

- Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

- Attendance/Punctuality: Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

- Guest Experience & Hospitality: Delivers warm, attentive, and anticipatory service that elevates the client and guest experience beyond expectations; represents the Pinx Catering brand with polish, professionalism, and discretion; treats every event as an opportunity to exceed expectations.

- Customer Service: Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments.

- Dependability: Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

- Initiative: Volunteers readily; undertakes self-development activities; seeks increased responsibilities; takes independent actions and calculated risks; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; asks for and offers help when needed.

- Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem-solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

- Professionalism: Maintains a polished, composed, and service-focused presence at all times. Represents the company with integrity, respect, discretion, and a positive attitude. Consistently follows company policies and service standards, demonstrates sound judgment, communicates appropriately with guests and team members, and remains calm and solution-oriented in high-pressure situations. Takes ownership of responsibilities, accepts feedback, and holds themselves and others accountable for maintaining a high standard of service.

- Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitment to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

- The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds

- Required protective clothing: non-slip shoes

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.