Position: Assistant Manager, Banquets & Catering

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba (Assiniboine Park Conservancy)

Salary range: Starting at $45,000 based on relevant work experience

Additional Benefits: 3 weeks vacation, excellent healthcare benefits (effective day 1), RRSP matching plan

Imagine joining a team that is at the top of their game. Come to work at Levy and learn from the pros how to serve thousands of visitors in some of the world’s best venues. Because of what we do, more than 30,000 guests enjoy an unforgettable experience every day. Learn. Grow. Serve. It is a winning combination.

Why work with Park Hospitality?

Park Hospitality is the food & beverage, retail, and guest services team at Assiniboine Park. We operate with intention, rooted in our guiding principles of Community, Sustainability, Adventure, and Excellence.

Our diverse venues — including Park Café, Tundra Grill, Gather Craft Kitchen & Bar, The Leaf, and event spaces across the Park — serve as the backdrop for meaningful, inclusive, and memorable experiences. From curated retail offerings to warm guest service and thoughtful dining, our team brings the spirit of Assiniboine Park to life in every interaction.

The Opportunity

The Assistant Manager, Banquets & Catering will be responsible for managing the operations and maintaining profitable banquets while achieving revenue targets and meeting budgeted margins. This position will ensure safe operational standards and efficiency related to the management of Banquets & Catering. The Manager will be responsible for managing, scheduling, and supervising all banquet staff and will participate in the training and development of employees. The assistant manager will also ensure appropriate inventory and supply levels for the delivery of client banquets & catered events in a high-quality manner. This includes implementing the sales strategy & tactics to ensure our guests receive quality products and have a wonderful experience that exceeds their expectations.

This position will be responsible for arranging the completion of event details while maintaining profitable operations with quality products and service levels. The Assistant Banquets & Catering Manager will be the liaison between the client and the Park Hospitality banquet team to ensure successful events with the intent to generate new and repeat business.

The Assistant Manager Banquets & Catering will be expected to lead by example and manage the banquet operations in compliance with all health and safety regulations by ensuring adherence and compliance to sanitary and safe food handling guidelines set by Manitoba Health regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

Service Excellence & Standards

• Ensure the highest caliber of food & drink presentation.
• Ensure cleanliness and hygiene is maintained in the various banquet areas including refrigerators and storerooms, rotate products to ensure high standards of freshness. Keep refrigerators and storerooms organized and maintained in the various banquet areas daily ensuring all products are stored in accordance with Manitoba Health regulations.
• Purchase beverage, liquor, wine, beer, and, related banquet supplies, and keep adequate par levels to eliminate outages or shorts by maintaining an efficient and well-organized inventory.
• Ensure liquor deliveries are accurate and stored securely according to the standards set by Manitoba Health regulations.
• Ensure the proper measurements in all recipes, portioning, and drink production.
• Ensure banquet staff have an extensive knowledge of Manitoba Heath food handling and sanitation regulations.
• Ensure items are stored in appropriate containers, labeled, and rotated to ensure high standards of freshness, minimizing waste and maximizing quality.
• Master knowledge of banquet menu and all food and bar stations.

Event Planning & Execution

• Ensure all details and services for meetings, catering, and coordinating events are completed and executed based on client requests.
• Ensure banquet event orders are completed to exceed customer expectations by communicating with all stakeholders (customers, managers, and employees).
• Handle multiple customer and operation demands with a high degree of professionalism.
• Support staff in their duties and assist guests by being constantly visible on the banquet floor during events.
• Seek opportunities to increase banquet revenue, decrease expenses and maximize departmental productivity without compromising client satisfaction.

Finance

• Ensure financial control systems are followed to ensure proper control of expenditures, procurement, and department-controlled revenue.
• Working with the General Manager, assist in the development of the annual budget, including revenue forecasts and all operating expenses, (labor, COGS, equipment, supplies, etc.).
• Accountable for inventory processes, accuracy & financial reporting.
• Ensure Month End and periodic inventory counts and reconciliation are completed and documented.
• Review and monitor month end financial reporting and expense control.
• Responsible for operational budget in conjunction with management
• Manage operating budgets.
• Demonstrate excellent judgment, financial and business acumen.
• Responsible for ensuring operational efficiency and fiscally responsible practices while maintaining the organizational brand standards and customer satisfaction targets.

Human Resources

• Recruit, train and develop all banquet employees.
• Identify and communicate changes to staff assignments as they arise throughout the shift.
• Assign work and side duties to staff in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Coach and provide leadership to all banquet staff, either directly or through the Assistant Banquet Manager and Banquet Captains, ensure the training and development of staff.
• Ensure that the morale of the banquet staff is maintained by practicing positive strategies to motivate staff, encourage self-esteem and efficiency.
• Delegate duties to the Banquet Captain(s) any operational aspects of the banquet operations as necessary.
• Conduct pre-shift meetings with the Banquet Captain(s) and review all information pertinent to the day’s business.
• Promote professional work habits, encourage staff to act with integrity and recognize this trait in others.
• Identify training needs of staff and create plans to retain and develop talent in technical and behavioral competencies.
• Recognizing and reward high-performing employees as well as those delivering at ‘successful performance’ levels create a culture within the Food & Beverage department that respects all employees in our team, encourages & motivates employees to improve, and that doesn’t use fear or bullying to increase productivity.
• Coach and mentor employees to ensure growth, confidence, independence, and interdependence.
• Progressive discipline up to and including recommendation for termination.

Administration

• Respond in a positive and timely manner to all internal and external guest requests and complaints, while meeting Park Hospitality’s standards to exceed the clients’ expectations in addition to remaining budget conscious, fill out and submit forms to the required department managers who should be notified.
• Strive to uphold a safe work environment and be health and safety conscious, be actively involved in maintaining and improving a safe work environment. Ensure maintenance requests, incident reports and incident investigations are submitted and followed up.
• Ensure all administrative forms are completed and submitted in a timely manner to all banquet employees, including daily timesheets, vacation request forms, and overtime approvals.
• Ensure compliance with all inventory control SOPs.
• Ensure that scheduled employees have reported to work; document any late or absent employees and use corrective action as deemed necessary.
• Ensure banquet staff are meeting dress code standards.
• Create, implement, and maintain departmental objectives and ensure they are met and exceeded.
• Understand and manage operating budgets, forecasting and scheduling.

General Duties

• Adhere and comply with all Park Hospitality and Compass Group Canada policies, safety regulations and safe work practices that will ensure a safe work environment.
• Maintain a professional image while working and provide extraordinary experiences to our park visitors while performing daily work activities.
• Demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain positive and inclusive relationships with co-workers, volunteers, and visitors.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and proven ability to work effectively with a diverse population.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 8 years combined experience in hospitality.
• 3-5 years in a supervisory role.
• Proficiency with computer programs including Microsoft Office software.
• A high school diploma and/or GED equivalent.
• AFST compliance is required.
• LGCA, Smart Choices Liquor Certification.
• A valid Manitoba Class 5 Driver’s License.
• A combination of education and experience will be considered.

Asset:

• A post-secondary diploma in Hospitality & Event Planning would be considered a strong asset.
• MB Health, Food Handler Certificate Manitoba will be considered an asset.