Supervisor - Catering Operations & Logistics
United Airlines · Chicago · $66,500–$86,616 (stated in the posting)
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Description
Why Inflight Services?
Our customers choose United because of our dedication to safety and passion for service. United's Inflight Services team is made up of diverse, driven individuals working together to Connect People and Unite the World. From operational leadership and crew planning to safety and service procedures, our Inflight Services team provides the innovative approaches, tools, training and guidance needed for our flight attendants to deliver the best possible customer experience, and aid in our mission to become the best airline in the history of aviation.
The Supervisor - Catering Operations & Logistics - serves as Manager on Duty (MOD), providing frontline oversight of catering kitchen operations during assigned shifts. This role ensures safe, timely, and high-quality execution of meal production and aircraft departures while coordinating real-time operational changes. This is a hands-on leadership role suited for an early-career operations professional with 2-3 years of experience in a fast-paced, shift-based environment.
- Shift Leadership & Operational Execution
- Embedded in caterer operation to monitor daily performance and address delays, service issues, and safety incidents to mitigate risk to United’s operation
- Serve as MOD, overseeing vendor kitchen operations during assigned shifts, with routine driving between catering facilities and on-airport presence
- Ensure production readiness, food safety and safety compliance, quality standards, and on-time departures
- Develop clear communication channels with vendor caterers and United operational teams
- Coordinate IRROPS event response in real time
- Complete required reporting and escalate operational risks as needed
- Performance, Auditing & Regulatory Compliance
- Lead root cause reviews and support corrective actions in partnership with corporate and catering safety & food safety teams
- Conduct regular audits ensuring compliance with Catering Operations Business Manual, United Airlines Safety Standards, and other regulatory requirements
- Support investigations into safety incidents including corrective action planning
- Facilitate partnership with United Airlines Food Safety and operational Safety/Security teams
- Promote safety awareness and ensure regulatory and food safety compliance
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Serve as a supporting liaison between Catering vendor and local airport personnel including Inflight, Airport Operations and other similar groups
- Support meetings, channels of communication and other forums for robust information sharing and planning at the local level
- Serve as point of escalation and support for Catering vendors
- Serve as consultant and subject matter expert as needed providing guidance and advice to catering partners and local operating groups
- Coach frontline teams on processes and catering technology systems
- Regularly interface with field and CSC-based Catering leadership teams, to provide for adequate situational awareness and obtain support as needed
- Change Management
- Provide direct support to catering partners on-site in the kitchens for new initiatives such as technology enhancements, changes to United’s performance management system, new process adoption, etc
- Partner with CSC and leadership teams to support change management and communication plans for initiatives
- Provide on-site support and monitoring of adoption and success for new initiatives
- Coordinate execution of new menu concepts and service enhancements
Qualifications
What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):
- Bachelor's degree or 4 years of relevant work experience
- Business, Operations, Engineering or Related Fields
- Minimum 2 years equivalent or similar work experience
- Ability to work flexible schedule to cover operationally critical days of week and shifts
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Office suite
- Knowledge or use of AI (CoPilot, ChatGPT, Gemini)
- Must possess exceptional planning and organizational skills, along with strong written and oral communication skills
- Proven track record to work independently, in controlled and uncontrolled operation environments, and in a team environment
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
- Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
- Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position
What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):
- Bachelor's Degree
- Safety Management systems
- HACCP, PCQI or equivalent food safety certificates
- 2+ years of Vendor Management, Airline Catering, Airport Operations
The base pay range for this role is $66,500.00 to $86,616.00.
The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.
You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.
United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact JobAccommodations@united.com
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