Warehouse Associate at Contigo Catering in Austin, TX

Overview Reporting to the Director of Event Operations and working closely with the rest of the Contigo Catering and Ocaso and the Warehouse Associate serves a “right hand” to the Director of Event Operations, serving both companies in their mission. Playing a key role in helping ensure that operations are a well-oiled machine, this role is responsible for ensuring that all departments aside from the kitchen team have access to the tools needed to do their job. Whether it’s packing up materials for an event, ensuring company vehicles and facilities are kept in good condition, organizing the warehouse for maximum efficiency, or running the necessary errands to fulfill needs, the Warehouse Associate is a dynamic link between our headquarters and our onsite event work throughout Central Texas.

Location

Contigo Catering’s office, kitchen, and warehouse are located in Southeast Austin at 3709 Promontory Point Drive, Suite B201, Austin Texas 78744; this is the primary location for this role.

Schedule Full-time, 40 hours per week +, non- exempt position. Hours generally fall between 10 am and 6 pm Tuesday through Saturday, though exact hours vary based on event schedules. Given that the training associated with this role will likely include, some night and weekend flexibility is recommended.

Compensation

Base salary $55k - $60k, commensurate with experience. This role also features incredible benefits: health & dental, paid vacation after one year of employment, bonuses, swag, and more. Delicious, chef-prepared breakfast, lunch, or dinner is a regular benefit of this role, too. W2 Employee status.

Day-to-Day Ownership

This is an opportunity to impact and elevate the entire company on a daily basis. The Warehouse Associate’s day-to-day will reflect current events and ongoing priorities, but can generally be designated within and held accountable to the following: Packlists, and Packing Maintain a detailed and up to date knowledge of our inventory, able to report with accuracy at any time. Pull and pack for every event / order. Safely and efficiently load the van(s)/truck(s) with any and all equipment and non-perishable items before event loaders arrive. Unload and unpack after every event / order return. Updated records and communicate with the Warehouse Associate if anything is missing or damaged. Label all of our new items with appropriate company labels to minimize loss. Help in the recovery process of tracking down missing items. Vehicle Upkeep Ensure the company vehicles are fueled ahead of events. Ensure the vehicle cabs are cleaned weekly, and washed when needed (quarterly at minimum). Oversee the maintenance of vehicles on a regular, consistent schedule: ensure oil changes and other regular service is completed, update registration annually, keep an eye out for issues and communicate with the team to proactively address maintenance needs, ensure all repairs and maintenance are conducted with minimal interruption to business operations. While you do not have to be a mechanic, general comfort with vehicles and diagnostics is helpful. Facilities Upkeep Ensure both warehouses, office, and kitchen are exceptionally well-organized at all times. Spaces should be tidy without the rest of the team thinking about it, and all organization systems should be well labeled and clear, to encourage them to stay that way regardless of which team member is in the space. Regularly change office building air filters (every month), ensure any other routine maintenance and/or inspections are handled effectively. Perform minor facility repairs (such as caulk, painting , furniture assembly, etc.) in the warehouse, office, and kitchen. Radio maintenance (cleaned, packed, organized and charged). Errands & Delivery Safely operate the company van to pick up any rentals, if necessary, before events (small orders or orders that may require high delivery fees due to Sundays/exact time, etc.) & return them following week. Run necessary and requested errands/shopping instructed by the Director of Event Operations. Go over the weekly agenda during the warehouse meeting with the Director of Event Operations. Make deliveries of Contigo Catering materials as needed to fulfill emergency needs or forgotten items.

Events

• On event days, help load perishables and remainder of items with the event team; while performing regular duties, be on call to ensure the events team(s) have everything they need.
• On busy event weekends coming to the warehouse to clean and unload.

Outcomes

A successful candidate in this role embodies the following:

• The warehouses in particular, but also the vehicle, office, and kitchen, are exceptionally well organized and regularly maintained. Everything has its place, all the time, and there’s a process to tidy things up and clear out non-owned objects; there aren’t orphaned items sitting around pending their fate. The rest of the team never has to think about the space being tidy or whether the oil is changed; it already is.

• You are a versatile team player, a resource and guide. You maintain a close connection with the Director of Event Operations, and they can rely on you for support without ever having to micromanage your tasks. The team enjoys being around you. You’re a leader who doesn’t hesitate to do the dirty work; a proactive helper regardless of the specifics of the task.

Characteristics & Skills

Characteristic or Skill	Summary of What’s Expected
Creative & Forward-Thinking	Part art, you know flavor profiles and standards, but you can also develop new combinations and offerings with enjoyment and ease.
Comfortable with Numbers	Part science, you don’t shy away from analyzing data & numbers and use them to help guide decision-making.
Proactive & Self-Motivated	You have an inherent ability to prioritize, take action without being asked, and encourage others to become self-starters.
Problem Solver	You’re solution-oriented all the time but mainly on-site for events. You make it happen in ever-changing environments and come up with creative options when others may be stumped. You can balance the focus on clients’ needs with company needs, seeing the ‘big picture.’
Team player	You anticipate the needs of your team, can hold people accountable without micromanaging them, and consider yourself a mediator.
Detail-oriented	The little things matter to you; you notice minor discrepancies, unpolished glasses, or things that aren’t quite right & dig in to understand them and resolve them.
Finisher	You finish projects that you start and over-deliver on expectations.
Quality-focused	You don’t call a project done until it’s perfect & error-free, and you strive to establish protocols to avoid repeating errors in the future.
Hands-on doer	You have the desire & ability to roll up your sleeves and get in the trenches with event staff as required.
Strong organizational skills	You’re highly organized and have a place for everything that others can interpret and access. You’re not overwhelmed by shifting gears when needed or keeping track of multiple clients and events simultaneously.
Excellent planner	You plan hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and annually to ensure commitments, deadlines, and goals are met, whether last-minute or long-term.
Outgoing & Mindful	You don’t have to be that person who befriends everyone, but you’re comfortable in various spaces and sensitive to communication standards with different clients. You help ensure that our clients and team don’t feel like a transaction and instead like family.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate has:

• A high school diploma or equivalent .
• 3+ years of warehouse experience. While warehouse experience is ideal, we’re not just looking for giant warehouse experience; rather, we’re looking for a familiarity with optimized organization processes, loading/packing, etc., and are flexible to the specifics. Catering experience in particular is a plus, so that you can demonstrate an understanding of how the “big picture” fits together.
• Exceptional organization and communication skills; a knack for keeping multiple priorities in mind, keeping things operating on a regular schedule, and properly and consistently ensuring that key messages cascade across the team as necessary.
• Demonstrated experience with vehicle and/or facilities maintenance is a plus.
• Proficient computing skills including Google Drive, Microsoft Office, etc. Total Party Planner or other catering software experience is a plus.
• Passion for good food and drink, events that inspire, and a volition to provide Texas style hospitality every step of the way.
• Ability to integrate into the culture of Contigo Catering and Ocaso, and be a steward for this company no matter where you are.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely lift up to 100 lbs and engage in heavy work, including being actively on your feet for a full shift
• Ability to operate necessary equipment, including company van and 16-20 foot truck (regular driver’s license required)
• Ability to withstand exposure to varying conditions of noise and sound, temperature, and environmental conditions both inside and outside
• Ability to walk amidst varying terrains and perform warehouse duties, climbing stairs and ramps, or occasionally stooping, kneeling, pushing, and pulling to assist with warehouse and facilities needs

Please note that Contigo Catering and Ocaso’s offices are ADA compliant, and Contigo Catering / Table Manners will do their best to make accommodations for the qualified applicant with mobility limitations or other disabilities. We encourage everyone of differing abilities to apply, but while doing so, please let us know what accommodations are required in your working environment.

Contigo provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, or sexual orientation. We particularly encourage individuals who identify as BIPOC and LGBTQ+ to apply.

The responsibilities and duties listed above are intended to communicate general priorities for this position, but should not be understood as an exhaustive list of all job requirements to be completed through the duration of employment with Contigo Catering.

What to Expect After Applying

• We review all applications received. If your materials spark interest, we'll send you a link to a Culture Index Assessment. This brief 5-10 minute survey allows us to round out your submitted materials and convene as a team to decide which candidates might be a good fit.
• If your materials align and are promising, we'll invite you to an initial 15-minute phone screening with the hiring manager.
• If the conversation proves fruitful, promising candidates will have an in person interview with the direct manager.
• All candidates, whether good or bad news, will receive some form of notice regardless of which stage of the process they progress to.
• The above steps move at a pace that aligns with candidate response time, team availability, and other components. Generally speaking, we are looking to make a hire as soon as we identify the right fit.
• Is this job fit for you? We encourage you to apply! We’re still looking for the right person if the listing is live.

We look forward to hearing from you!