Supervisor - Catering Operations & Logistics

Supervisor - Catering Operations & Logistics

Location Chicago, Illinois, United StatesCategory CorporateJob IdORD00003715Flight Ops / Inflight - Management & AdministrativeJob TypeFull-TimePosted Date 10/21/2026

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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.