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Catering Coordinator Food Service Department Full Time Rotating

Northwestern Medicine · Chicago, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 24, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you built a strong relationship with a repeat customer.

What they are checking: Whether they can build the client relationships the posting emphasizes.

How do you write an email to a customer when you have to tell them something they won't like?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate clearly and professionally in writing.

Tell me about a time you worked independently and had to decide when to involve someone else.

What they are checking: Whether they can work on their own while knowing when to escalate.

What would you do

An order is entered wrong and the food arrives short for a 50-person meeting. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they fix the problem fast and communicate honestly with the customer.

You have five events in one morning across Feinberg and Galter. How do you keep deliveries on time?

What they are checking: Whether they can plan and coordinate several events at once.

The schedule rotates start times and includes weekends and holidays. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: Whether they can reliably cover the rotating schedule.

How would you cover for the catering administrative assistant when they're out?

What they are checking: Whether they can step into backup duties without dropping their own work.

About the work

Walk me through how you take a catering order from a department planning a meeting.

What they are checking: Whether they ask the right questions about headcount, timing, diets and setup to get it right.

How do you make sure food allergies and dietary needs are handled correctly?

What they are checking: Whether they take food safety and allergies seriously in a hospital setting.

How do you track vendor costs, like linens, flowers or rented equipment, and invoice customers?

What they are checking: Whether they keep accurate records so charges match what was delivered.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Northwestern Medicine from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

• Hours: 40 hours per week • Rotating Schedule: 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM (Rotating Start/End Times) (Works Weekends and Works Holidays) • Location: Feinberg/Galter; FL BS The Catering Coordinator models the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. Works independently with the ability to multi-task, involving others as needed to meet these expectations. Maintains a professional demeanor communicating clearly to customers via email and/or phone and builds and maintains positive relationships with client groups and colleagues alike. This role serves as backup for the catering administrative assistant and ensures excellent service in all (as defined) catering operations daily. This position may support additional projects and perform administrative tasks such as the completion of customer invoicing, documenting all vendor costs, including linen purveyors, floral or rented equipment, etc. Responsibilities: • Coordinates catering for meetings or events as needed and meets with all levels of staff throughout the hospital for events. • Ensures accuracy of all orders and related details and ensures all orders are accurately entered into the system. • Responsible for timely delivery of catered items (food, beverage, equipment, etc.) to various locations according to event routing sheet. • Calls/emails customers (as needed) to clarify as necessary and to confirm orders prior to meeting. • Responsible for a well-organized “catering room” and its contents, including but not limited to food & equipment. Meets all safety requirements in the catering room ensuring all equipment is clean, sanitized and in optimal condition. • Promotes customer satisfaction at each event through providing excellent customer service • Daily compliance and adherence to food safety, sanitation, and overall workplace safety standards. • Responsible for the overall catering operation that includes quality and food presentation. • Responds to customer feedback to meet customer needs and to enhance catering services. • Leads catering operation and staff for specific events which may include booking, costing food and supply items, pricing, and coordinating additional staff and equipment rental as needed. • Leads, trains, and potentially scheduled staff, (including temp staff and permanent department staff), for events, based on the needs of the event. • Other duties as assigned. Required • High School Diploma • 5-10 years of catering experience • Proven success in customer service outcomes. Preferred • Proficient computer skills • Food Service Sanitation license **** Competencies/Performance Expectations: • Please refer to NMHC Performance (Standard/Leadership) Competencies. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.

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