CATERING & FOOD TRUCK MANAGER

Armstrong Barbecue & Smashville

Location: Geelong, VIC (must be local or willing to relocate)

Full-time, Permanent

$85,000 - $120,000 total package (base + performance bonuses)

ABOUT THE ROLE

This isn't just a food truck management job. You're building a catering business.

Armstrong Barbecue does Texas-style barbecue properly (offset smoking, 12+ hours per brisket). Smashville brings authentic Nashville hot chicken culture to Australia. Both run from our production kitchen in Geelong.

50% of your time: Working hands-on at events (cooking, serving, representing the brands)

50% of your time: Building relationships, following up leads, booking catering jobs, growing revenue

Your bonus is 80% tied to financial performance. If you grow the catering business, your income grows with it.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Build the Catering Business: This is the main focus. Build relationships with corporate clients, event planners, venue managers. Follow up leads. Convert conversations into bookings. Network at events and spot opportunities.

Run Food Truck Operations: Cook and serve at events across Victoria. Talk to customers authentically. Educate people about our brands. Manage busy service periods. Drive the truck (MR licence required). Maintain excellent food quality consistently.

Lead Your Team: Recruit, train, and manage 2-4 casual staff. Build capable team members who can execute without you doing everything.

Maintain Standards: Keep the truck immaculate. Ensure perfect food safety compliance. Keep equipment organized and ready.

Manage the Business: Track inventory, manage operational budget, report on financial performance, document processes.

WHO YOU ARE

Must Have:

- 2+ years managing food service operations (food trucks, catering, restaurants, events)

- MR licence or willing to get it immediately

- Proven track record maintaining quality while growing business

- Experience recruiting, training, and leading teams

- Understanding of P&L, budgets, cost management

- Based in Geelong or genuinely willing to relocate

Your Approach:

- You naturally spot business opportunities and act on them

- Comfortable being hands-on (cooking, serving, cleaning, loading)

- You see problems and fix them without being told

- You build systems, not just work harder

- You want performance-based pay

- Fine with evenings and weekends (when events happen)

Bonus Points:

- Food truck or mobile catering experience

- Relationships in Victoria's events/catering scene

- Business development or sales background

- Knowledge of barbecue or American food culture

COMPENSATION

Base: $85,000 - $95,000

Bonus: Up to $25,000/year (paid quarterly)

Total: $85,000 - $120,000

Bonus Breakdown:

- 80% Financial Performance (up to $20,000): Revenue growth, catering bookings, new clients, repeat business, profitability

- 10% Operational Excellence (up to $2,500): Food safety, maintenance, inventory accuracy

- 10% Customer Experience (up to $2,500): Satisfaction, retention, reviews

THE REALITY

Schedule: You manage it. Events are evenings/weekends. Usually 38-45 hours/week.

Physical: Standing 4-8 hours at events. Hot kitchen environment. Lifting up to 20kg. All weather conditions. Driving across Victoria.

First 90 Days: Probationary period. Learn the brands, prove you can run events independently, start generating catering leads, maintain standards consistently.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Most food truck jobs = fixed pay, limited growth, just executing someone else's plan.

This role = you're building something. Real autonomy. Income grows with business growth. Proper support (production kitchen, experienced staff, equipment). Actual growth path as we scale.

Victoria's catering market is strong. The demand exists. What's been missing is someone who can deliver excellent experiences while building the client base.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Do your homework. We will test your knowledge in interviews.

Research required:

- Visit Armstrong Barbecue and Smashville websites and social media

- Understand Texas-style barbecue (offset smoking, low and slow)

- Learn Nashville hot chicken culture (not just "spicy chicken")

- Read our reviews, look at our Instagram, understand our positioning

Generic applications = immediate rejection.

HOW TO APPLY

Send to: [email protected]

Subject: Catering & Food Truck Manager

Include:

1. Resume highlighting: food service management, business development, team leadership, revenue growth

2. Video intro (2-3 min) - STRONGLY PREFERRED

- Why Armstrong Barbecue and Smashville specifically?

- What do you know about Texas BBQ and Nashville hot chicken?

- Tell us about something you built or improved (specific example with results)

- Why you're right for this opportunity

No video? Write a detailed cover letter answering the same questions.

3. One concrete example of something you built, improved, or achieved

Interview Process: Application screening > Phone interview > In-person + facility tour > Paid practical (3-4 hours) > Final discussion

WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Someone who reads this and thinks "This is what I've been looking for." Someone excited about landing corporate catering contracts AND perfecting service during a 300-person rush. Someone who treats the business like it's theirs even when it's not.

If that's you, we want to hear from you.

Questions? Email the Executive Chef, Nathan

Applications close: 14th November

Start date: ASAP

Armstrong Barbecue | Smashville

Authentic American Food Done Right

We hire based on capability, cultural fit, and drive to succeed. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 – $95,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person