Custom Excel Automation System for Catering Operations

Excel Automation Developer – Catering Operations System About Us My name is John Policastro, Founder of Personal Touch Catering Experience, a high-volume catering and hospitality company serving New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. We are seeking an experienced Excel Automation Developer, Business Systems Consultant, or Operations Automation Specialist to build a custom system that streamlines our production and event execution processes. Project Overview We want to create an automated operational workflow that allows our team to enter a catering order one time and automatically generate all necessary production documents. The system will support kitchen production, event operations, and pack-out logistics while reducing manual data entry and operational errors. Primary Objectives The system should automatically generate: Chef Production Lists Kitchen Prep Lists Pack-Out Lists Equipment & Rental Lists Production Quantities Pan Counts Printable Event Worksheets Existing Resources We already have: A structured Menu Database (MENU_DB) Item codes Portion sizes Yield calculations Pan capacities Existing Chef List templates Existing Pack-Out List templates Existing Equipment List templates Sample event proposals and catering orders Initial automation logic and formulas We need an expert to convert these resources into a professional, scalable, and reliable solution. Scope of Work The developer will build a system that: Input Accepts catering orders through Excel Allows manual order entry Supports importing proposal data Maintains a clean and simple user interface Processing Engine Uses the MENU_DB to calculate: Guest counts Portion requirements Batch production quantities Pan counts Equipment requirements Service quantities Output Automatically generates: Chef Production List Production quantities Prep requirements Batch counts Kitchen notes Pack-Out List Trays Sternos Serving utensils Cambros Garnishes Miscellaneous event items Equipment List Cooking equipment Service equipment Rental requirements Specialty equipment User Experience One-click generation process Clear navigation Printable reports Easy maintenance by office staff No coding knowledge required Technical Requirements Strong experience with: Microsoft Excel XLOOKUP INDEX/MATCH Dynamic Arrays Power Query Power Pivot VBA/Macros Process Automation Experience with the following is a plus: Airtable Google Sheets Microsoft Power Platform Catering Operations Hospitality Systems Inventory Management Deliverables Fully functioning automated workbook or system Source files Documentation Team training guide Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 1–2 rounds of revisions Optional ongoing support agreement Budget We are open to discussing scope and pricing based on experience and proposed approach. Timeline Preferred completion: 4–8 weeks To Apply Please provide: Relevant Excel automation experience Examples of similar systems you have built Your recommended approach Estimated timeline Estimated project cost Availability to begin About Personal Touch Catering Experience Personal Touch Catering Experience is a fast-growing hospitality company producing corporate dining, social events, weddings, galas, and large-scale catered experiences throughout the New York metropolitan area. We are investing in systems and automation to support our next phase of growth and are looking for a long-term technology partner who can help us build scalable operational solutions. Thank you, John Policastro Founder & CEO Personal Touch Catering Experience