Catering and event sales manager

This position works primarily Tuesday through Saturday.

About the Role:

The Catering and Event Sales Manager is responsible for driving revenue growth by developing and executing strategic sales plans for catering and event services across diverse client segments. This role requires building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, vendors, and internal teams to ensure seamless event execution and exceptional customer satisfaction. The manager will oversee the entire sales cycle from lead generation and proposal development to contract negotiation and event delivery. They will collaborate closely with culinary, operations, and marketing teams to tailor offerings that meet client needs and market trends. Ultimately, this position aims to maximize profitability while enhancing the company’s reputation as a premier provider of catering and event services in the United States.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Hospitality Management, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in catering sales, event sales, or hospitality sales.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets in a competitive environment.
• Strong knowledge of event planning processes and catering operations.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working within a large-scale hospitality or event management company.
• Familiarity with CRM software and event management platforms.
• Certification in event planning or hospitality management (e.g., CMP, CSEP).
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing sales teams or cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities through networking, cold calling, and attending industry events.
• Develop customized proposals and presentations to meet client requirements and secure contracts.
• Manage client relationships throughout the event planning process to ensure expectations are met or exceeded.
• Coordinate with internal departments including culinary, operations, and marketing to deliver high-quality events.
• Track sales metrics and prepare regular reports to inform leadership of progress and market insights.
• Negotiate contracts and pricing agreements to optimize profitability while maintaining client satisfaction.
• Stay informed about industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging market opportunities.

Skills:

The required skills such as communication and negotiation are essential for engaging clients effectively and closing sales deals. Strong interpersonal skills enable the manager to build lasting relationships with clients and internal teams, ensuring smooth event execution. Knowledge of event planning and catering operations allows the manager to tailor proposals that align with client needs and operational capabilities. Preferred skills like CRM proficiency and project management help streamline sales tracking and event coordination, improving efficiency and client satisfaction. Leadership and multitasking abilities support managing complex projects and guiding teams to achieve sales goals in a dynamic environment.