Catering Sales Manager

Job Summary

As the Catering Sales Manager for Restaurant Associates, you will lead the sales, planning, and execution of internal and external catering events, delivering exceptional hospitality and memorable experiences for clients and guests. This role combines strategic sales development with hands-on event management, requiring a strong understanding of high-end catering, food and beverage operations, and client service.

You will build and maintain strong client relationships, develop new business opportunities, and oversee events from initial inquiry and proposal development through execution and post-event follow-up. In partnership with culinary and operations teams, you will support menu development, pricing and costing, staffing, logistics, and overall event execution while ensuring financial and operational goals are achieved.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive catering sales by cultivating new business opportunities and developing strong, long-term relationships with clients, partners, and vendors.
• Manage the full catering sales cycle, including lead generation, client consultations, proposals, menu development, pricing, contracts, and banquet event orders.
• Plan and coordinate a diverse range of high-end catering events, ensuring exceptional service and seamless execution from initial planning through breakdown and cleanup.
• Partner closely with culinary and operations teams to develop menus that align with client needs, event objectives, budget parameters, and current food and hospitality trends.
• Prepare and monitor catering budgets, financial targets, forecasts, and operating statements while maintaining strong cost controls.
• Manage labor and food costs and ensure events are executed efficiently and profitably.
• Hire, train, coach, and develop team members while establishing and maintaining high standards for service, presentation, and professionalism.
• Oversee event logistics, including food preparation, transportation, setup, service, A/V coordination, breakdown, and cleanup.
• Maintain accurate client and prospect databases and proactively identify opportunities to grow existing business and generate repeat revenue.
• Build and maintain relationships with vendors and external partners to support successful event execution.
• Ensure all catering operations comply with company standards and applicable health, safety, and sanitation regulations, including HACCP guidelines.
• Prepare and analyze reports related to sales activity, revenue, expenses, and receivables.
• Remain highly responsive and composed in a fast-paced environment, anticipating client and operational needs and resolving issues quickly and professionally.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Job Requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Business, Marketing, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• 3-5 years of hospitality or catering experience, including at least 2 years in direct catering sales or event management.
• Proven track record of achieving or exceeding catering sales and revenue goals.
• Experience in upscale, luxury, fine dining, corporate, cultural, or other high-touch hospitality environments preferred.
• Strong knowledge of contemporary food, beverage, hospitality, and event industry trends.
• Exceptional client relationship management and customer service skills with the ability to anticipate and exceed client expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop compelling proposals and menus in partnership with culinary teams.
• Strong understanding of catering operations, event logistics, staffing, food preparation, service, and cleanup.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasting revenue, controlling labor and food costs, and interpreting financial reports.
• Strong leadership skills with experience hiring, training, scheduling, coaching, and developing hospitality teams.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong written, verbal, quantitative, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Familiarity with A/V equipment and event technology, including setup and breakdown.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Proactive, adaptable, solutions-oriented, and able to remain calm and professional under pressure.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, discretion, and ethical conduct.