Catering Sales Manager

Drive beverage catering revenue from first inquiry through post-event follow-up by identifying new client opportunities, building custom event proposals, closing contracts, and servicing recurring accounts while cultivating venue, vendor, and industry partnerships in the San Diego market.

Responsibilities

• Meet or exceed assigned monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets and report progress against those targets.
• Generate new sales inquiries, fulfill incoming sales requests, and self-develop events to build and maintain a healthy pipeline.
• Respond promptly to all incoming inquiries, follow up consistently, advance leads through each stage of the pipeline, and convert qualified opportunities into booked business.
• Create custom event proposals, manage client expectations, and close event contracts.
• Cultivate and expand Snake Oil's network of industry contacts, secure placement on key venue preferred lists, and develop lasting sales-generating industry partnerships.
• Represent Snake Oil at key industry networking events to identify new opportunities and grow revenue.
• Develop effective sales tools, proposals, and pitch decks as needed to support the sales effort.
• Assist in developing business in consulting services for restaurants, bars, and select product brands.
• Partner with the Sales Team, Sales leadership, Management, and Operations to plan events and execute projects.
• Ensure smooth customer relations through execution, which may include visiting clients, stopping in at events, or managing events onsite to ensure the client vision is met.
• Communicate all event needs to the Snake Oil team with recommendations that maximize event profitability, control costs, and maintain a high level of client satisfaction.
• Ensure each event is set up with the tools needed for success, that the client is properly serviced the day of the event, and that a follow-up call or email is made after the event.
• Conduct client meetings, venue walkthroughs, and site visits as needed to develop accurate proposals and identify event-specific beverage, staffing, equipment, and logistical requirements.
• Communicate complete and accurate event requirements to Operations with sufficient lead time, including staffing levels, positions, skill or certification needs, product and equipment requirements, dress code, service standards, and other event-specific details.
• Maintain accurate event programs, checklists, and event documentation, and coordinate with clients, outside vendors, venue partners, and Operations to ensure all event requirements are clearly communicated and execution teams are properly prepared.
• On projects where the Catering Sales Manager is the primary contact or sales lead, take primary responsibility for the success or failure of the event from a customer service perspective.
• Individually track sales and leads and maintain accurate, current company sales reporting in Tripleseat, including helping ensure overall Sales Team bookings and reporting stay up to date.
• Responsible for timely collection of all event deposits and payments on closed projects, and support Sales and Management in collecting outstanding payments.
• Come prepared with accurate information and updates for weekly sales meetings and meet regularly with supervisor and the SOCC management team to brainstorm new leads and channels of business.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• Must be at least 21 years of age or older by the start of employment.
• Minimum 2 years of direct catering & event sales experience required; 3 or more years strongly preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of customer service experience required.
• Demonstrated history of closing event & catering contracts and managing a quota-based sales pipeline.
• San Diego market knowledge and existing event industry relationships strongly preferred.
• Multi-event-type sales experience (weddings, corporate, social, nonprofit) preferred.
• Experience with CRM platforms and lead tracking required; Tripleseat experience is a plus.
• Proficiency with standard communication tools (Google Workspace or Microsoft Office).

Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate client vision into clear logistics for venue partners and internal teams.
• Proven ability to anticipate important event details and communicate program needs proactively between client, venue, and Snake Oil.
• Ability to work autonomously to develop business while contributing to the success of a larger sales team.
• Strong organizational skills with disciplined CRM hygiene, accurate reporting, and diligent follow-through on deposits and receivables.
• Ability to manage competing client priorities and perform calmly during live event execution.
• Must reliably commute to San Diego, CA 92101 or plan to relocate prior to start date. Travel for company business is minimal (less than 10%).

Schedule

• Salaried exempt position; office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Event hours range across any combination of days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Schedules require a combination of office hours and event hours to meet client expectations and company sales goals.
• Evening, weekend, and holiday availability is required; you may be asked to work key weekends and holidays.
• Fully in-person position, not remote.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods and to stand, walk, and reach forward frequently during event coverage.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, pull, bend, squat, twist, and turn.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds, with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Work is performed primarily indoors, with frequent outdoor event exposure.

Pay

$70,304 – $74,000 per year (dependent on experience and demonstrated sales performance). Eligible for commission plan and bonus.

Benefits

• 401(k), eligible after 1 year of service.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, eligible the 1st of the month following 60 days.
• Accruable PTO up to 2 weeks per year (limited to 80 hours of use per year).
• Complimentary parking; trolley-adjacent office location.