Hospitality Confidential is pleased to present an exciting new Catering Sales Manager position in Highland Park, CA! Our client is a popular eatery known for its vibrant, community-focused atmosphere and a menu that emphasizes authentic, regional flavors! Our client’s operational efforts are all an extension of their core values and mission. Their goal is to redefine casual dining and break down barriers of access to high quality food and caring hospitality at an affordable price point. They are your home away from home. A place where everyone feels welcome and valued. No matter where you’re from!

The Catering Sales Manager (CSM) should inspire and embody the brand’s culture, mission, and core values. Embrace the vision which includes nurturing our communities within our four walls and in our surrounding community. The CSM is responsible for growing and building catering sales by creating awareness of offerings in the community and providing guests with the best possible experience.  

If this sounds like you, we’d love to talk to you! 

CORE SKILLS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Guest Focus: Build strong guest relationships and deliver hospitality-centric solutions while driving catering revenue and new opportunities. Lead impeccable execution of the catering program to ensure all guidelines and standards meet or exceed expectations. Take pride in your work to ensure the guest experience is better each day. 

• Action Oriented: Venture to take the path less traveled and seek new opportunities with creativity, urgency and ownership. Manage time efficiently by taking initiative and strive to consistently achieve results, meet deadlines and expectations, as they pertain to expanding the catering guest database, safety, compliance, sanitation, and departmental responsibilities - even under tough circumstances.

• Resilient: Bounce back quickly from setbacks. Calmly identify and troubleshoot issues that arise to ensure the catering department operates at optimal capacity. Constantly communicate with honesty, integrity and transparency. 

• Collaborative: Build partnerships and work collaboratively to meet shared objectives. Work closely with the team to support efficient operations and effective training. Practice self awareness and flexibility while building relationships. Think boldly and bravely to shape a positive impact on one's self, family, neighbors and team members.

• Decision Quality: Make high quality, action-oriented decisions that ensure the goals of the organization move forward. Quickly identify opportunities and challenges while leading with care, resilience, resourcefulness, courage and integrity that instills confidence and trust.

• Drive Results: Strive to consistently achieve results and meet deadlines and expectations, even under tough circumstances. Inspire others to succeed while balancing key metrics with community building, guest hospitality and team well-being. 

• Ensure Accountability: Hold self and others to meet commitments while fully understanding and exhibiting the brand’s mission and vision. Embody the brand’s core values, while upholding service and quality standards with a sense of urgency.

• Attract Top Talent: Seek, select and develop a high performing team to meet current and future business needs. Develop the next generation of leadership while providing ongoing coaching and timely feedback to uphold standards with fairness. Identify team members with high potential and collaborate with leadership to set goals and pathways for growth.

• Communicate Effectively: Communicate with honesty, intention and transparency.  Adapt approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of guests, the team and the situation. Ensure that communication is clear and effective while building partnerships to work collaboratively.

STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITIES & OVERSIGHT

• The CSM provides direct leadership to the catering coordinator team. 

• The CSM is responsible for meeting goals for the department. Success includes but is not limited to, ensuring timely response to all inquiries and leads. Pursue, develop, and maintain guest relationships through networking and prospecting. Actively seek out new sales opportunities through cold calling, networking and social media. Conduct market research to identify potential clients and develop a comprehensive understanding of their needs. Generate and follow up on leads to secure new business. Provide excellent service and hospitality to guests through the entire lifespan of the event process, including during the initial inquiry, menu development, proposal-building, event execution and post-event followup. Act as Event Manager when needed. Prepare and present proposals, contracts and other sales documents. Maintain accurate records of interactions, sales activities and event details. Report on sales metrics and performance as requested. 

• The CSM is responsible for acting as an ambassador to increase brand awareness by participating in marketing initiatives to promote catering services. Attend industry events, trade shows, networking functions and supporting the employer brand. Contribute to the development of promotional materials and campaigns.

• Success is measured by overall the performance of the catering department including revenue performance, managing costs, food safety, talent development, and talent retention.

REQUIREMENTS

• 2-3 years experience in catering sales for limited service restaurant groups.

• Manager Food Safety Certification required, or ability to pass the test if provided.

• Personable hospitality and sincere interest in  working with guests and a diverse team.

• Passion for food, hospitality, and providing an exemplary guest experience.

• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficiency in using computer-based applications and software programs.

• Availability to work a minimum of five days per week. Extended hours and/or a sixth day may occasionally be required. Weekends, day shifts and evening shifts may be required.

• Must maintain regular, predictable attendance, which includes attendance at all scheduled shifts, training and meetings.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time (6 or more hours per shift, excluding break times).

• Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 25 pounds

• Ability to recognize, perceive, communicate and/or comprehend directions and spatial cues as expected in a restaurant (examples include “behind” and “corner”) 

• Must possess dexterity to reach for, grasp and manipulate objects.

• Ability to regularly move around a restaurant or event space from guests areas to kitchen areas.

• Must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner. 

• May be required to occasionally work in outdoor weather conditions.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• $75K - $85K base salary + 20% bonus paid out monthly 

• Medical/dental/vision insurance coverage 

• Life insurance 

• Unlimited PTO 

• Short term disability insurance 

• Pet care benefits 

• Paid family leave 

• Cell phone stipend 

• Employee meals and discounts 

Please note that this job description is not meant to cover or include all the tasks, duties, and responsibilities the employee may be required to perform, and any assigned tasks, duties, and responsibilities are subject to change at the company’s discretion, with or without notice or contemporaneous update to this document. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities and sincerely-held religious beliefs to perform the essential functions of this position, to the extent required by and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law; contact Human Resources to request a reasonable accommodation.  Nothing in this job description modifies the at-will nature of employment.

Our client is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, ancestry, national origin, alienage or citizenship, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, or other protected status.