Catering Sales Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for driving beverage catering revenue from first inquiry through post-event follow-up. This role identifies new client opportunities, builds custom event proposals, closes contracts, and services recurring accounts while cultivating the venue, vendor, and industry partnerships that keep Snake Oil top of mind in the San Diego market. Beyond selling, the Catering Sales Manager owns the client relationship through execution — anticipating event details, communicating logistics clearly between client, venue, and internal teams, and often being present onsite to ensure the event matches the client's vision. Working as part of a larger sales team and closely with Operations, this role balances self-generated pipeline development with shared accountability for team bookings, accurate CRM reporting, and timely collection of event payments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Revenue & Sales Goals: Accountable for meeting or exceeding assigned monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets, and for reporting progress against those targets.

New Business Development: Generates new sales inquiries, fulfills incoming sales requests, and self-develops events to build and maintain a healthy pipeline.

Lead Management: Responds promptly to all incoming inquiries, follows up consistently, advances leads through each stage of the pipeline, and converts qualified opportunities into booked business.

Proposal Creation & Closing: Creates custom event proposals, manages client expectations, and closes event contracts.

Industry Relationship Building: Cultivates and expands Snake Oil's network of industry contacts, secures placement on key venue preferred lists, and develops lasting sales-generating industry partnerships.

Networking & Representation: Represents Snake Oil at key industry networking events to identify new opportunities and grow revenue.

Sales Tools & Collateral: Develops effective sales tools, proposals, and pitch decks as needed to support the sales effort.

Consulting Business Support: Assists in developing business in consulting services for restaurants, bars, and select product brands.

Cross-Functional Event Planning: Partners with the Sales Team, Sales leadership, Management, and Operations to plan events and execute projects.

Client Servicing & Event Execution: Ensures 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.

Event Communication & Profitability: Communicates all event needs to the Snake Oil team with recommendations that maximize event profitability, control costs, and maintain a high level of client satisfaction.

Day-of Readiness: Ensures 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.

Client Meetings & Site Visits: Conducts client meetings, venue walkthroughs, and site visits as needed to develop accurate proposals and identify event-specific beverage, staffing, equipment, and logistical requirements.

Staffing & Logistics Coordination: Communicates 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. Maintains accurate event programs, checklists, and event documentation, and coordinates with clients, outside vendors, venue partners, and Operations to ensure all event requirements are clearly communicated and execution teams are properly prepared.

Event Ownership: On projects where the Catering Sales Manager is the primary contact or sales lead, takes primary responsibility for the success or failure of the event from a customer service perspective.

Pipeline Reporting: Individually tracks sales and leads and maintains accurate, current company sales reporting in Tripleseat, including helping ensure overall Sales Team bookings and reporting stay up to date.

Accounts Receivable: Responsible for timely collection of all event deposits and payments on closed projects, and supports Sales and Management in collecting outstanding payments.

Sales Meetings & Strategy: Comes prepared with accurate information and updates for weekly sales meetings and meets regularly with supervisor and the SOCC management team to brainstorm new leads and channels of business.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Bachelor's degree.

Age Requirement: Must be at least 21 years of age or older by the start of employment.

Experience: Minimum 2 years of direct catering & event sales experience required; 3 or more years strongly preferred. Minimum 3 years of customer service experience required.

Sales Track Record: Demonstrated history of closing event & catering contracts and managing a quota-based sales pipeline.

Market Knowledge: San Diego market knowledge and existing event industry relationships strongly preferred.

Event Type Breadth: Multi-event-type sales experience (weddings, corporate, social, nonprofit) preferred.

Technical Literacy: Experience with CRM platforms and lead tracking required; Tripleseat experience is a plus. Proficiency with standard communication tools (Google Workspace or Microsoft Office).

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND COMPETENCIES

Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate client vision into clear logistics for venue partners and internal teams.

Foresight & Detail: Proven ability to anticipate important event details and communicate program needs proactively between client, venue, and Snake Oil.

Collaboration & Independence: Ability to work autonomously to develop business while contributing to the success of a larger sales team.

Organization: Strong organizational skills with disciplined CRM hygiene, accurate reporting, and diligent follow-through on deposits and receivables.

Composure Under Pressure: Ability to manage competing client priorities and perform calmly during live event execution.

Transportation: 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 AND AVAILABILITY

• 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.

COMPENSATION

$70,304 – $74,000 per year (dependent on experience and demonstrated sales performance).

Eligible for commission plan and bonus.

Benefits Include:

• 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

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Snake Oil Cocktail Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on business necessity, merit, and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable federal, California, or local law.

The Company complies with all applicable employment laws enforced by the California Civil Rights Department and the City of San Diego.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT

Snake Oil Cocktail Company provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances in accordance with applicable law. Applicants requiring accommodation during the application or selection process may contact Human Resources.

AT WILL EMPLOYMENT DISCLAIMER

Submission of an application does not create a contract of employment or guarantee of continued employment. Any employment relationship established will be at will and may be terminated by either the employee or the Company at any time with or without cause or notice consistent with applicable law.

AUTHORIZATION TO WORK

All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Proof of authorization will be required upon hire.

BACKGROUND CHECK AND PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

Where permitted by law and relevant to the role, offers of employment may be contingent upon successful completion of job related background checks conducted in compliance with the California Fair Chance Act.

TO ALL STAFFING AND RECRUITING AGENCIES

This job posting is intended solely for individuals seeking employment directly with the company.

Staffing agencies, recruiting firms, and third party representatives are not authorized to submit applications, resumes, or candidate information through this site or directly to company employees, hiring managers, or any company location. Any such submissions will be considered unsolicited.

The company does not accept or assume responsibility for fees, commissions, or other charges related to unsolicited resumes or applications. Submission of unsolicited candidate information does not establish an obligation or agreement of any kind.