Catering & Event Sales Coordinator

La Cocina•San Francisco, CA

4d•$71,000 - $80,000

About The Position

AT LA COCINA, everything we do is done with hospitality for our community and in service of opportunity and inclusivity. Our work is to transform the economic conditions that have put up barriers for women, working-class people, immigrants, and people of color in the food industry through providing affordable kitchen spaces, training, resources, and community to talented entrepreneurs so they can build thriving businesses. We center entrepreneurs in everything that we do, including making working directly with entrepreneurs a requirement for all employees at the organization. We seek passionate, mission-driven individuals who share our passion for the transformative power of food to change lives and reshape current social and political structures. Weâre able to achieve our goals because of the energy you bring and share with others. You can learn more about the organization at www.lacocinasf.org. JOB SUMMARY | Support La Cocina by generating revenue for and contributing to the general well being of the organization, and to support the entrepreneurs by brokering access to market opportunities, coordinating catering events, and delivering hands-on coaching and technical assistance.

Requirements

Take initiative in annual planning, strategy, and execution. Contribute to fostering a culture of feedback that supports growth, success, and the team's strength.
Drive revenue through event and partner initiatives while managing P&L and business strategy.
Deliver exceptional service by understanding and meeting client needs through active listening and problem-solving.
Relate to and support entrepreneurs by understanding the challenges and rewards of small business ownership.
Stay informed about industry trends and explore diverse flavors, actively participating in menu development. Eager to explore diverse flavors and ingredients with an open mind. A willingness to taste and evaluate any dish to enhance menu development and overall product quality.
Communicate complex concepts clearly and adapt teaching methods to different learning styles to engage others and foster an inclusive learning environment.
Use technology like Salesforce for reporting activities. Your attention to detail helps us tell our story, raise funds, and showcase our impact.
Advocate for racial and gender equity in business ownership, particularly in low-income communities.
Establish positive and hospitable relationships with employees, entrepreneurs, food industry leaders, and the public.
Implement strategy and adapt to changes in a dynamic environment.
Participate thoughtfully in community events and initiatives.
Ability to frequently move about an event space, transport materials and equipment, and lift and carry up to 25 pounds for event-related tasks. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Nice To Haves

Being fluent in Spanish and English enhances communication in this role.

Responsibilities

Achieve or exceed quarterly sales goals for catering, events, venue rental, and bar services.
Implement strategic and creative tactics to drive revenue growth, cultivate customers, and increase brand visibility, boosting lead-to-sale conversion by 5%.
Increase profitability and customer satisfaction by tailoring, cross-promoting, and upselling service and product offerings.
Lead the planning and execution of custom catering events.
Collaborate with the program team and the access to sales team to manage custom catering and maintain communication about events and team involvement.
Oversee all aspects of F&B logistics and event production, including timelines, day-of execution, contracts, and coordination with vendors for rentals, staffing, and permits.
Respond to new leads within two business days and maintain ongoing communication throughout the proposal and booking process.
Manage accurate and timely processing of contracts, invoices, and caterer payments.
Monitor quarterly sales performance and industry trends to inform strategies.
Collaborate on the development and delivery of catering-based curriculum to the entrepreneurs.
Provide technical assistance and event support to La Cocina entrepreneurs, including catering training, service operations guidance, menu development, and pricing recommendations.
Forge and sustain client relationships by implementing outreach and retention strategies.
Maintain clear, professional communication with clients and caterers, ensuring exceptional service that meets the needs of both.
Maintain the partner and customer database in Salesforce for targeted communication and engagement.
Respond to client feedback to improve service and the customer experience, supporting caterer performance.
Collaborate with the access to sales and program teams to ensure entrepreneur readiness and smooth event execution.
Build and sustain relationships with event service providers to enhance our market competitiveness and service offerings.
Dedicate 5% of your time (about 100 hours annually) to supporting La Cocina participants through technical assistance, engagement at business events, and assistance during key events.
Additional duties may be assigned, including supporting the sales team and participating in organization-wide initiatives.