Catering Sales Manager

Snake Oil Cocktail Company • San Diego, CA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

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.

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.
• Experience with CRM platforms and lead tracking required.
• Proficiency with standard communication tools (Google Workspace or Microsoft Office).
• 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.
• All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• San Diego market knowledge and existing event industry relationships strongly preferred.
• Multi-event-type sales experience (weddings, corporate, social, nonprofit) preferred.
• Tripleseat experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for meeting or exceeding assigned monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets, and for reporting progress against those targets.
• Generates new sales inquiries, fulfills incoming sales requests, and self-develops events to build and maintain a healthy pipeline.
• Responds promptly to all incoming inquiries, follows up consistently, advances leads through each stage of the pipeline, and converts qualified opportunities into booked business.
• Creates custom event proposals, manages client expectations, and closes event contracts.
• Cultivates and expands Snake Oil’s network of industry contacts, secures placement on key venue preferred lists, and develops lasting sales-generating industry partnerships.
• Represents Snake Oil at key industry networking events to identify new opportunities and grow revenue.
• Develops effective sales tools, proposals, and pitch decks as needed to support the sales effort.
• Assists in developing business in consulting services for restaurants, bars, and select product brands.
• Partners with the Sales Team, Sales leadership, Management, and Operations to plan events and execute projects.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Conducts client meetings, venue walkthroughs, and site visits as needed to develop accurate proposals and identify event-specific beverage, staffing, equipment, and logistical requirements.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Responsible for timely collection of all event deposits and payments on closed projects, and supports Sales and Management in collecting outstanding payments.
• 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.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level