Director of Catering & Event Sales

Sodexo•San Jose, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Poppy & Claro is seeking a dynamic, revenue‑driven Director of Catering & Event Sales to lead all catering and event revenue for our growing hospitality brand. This role is responsible for building a thriving catering business, expanding market presence, and owning the full sales lifecycle — from prospecting and lead qualification to contracting and pre‑event planning. We’re looking for a strategic, relationship‑oriented sales leader who thrives on building partnerships, generating new business, and creating memorable guest experiences. This is a high‑visibility role with significant impact on the growth and long‑term success of Poppy & Claro. Success in this role is defined by strong revenue growth, a healthy and well‑developed pipeline, high conversion rates, and the expansion of recurring accounts. The Director of Catering & Event Sales works standard hours from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with the flexibility needed for client meetings, tastings, and event support. On‑site presence is required for key events, including evenings and weekends when necessary. Compensation includes a competitive base salary commensurate with experience, along with a commission structure tied directly to new business revenue. Commission is earned through proactive prospecting, conversion of inbound inquiries, and partnership‑driven referrals, with quarterly performance targets based on collected revenue

Requirements

Proven success in catering sales, event sales, or hospitality business development with a strong revenue‑generation track record
A proactive, hunter‑style sales approach with the ability to build new business and develop recurring accounts
Strong relationship‑building skills and comfort engaging with corporate clients, hotel partners, and community organizations
Expertise managing the full sales lifecycle, from prospecting to contracting to pre‑event planning
Experience using sales systems such as TripleSeat, Toast, or similar CRM/event platforms
A polished, client‑focused communication style and the ability to represent Poppy & Claro with professionalism and warmth
Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience - 3 years
Minimum Functional Experience - 3 years of experience in catering, food production, or food service management or a related field

Responsibilities

Own catering and event revenue performance, driving results against monthly, quarterly, and annual targets
Build a strong pipeline through outbound outreach, local partnerships, and proactive business development
Cultivate relationships with corporate offices, tenant partners, hotels, concierges, convention groups, and visitor bureaus
Convert inbound inquiries quickly and effectively, delivering proposals and responses within a 6‑business‑hour standard
Manage the full sales process — site tours, proposals, contracting, deposits, and pre‑event coordination
Partner closely with the General Manager and operations team to ensure seamless handoff from sales to execution