Catering Sales & Events Manager at Crave Culinaire

Catering Sales & Events Manager Crave Culinaire Catering & Events | Bonita Springs, FL Compensation: Starting at $60,000 annually, based on experience Schedule: Full-Time | Monday–Friday, generally 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, with periodic evenings, weekends, and holidays based on event schedules and business demands Work Location: In Person | Bonita Springs, FL Join the Crave Team Crave Culinaire is Southwest Florida's premier full-service catering and events company, specializing in elevated culinary experiences, exceptional events, and unforgettable hospitality. As part of Crave Companies, which includes Crave Event Staffing, Virtual Venue SWFL, and Crave Management Group, we provide our clients with a comprehensive approach to hospitality, catering, staffing, event production, and venue management. We're growing, and we're looking for an experienced Catering Sales & Events Manager who is ready to grow with us. This is an exciting opportunity for a hospitality professional who loves people, understands the business of events, enjoys the excitement of closing a great sale, and takes pride in turning a client's vision into an unforgettable experience. If you have professional experience in catering, hotel or banquet sales, hospitality sales, or event sales and are looking for a position where your ideas, relationships, and results truly matter, we want to meet you. The Opportunity As our Catering Sales & Events Manager, you will play an important role in the continued growth of Crave Culinaire. You will manage client relationships from the initial inquiry through the successful completion of each event, learning what matters most to the client, developing creative proposals and event experiences, closing business, and ensuring every detail is communicated effectively to our team. You will work closely with our culinary, operations, staffing, and administrative teams to transform a client's vision into an exceptional Crave experience. The ideal candidate is equal parts relationship builder, sales professional, hospitality expert, and event strategist. Sales & Client Relationships Respond to, qualify, and actively manage incoming catering and event inquiries Develop new business while cultivating relationships with existing and repeat clients Lead client consultations to understand each event's vision, priorities, budget, and expectations Develop creative, customized menus, proposals, and event experiences Confidently present proposals, overcome objections, follow up with prospective clients, and convert qualified opportunities into confirmed events Identify opportunities to increase event revenue through menu enhancements, beverage service, rentals, staffing, upgrades, and additional services Prepare proposals and contracts and negotiate event details within established company guidelines Build and maintain strong relationships with venues, event planners, vendors, corporate clients, community partners, and industry professionals Participate in networking, business development, marketing, and brand-building initiatives Represent Crave Culinaire with professionalism, enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for hospitality Event Planning & Execution Guide clients through the entire event process, from initial inquiry through event completion Coordinate catering events of varying sizes, styles, and levels of complexity Prepare and maintain accurate BEOs, timelines, event details, proposals, and client communications Collaborate closely with culinary, operations, staffing, rentals, vendors, and administrative teams Ensure every department has complete and accurate information needed to successfully execute each event Assist with billing, invoicing, deposits, payment schedules, and event-related financial processes Participate in site visits, tastings, planning meetings, and event walkthroughs Provide on-site event support and client service when needed Conduct post-event follow-up and continue developing relationships that generate repeat and referral business Leadership & Team Development We believe great events begin with great teamwork. This position will provide leadership and support to our administrative and event teams while helping create an organized, collaborative, accountable, and positive work environment. Foster a professional, collaborative, and high-energy team culture Provide coaching, training, and support to administrative and event team members Train team members on menu development, proposals, signage, client communication, BEOs, and established event processes Lead structured team meetings to communicate priorities, upcoming events, client expectations, and operational updates Assist with hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance feedback Help develop and improve systems and processes that increase efficiency, strengthen communication, and enhance the client experience Lead by example and help reinforce Crave's standards of hospitality and professionalism Who You Are You are a hospitality professional who understands that exceptional service and strong business results go hand in hand. You're comfortable sitting across the table from a client, discovering what matters most to them, and turning their vision into a compelling event experience. You're organized enough to manage the details, confident enough to close the sale, creative enough to bring new ideas to the table, and adaptable enough to handle the unexpected moments that inevitably come with live events. You understand that great sales are built on relationships—and that delivering an exceptional event is one of the best ways to earn the next one. Most importantly, you enjoy what you do. Qualifications & Experience Professional experience in catering, hotel/banquet event sales, hospitality sales, event management, or a closely related field is required 2+ years of relevant professional experience preferred Demonstrated experience managing the sales process from inquiry through proposal, contract, and event execution Strong understanding of catering and/or banquet operations Off-premise catering experience is highly preferred Proven ability to develop strong client relationships and generate repeat and referral business Strong sales instincts with the confidence to ask for and close the sale Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills Exceptional organization and attention to detail Ability to successfully manage multiple clients, events, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven hospitality environment Professional appearance and demeanor Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook Experience with catering, event management, CRM, or sales software is preferred; Tripleseat experience is a plus Canva experience is preferred Ability to work independently while being an enthusiastic and collaborative team player Strong work ethic, positive attitude, and a great sense of humor Schedule & Availability This is a full-time, in-person professional position based in Bonita Springs, Florida. The typical schedule is Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; however, hospitality doesn't always happen between 9 and 5. Periodic evenings, weekends, and holidays will be required based on client meetings, tastings, event schedules, and business demands. Flexibility is particularly important during Southwest Florida's peak event season. Compensation & Benefits Starting salary: $60,000 annually, based on experience Benefits include: Paid time off Paid training Professional development and advancement opportunities Exposure to a diverse portfolio of weddings, corporate events, galas, private celebrations, and luxury events The opportunity to build relationships throughout Southwest Florida's hospitality and events community The opportunity to grow alongside a passionate team within an expanding hospitality and events company Why Crave? At Crave, we don't simply cater events, we create experiences. Every wedding, corporate gathering, private celebration, gala, and special event is an opportunity to bring people together through exceptional food, thoughtful service, creativity, and unforgettable hospitality. You'll have the opportunity to work with an exciting variety of clients, venues, and events while helping shape the continued growth of a company committed to redefining the catering experience in Southwest Florida. We're looking for someone who doesn't simply want their next job. We're looking for someone who wants an opportunity to build relationships, grow business, create incredible events, and grow with us. If you are energized by people, passionate about events, motivated by sales, and excited by the opportunity to make an impact, we'd love to meet you. Come Grow With Crave! Location: Bonita Springs, FL 34135 Position: Full-Time | In Person Compensation: Starting at $60,000 annually, based on experience Pay: $60,000.00 per year Benefits: Paid time off Shift: 10 hour shift 12 hour shift 8 hour shift Day shift Evening shift Morning shift Night shift Shift availability: Day Shift (Required) Night Shift (Preferred) Ability to Commute: Bonita Springs, FL 34135 (Required) Ability to Relocate: Bonita Springs, FL 34135: Relocate before starting work (Required) Work Location: In person #J-18808-Ljbffr Crave Culinaire