Catering Sales Associate

It's Our Pleasure Hospitality Group

It's Our Pleasure Hospitality Group LLC. has been in business for over 30 years in the hospitality / food and beverage industry. Currently operating 3 reception venues, 6 fine dining restaurants, and an off-premises catering business. Our goal is to continually provide the highest level of customer service in creating the perfect evening, from a dinner for two or a wedding for over 500 people and of course, everything in-between. We pride ourselves on sourcing the highest quality ingredients, chefs, event planners and service staff. This ensures we exceed all of our customers needs and expectations in delivering unforgettable memories.

Position Overview

The ideal candidate is a driven, results oriented sales professional with 25 years of event/catering experience and a proven track record of $1M+ in annual sales. They're a proactive self starter who excels at outbound prospecting, building relationships, and managing the full sales cycle from inquiry through flawless event execution. Highly organized and tech savvy (CRM and Microsoft Office), with excellent communication, negotiation, and customer service skills, they thrive in fast paced environments and are flexible to work evenings and weekends. A polished representative who enjoys networking, they consistently exceed client expectations and contribute to business growth.

Key Responsibilities

1. Sales and Business Development

- Respond promptly to inquiries and manage sales leads through the CRM.

- Conduct outbound calls and targeted email campaigns to generate new leads.

- Seek new business through networking, community engagement, bridal shows, and expos.

- Conduct site visits and menu tastings with prospective clients.

- Work toward sales goals and proactively upsell services, packages, and add-ons.

2. Client Management and Event Planning

- Understand client needs, guest counts, timelines, and budgets.

- Create detailed, customized proposals and accurate pricing.

- Negotiate contracts, process deposits/payments, and ensure all paperwork is complete.

- Maintain regular communication with clients from booking through post event follow up to ensure satisfaction and encourage referrals.

3. Event Execution and Coordination

- Create and distribute Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) and event run sheets; ensure all details are documented.

- Coordinate handoffs and serve as the primary liaison between clients and the operations/event teams.

- Be available as needed during events to support onsite coordination and address client needs.

- Follow up with clients before and after events for final confirmations and feedback.

4. Administrative and Team Support

- Maintain accurate sales records, client interactions, and pipeline activity in CRM software.

- Prepare regular sales reports and updates for management.

- Collaborate with marketing on promotions, social content, and lead generation initiatives.

- Provide administrative support to the broader team as required.

Qualifications & Skills

- 25 years of experience in catering sales, event planning, or hospitality preferred.

- Proven track record of achieving $1M+ in annual sales.

- Strong sales, negotiation, and contract management skills.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong customer service orientation.

- Highly organized with strong time management skills and the ability to manage multiple clients/events simultaneously.

- Familiarity with CRM, catering, or event sales software and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

- Ability to work well under pressure in a fast paced environment.

- Professional demeanor and comfort representing the company at external events and networking functions.

- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required by events (approx. 50 hours/week).

Why Join Us

- Competitive base salary plus commission structure.

- Clear opportunities for growth and advancement within a rapidly expanding company.

- A dynamic, supportive, team oriented environment where your results directly impact company success.

IOP Hospitality is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

It's Our Pleasure Hospitality Group