Catering & Event Sales Manager

Workstream; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401K

Weekly Pay

Paid Time Off

Bonus Days Off

Flexible Days Off

Leadership Book Club

Fast Growth

Expert Coaches

Holiday Dinner Boxes

Dining Allowance

Restaurant Discount

Drop-Off Discount

Company Events

EOS Framework

Job summary

Wooden Paddle in Lemont, IL, is hiring a Catering & Event Sales Manager to drive front-line sales, build client relationships, and close events from inquiry to payment.

You’ll manage calendars, keep the CRM up-to-date, and hand off details to operations with zero loose ends. The role requires 2+ years in catering or venues, a hospitality degree, and willingness to work evenings and weekends.

Base pay $50k-$55k plus commission; total comp likely $80k-$90k annually; full-time, on-site.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in catering, venues, or private dining sales.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or Event Management.
• Excellent written and spoken communication across channels.
• Strong calendar discipline and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Lighting-Fast client communication from inquiry to payment.
• Beyond-the-Inbox business development and referrals.
• Calendar management to keep booked events full.
• CRM kept up-to-date with zero loose ends for ops handoffs.
• Flawless handoffs to operations with clear event details.

Skills

Sales

Client communication

Organization

CRM management

Follow-through

Detail-oriented

Tech-savvy

Calendar management

Education

Hospitality management degree

Event management degree

Tools

Pipedrive

Toast

Total Party Planner

Job description

IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?

• Do you thrive on the thrill of sales, and the challenge of rolling up your sleeves to get things booked?
• Are you the kind of person who loves to check things off your list — and can’t rest until all open loops are closed?
• Are you a bit fanatical about the details, making sure things are buttoned-up and done just right?
• Do you take pride in keeping things meticulously organized and up-to‑date?
• Are you the kind of person that people just like — warm, approachable, and easy to talk to?
• Are you the type of person that takes your career seriously, but doesn't take yourself too seriously?

Yes?! Then YOU should join our team!

WHY WORK HERE?:

Here are some of the perks!

• PPO Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance - PPO plans, 50% company-paid
• 401K Retirement Plan - With 3% company match
• Weekly Pay – In your bank, once a week, like clockwork
• Paid Time Off - 1 week of paid time off
• Bonus Days Off – Never work on Thanksgiving or Christmas - we’re closed!
• Flexible Days Off – Typically scheduled back-to-back, with the ability to move them around
• Monthly Leadership Book Club – Free book, free snacks, free drinks, and big ideas
• Fast Growth – We’re scaling fast and we promote from within!
• Access to Expert Coaches – If you’re hungry to grow, we’ve got the pros
• Free Holiday Dinner Boxes – So you don’t have to cook on the Thanksgiving or Christmas!
• $150 Monthly Dining Allowance – free food & drinks, that never expires
• 20% Restaurant Discount – 20% off anytime, for you and your whole table
• 20% Drop-Off Discount – 20% off anytime, for any size party
• State of the Company Events – Fun team hangs with big updates and snacks galore
• We Run on EOS – Clear roles, real accountability, & we’re always leveling up

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?:

RESPONSIBILITIES

As our Catering & Event Sales Manager, you'll be on the front lines of all day-to-day sales. These are the results you'll be hired to accomplish:

» ① Lighting-Fast Client Communication

When a client reaches out, you’re all over it, bb! You're quick to respond and easy to connect with. From first contact to final payment, clients always hear from you right away.

» ② Beyond-the-Inbox Business Development

You don't just wait for business to come to you — you go out and grow it! You’ll spend part of your week reaching out to past and potential clients, connecting with vendors who can refer us, and getting out in the community to build real-world relationships that turn into real business.

» ③ A Calendar Full of Closed Deals

Keep our calendars absolutely brimming with booked business! You’ll guide clients through the full sales process with confidence and convert interest into income, over and over again. No deals left open, no dates left empty.

» ④ Organized & Up-to-Date CRM

You keep our CRM up-to-date, all day, every day. Every detail is in there, logged in real-time. No digging, no wondering — just a clear view of what’s happening, and what’s next.

» ⑤ Flawless Handoffs to Operations

You're the glue, boo boo! You hand things off with zero loose ends — contract signed, payments made, details organized for event day. Ops gets everything they need to execute the event, and it's crystal-freaking-clear.

*As a disclaimer*: This is a new-ish position, in a rapidly growing company, in an always-changing industry. That means that this position and its responsibilities will continue to evolve. So, if you're change-adverse, this job ain't it.

That being said - if you're good with change, and are willing to try new things - you'll love this job, and it'll love you right back.

PAY

We pay a base wage of $50,000 - $55,000, depending on experience, plus a performance-based commission for booked events — no caps, no mystery math. Total compensation for this position will likely fall between $80000.00 - $90000.00 per year.

WORK SCHEDULE

This position is full-time, with a semi-set schedule designed around the demands of our sales volume. This position will work a mix of days and nights, weekdays and weekends — based on sales activity, special events, and client meetings. Our Catering & Event Sales Manager will work 5 days, and typically 45-ish hours per week.

WILL YOU FIT IN HERE?

Our team has been built - brick by brick - on shared core values. And no, they’re not just bullsh*t words slapped on a wall - they’re who we are - and they’re non-negotiables for working here. You’ll feel super *comfy* and right at home if these words describe you:

» You Come With Batteries Included

You’re a high-energy self-starter who jumps into action, and doesn’t need hand-holding to get things done.

» You’re Scrappy

You’re a resourceful problem solver who makes things happen; if there’s no door, you get in through a window.

» You Take Your Work Seriously

You take pride in your work, big and small, and you have a natural reflex to do things the right way.

» But, You Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

You’re a positive team player who’s quick to laugh at your own mistakes, open to feedback, and humble about your wins.

And if these words don’t describe you? You’ll be decidedly uncomfy here. So, fair warning - If you’re a cranky a** problem-bringer who’s cool being super-mid at your job and needs constant hand holding… may we suggest… working literally anywhere else?

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Here are some of our must-haves & would-like-to-haves:

• 2+ years of professional experience — preferably selling Catering, Venues, or Private Dining
• Experience in an equivalent role, strongly preferred
• A Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Event Management, or similar, a major plus!
• Very comfortable communicating over email, phone, and face-to-face
• Naturally wired to follow through and close open loops
• Extremely detail-oriented — you triple-check your calendar and spell names right the *first* time
• Tech-savvy and confident navigating new software systems
• Must currently have have a reliable personal computer suitable for professional sales work (for daily use of cloud-based CRM software, video calls, etc.)
• Must be at least 21 years old
• Must have open availability - including nights, weekends, and holidays
• Comfortable working about 45-ish hours per week, with regular nights and weekends
• Must have a valid driver's license & sole access to a personal vehicle
• Familiarity with Pipedrive, Toast, & Total Party Planner - a plus!

Wooden Paddle is 13-years-young restaurant & catering company, started in 2013.
Our purpose, and the reason we exist, is to be 'The Place You Want to Be'.
Our niche, and the thing we work really freaking hard to do better than anyone else, is creating Super Fun Dining Experiences.
Our focus is shareable, wood-fired comfort foods, artsy cocktails, & good-time energy .
As a team, we're scrappy go-getters who don't take ourselves too seriously - but we take our food, drinks, and hospitality *extremely* seriously.
And we're all on a mission to hit 10 Million Good-Time Guest Experiences by 2033! Come for the pizza, stay for the party bb!