Catering Sales Manager

Restaurant Associates; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking a Catering Sales Manager to drive the full sales journey—from prospecting and designing experiences to bringing events to life onsite—delivering Wolfgang Puck Catering’s signature standards. You will collaborate with culinary and operations teams, craft tailored proposals, and manage contracts, budgets, and timelines for high-profile museum and corporate events.

A Monday–Friday base with occasional weekend events, and uncapped earning potential through

Qualifications

• Experience in catering sales, hospitality, or event management with a track record of achieving sales goals.
• Proactive in developing new business and strengthening client relationships.
• Interest in food, beverage, and hospitality trends with high-quality service.
• Experience collaborating with chefs or culinary teams to develop event menus.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Grow catering revenue through prospecting, outreach, and client relationship management.
• Guide clients through the full event lifecycle—from first inquiry through post-event follow-up.
• Design tailored proposals, menus, and pricing in partnership with culinary leadership.
• Create contracts, proposals, and Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) with strong attention to detail.
• Coordinate with sales, culinary, and operations teams to ensure smooth execution.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and financial targets to support growth.
• Monitor costs while maintaining service excellence.
• Build and maintain a local client network including vendors and partners.
• Support onsite event execution as needed.
• Mentor and support team members to foster a collaborative environment.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards.

Skills

Catering sales

Hospitality

Event management

Client relationships

Excel

PowerPoint

Team coordination

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Salary: $65,000 - $70,000

Restaurant Associates

Position Title: Catering Sales Manager

Salary: $65,000 - $70,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Commission Plan (Upwards of $37,000+, Uncapped Earning Potential)

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry’s leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards- Best Places to Work, This is R/A !

Job Summary

At Wolfgang Puck Catering, we believe every event is an opportunity to create something unforgettable. We’re looking for a Catering Sales Manager who thrives at the intersection of relationship-building, creativity, and execution.

Competitive base salary of $65,000 to $70,000, with a target commission opportunity of $37,000 for consistently achieving monthly sales goals. Commissions are uncapped, giving high performers unlimited earning potential when they exceed expectations.

In this role, you’ll lead the full sales journey—from prospecting and designing experiences to bringing events to life onsite. Partnering closely with culinary and operations teams, you’ll help deliver exceptional corporate and social events that reflect Wolfgang Puck’s signature standards.

This position offers a primarily Monday–Friday schedule, with some flexibility for occasional weekend events.

What You’ll Do

• Grow catering revenue through thoughtful prospecting, outreach, and client relationship management
• Guide clients through the full event lifecycle—from first inquiry through post-event follow-up
• Design tailored proposals, menus, and pricing in partnership with culinary leadership
• Create contracts, proposals, and Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) with strong attention to detail
• Coordinate seamlessly with sales, culinary, and operations teams to ensure smooth execution
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and financial targets to support business growth
• Monitor food and labor costs while maintaining service excellence
• Build and maintain a strong local client network, including vendors and partners
• Support and oversee onsite event execution as needed
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment by mentoring and supporting team members
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards
• Track performance through reporting and assist with receivables
• Support special projects and new initiatives as the business evolves

What You Bring

• Experience in catering sales, hospitality, or event management with a track record of achieving sales goals
• A proactive approach to developing new business and strengthening existing client relationships
• Interest in food, beverage, and hospitality trends, with an appreciation for high-quality service
• Experience collaborating with chefs or culinary teams to develop event menus
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, event-driven environment with shifting priorities
• Experience coaching or supporting team members in a collaborative setting
• Familiarity with A/V setup for events is a plus
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and general business systems
• A client-focused mindset grounded in professionalism and integrity
• Hospitality or catering experience (around 3+ years is helpful, but not required if skills are transferable)

Qualifications and other terms apply as described in the job posting.

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Associates At Restaurant Associates Are Offered Many Fantastic Benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Assoca ciates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf