Catering Sales Manager

Compass Group USA; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Personal Leave

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Job summary

Wolfgang Puck Catering, a member of Compass Group USA, is seeking a Catering Sales Manager who thrives at the intersection of relationship-building, creativity, and execution. Lead full sales journey from prospecting to onsite event delivery, partnering with culinary and operations teams to deliver corporate and social events that reflect Wolfgang Puck's signature standards.

Competitive base salary of $65,000 to $70,000, with the opportunity to earn up to $37K in commission when consistently

Qualifications

• Experience in catering sales, hospitality, or event management with a track record of achieving sales goals.
• 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).

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

A/V setup knowledge

Client relationships

Proactive business development

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Hospitality mindset

Event planning coordination

Excel and PowerPoint

Education

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

General business systems

Job description

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Other Forms of Compensation:Commission Plan

Wolfgang Puck Catering is committed to recruiting individuals who express an interest in and passion for hospitality-driven experiences; who come from diverse backgrounds, are open-minded and curious about our clients and guests; and, most of all, who possess a welcoming smile and spirit. Our ultimate goal is to develop mentoring and career building opportunities through a talent pipeline that allows us to promote from within.

"The most important thing in life, whatever you do, has to be passion." Wolfgang Puck

Success on our team starts with our culture:

• We have Wolfgang’s PASSION for our business, our product, and our people / guests / clients.
• A FLEXIBLE MINDSET is key; we are strategic business partners who wear multiple hats.
• Our services require a CONCIERGE mentality, a bias to action with humble hospitality.
• We are out-of-the-box PROBLEM SOLVERS, who look around corners so our clients and guests don’t have to.
• We curate company and partner resources to bring our client’s vision to life. We seek to cultivate the next generation of talent, purveyors and partnerships.
• We bring an entrepreneurial approach to deliver results for our clients (you might call this scrappy).
• Collaboration and openness to innovative business tools, new ways of thinking and ability to partner across departments are essential to create optimal business solutions.

“I can have the best food, but if we don’t have good people, it won’t get you very far.”

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 the opportunity to earn up to $37K in commission when consistently meeting monthly sales goals.

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)

Wolfgang Puck Catering is a member of Compass Group USA

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.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Associates at Wolfgang Puck Catering are offered many fantastic benefits.

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

Wolfgang Puck Catering maintains a drugfree workplace.

Associates 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, the paid time off benefits information is available.