Culinary Arts & Events Sales Manager

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Culinary Arts & Events Sales Manager to lead the sales and execution of diverse events. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on sales expertise, ensuring exceptional client experiences. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in catering and event sales, with a proven track record in driving revenue and managing high-performing teams. Join a creative and collaborative environment that values inclusivity and professional growth, while making a significant impact on memorable events that reflect culinary excellence.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

403(b) Retirement Plan

Professional Development Opportunities

Complimentary Concert Tickets

Discounts in Café & Gift Shop

Employee Assistance Program

Life Insurance

Pet Insurance

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years in catering or event sales with proven revenue growth.
• Strong leadership and communication skills essential for team management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Catering and Event Sales team to exceed sales goals.
• Manage vendor relationships and ensure seamless event execution.

Skills

Leadership

Sales Expertise

Client Engagement

Negotiation

Budget Management

Multitasking

Communication

Relationship Building

Education

3+ years in catering or event sales

Hospitality Management

Tools

CRM Software

Event Management Software

Job description

Join the team at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and learn why we were awarded one of the Top 100 Best and Brightest companies to work for in West Michigan in 2024! Explore a variety of job offerings, each connected by our mission to promote the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts.

In addition to carrying out our mission, our employees enjoy a culture of creativity, collaboration, and learning. We believe that promoting respect, empathy, and a willingness to understand others is essential to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We are committed to fostering a supportive and fulfilling work environment for our employees. Our comprehensive employee benefits package reflects our commitment, encompassing a variety of offerings to enhance the well-being and professional growth of our staff members.

A snapshot of our benefits includes:

• Medical Insurance with Health Savings Account*
• Vision Insurance*
• Employer paid short-term and long-term disability insurance*
• Life Insurance*
• Accident/Critical Care Insurance*
• Pet Insurance*
• Employee Assistance Program**
• Paid Time Off*
• Holiday Pay**
• Volunteer opportunities**
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with company match**
• Professional Development opportunities**
• Specialized trainings and classes**
• Complimentary concert tickets**
• Discounts in the James & Shirley Balk Café & DeVos – Keeler Gift Shop**

*-Available to full-time staff
**-Available to full and part time staff

Follow the steps below to apply for a position

1.

Review available job openings from the list below and make your selection.

2.

Submit cover letter and a resumé using the online application.

3.

We will be in touch as we review resumés. Please refrain from phone calls, as these will not be returned due to volume of calls we receive on a daily basis.

Position: Culinary Arts & Events Sales Manager

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Job Id: 546

# of Openings: 1

Department: Culinary Arts & Events Administration

Supervisor: Director of Culinary Arts & Events

Position Summary: The Culinary Arts and Events Sales Manager is responsible for spearheading the sales and execution of a diverse range of events, including weddings, social gatherings, and corporate functions, while ensuring a seamless and memorable client experience. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on sales expertise, oversight of vendor relationships, guiding a high-performing team, and driving revenue growth. The manager ensures we deliver exceptional events that reflect on the organization’s culinary and event service excellence.

Essential Functions

• Lead, mentor, and train the Catering and Event Sales team to consistently achieve and surpass sales goals.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to drive sales growth in weddings, social events, and corporate functions.
• Proactively identify and engage new corporate clients to expand the client base and establish long-term partnerships.
• Provide ongoing training in client engagement, upselling, negotiation, and closing techniques to elevate team performance.
• Cultivate strong cross-departmental relationships (culinary, operations, and service teams) to ensure seamless event execution.
• Manage relationships with external vendors (e.g., entertainment, rentals, florals) to maintain high-quality service and smooth coordination.
• Serve as the primary liaison for high-value or complex events, ensuring a flawless experience from initial inquiry through event completion.
• Oversee all aspects of the event sales process, including proposal creation, contract management, timelines, and follow-up communication.
• Manage departmental budgets with a focus on profitability, cost control, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with marketing to develop and implement promotional campaigns, sales packages, and lead generation strategies.
• Monitor sales performance, market trends, and client feedback to identify growth opportunities and optimize sales strategies.
• Represent the organization at trade shows, networking events, and industry functions to increase brand visibility and generate new business leads.

Education and / or Qualifications preferred:

• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in catering, event sales, or hospitality management, with a proven track record of driving revenue and delivering exceptional client experiences.
• Skills/Knowledge/Licenses:
  • Strong leadership abilities with a proven track record of training, mentoring, and managing high-performing sales teams.
  • Demonstrated success in increasing event revenue and securing high-value contracts.
  • Proven experience in budget management and driving profitable outcomes.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills across diverse client and team interactions.
  • Highly organized with the ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
  • Proficiency with CRM and/or event management software preferred.
  • Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by event schedules.

Organizational Expectations

• Embrace Meijer Gardens’ mission to promote the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts.
• Embrace the organization’s non-profit status and commitment to serving and treating the public with dignity and working with a broad and diverse group of employees, volunteers, members, and guests in a respectful and professional manner.

Working Conditions: Basic mobility is expected in offices, grounds, and exhibition areas. Ability to observe details at close range and communicate information accurately with others. Engage in occasional object manipulation with or without assistance, and efficiently navigate the workspace to access essential resources. Manage occasional lifting tasks, and ability to handle objects weighing up to 20 pounds with ease and regularity. Regularly operates in outdoor and challenging weather conditions, including exposure to temperatures exceeding 100°F and dropping below 0°F, rain, high humidity, snow, and direct sunlight. This encompasses both outdoor settings and greenhouse environments. May entail exposure to various workplace hazards such as hazardous materials, loud noise, and extreme heat/cold.

As part of our onboarding process, all new hires are required to complete our background check.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.