Events and Catering Manager Lafayette, IN

Kaizen Lab Inc.; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaizen Lab Inc. in Lafayette, IN seeks a dynamic Special Event Planning Manager to lead private dining, corporate meetings, and off-site catering.

This hybrid sales and operations role blends client relations with kitchen and service coordination to deliver flawless high-end events. You will manage space sales, design floor plans, supervise event day execution, develop off-site catering, create detailed Banquet Event Orders, and help recruit and train banquet staff while tracking profitability

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of dedicated event sales or catering management experience.
• Proficiency with restaurant event management platforms (such as Tripleseat), reservation systems, and MS Office.
• Valid food safety certification (e.g., ServSafe Manager) and local alcohol server training.
• Ability to stand, walk, and coordinate logistics for 8+ hour shifts and lift up to 40 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Private Event Space Sales & Management: Inbound lead conversion, floor plan layouts, on-site supervision.
• Catering Business Expansion: Outbound business development for off-site catering services.
• Culinary & Team Collaboration: BEO creation and staffing/training support.
• Financial & Administrative Duties: Profitability reporting and CRM management.

Skills

Inbound Lead Conversion

Floor Plan Layouts

On-Site Supervision

Outbound Business Development

BEO Creation

Staffing & Training

Profitability Reporting

CRM Management

Tools

Tripleseat

Reservation Systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Program Overview

We are seeking a dynamic, sales-driven Special Event Planning Manager to maximize revenue for our highly desirable private event room and aggressively scale our growing off‑site catering operations. This hybrid sales and operations role serves as the primary liaison between clients, the kitchen, and service staff to ensure the flawless execution of all high‑end private dinners, corporate meetings, and off‑site catered experiences.

Core Responsibilities

1. Private Event Space Sales & Management

• Inbound Lead Conversion: Convert inquiries for our premier private dining room into booked events through swift communication, professional site tours, and customized tastings.
• Floor Plan Layouts: Design custom table arrangements, seating charts, and audio‑visual setups tailored to corporate presentations, milestone parties, and upscale dinners.
• On‑Site Supervision: Direct the operational flow on the day of the event, coordinating exact timing with the kitchen and floor staff to maintain strict service standards.

2. Catering Business Expansion

• Outbound Business Development: Actively pitch off‑site catering services to local corporations, wedding venues, planners, and community organizations to build a recurring pipeline.

3. Culinary & Team Collaboration

• BEO Creation: Author highly detailed Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) and distribute them to the kitchen and service teams during mandatory weekly operational meetings.
• Staffing & Training: Assist in hiring, scheduling, and training dedicated banquet servers, bartenders, and off‑site catering staff.

4. Financial & Administrative Duties

• Profitability Reporting: Analyze the food, beverage, and labor cost margins for every event to guarantee maximum profitability.
• CRM Management: Maintain an organized client database to send post‑event surveys and systematically follow up for annual corporate re‑bookings.

Recommended Qualifications

• Professional Experience: 3–5 years of dedicated event sales or catering management experience, ideally within a high-volume restaurant environment.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with restaurant event management platforms (such as Tripleseat), reservation systems, and Microsoft Office.
• Industry Certifications: Possession of a valid food safety certification (like ServSafe Manager) and local alcohol server training credentials.
• Physical Capability: Ability to stand, walk, and coordinate logistics for 8+ hour shifts, and lift event equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.