Senior Catering Sales Manager

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary + commission

Hybrid work

Medical & retirement benefits

Career development

Strong regional presence

Expense account

Sales support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Catering Sales Manager in the Nelspruit area. The role blends remote strategy with on-site client meetings and venue visits to drive revenue and build strong client relationships.

You will work with operations and culinary teams to tailor proposals, menus, and solutions that meet client needs and budgets, while leading negotiations and maintaining a high-performance sales pipeline.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of sales experience in catering, hospitality or events.
• Proven track record of meeting and exceeding sales targets.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong understanding of catering operations and event planning processes.
• Ability to develop and implement effective sales strategies.
• Proficiency with CRM software and sales management tools.
• Experience working in a hybrid model with remote and on-site interactions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sales plans to achieve revenue goals in Nelspruit and surrounding areas.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities through lead generation and market analysis.
• Build and maintain relationships with corporate clients, event planners, and individual customers.
• Conduct client meetings, presentations, and site visits remotely and in person.
• Collaborate with culinary and operations teams to create proposals and menus.
• Negotiate contracts and close agreements to maximize revenue.
• Stay informed about market trends and industry best practices.
• Provide market feedback to inform service development.
• Manage sales pipelines and report performance to senior management.

Skills

Sales experience (catering)

Exceeding targets

Negotiation

Communication

Presentation skills

Catering operations knowledge

CRM software

Hybrid-work experience

Client-centric approach

Willingness to travel

Tools

CRM software

Job description

About the Role Our client is a premier catering and hospitality services company, renowned for delivering exceptional culinary experiences and event solutions across Nelspruit and Mpumalanga. We are seeking a highly motivated and results-driven Senior Catering Sales Manager to lead our sales efforts. This hybrid role allows for strategic planning and client engagement from a remote setting, complemented by essential on-site presence for client meetings, venue inspections, and team leadership. You will be responsible for driving revenue growth, developing new business opportunities, and nurturing strong client relationships. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the catering and events market, exceptional sales acumen, and a proven ability to exceed targets. You will work closely with our operations and culinary teams to ensure seamless delivery of customized catering solutions. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for sales and a flair for building lasting partnerships, join us in elevating our catering services in the vibrant Nelspruit market.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sales plans to achieve company revenue goals for catering services in Nelspruit and surrounding areas.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities through lead generation, networking, and market analysis.
• Build and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with corporate clients, event planners, and individual customers.
• Conduct client meetings, presentations, and site visits, both remotely and in person, to understand needs and propose tailored solutions.
• Collaborate with the culinary and operations teams to develop compelling proposals and menus that meet client requirements and budget.
• Negotiate contracts and close agreements to maximize revenue and profitability.
• Stay informed about market trends, competitor activities, and industry best practices.
• Provide market feedback to internal teams to inform service development and improvements.
• Manage sales pipelines and report on sales performance to senior management.

Requirements

• A minimum of 6 years of experience in sales, preferably within the catering, hospitality, or event management industry.
• Proven track record of successfully meeting and exceeding sales targets.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong understanding of catering operations and event planning processes.
• Ability to develop and implement effective sales strategies.
• Proficiency in CRM software and sales management tools.
• Experience working in a hybrid model, balancing remote communication with on-site client interaction.
• A professional and confident demeanor with a client-centric approach.
• Willingness to travel within the Nelspruit region for client meetings and site visits.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary plus attractive commission structure and performance bonuses.
• Hybrid work arrangement providing flexibility and work-life balance.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
• Be part of a reputable company with a strong presence in the Nelspruit hospitality scene.
• Expense account for business-related travel and client entertainment.
• Access to a robust sales support system and marketing resources.