Catering Sales Manager

Emma’s Torch is a non-profit social enterprise that empowers refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking through culinary training, job placement support, and professional development. Through our paid, full-time culinary apprenticeship programs, students gain hands-on experience while working in our social venture businesses, including our cafes, catering operations, and CPG production.

We believe in celebrating the talent, resilience, and potential of our students and honoring our namesake, Emma Lazarus, whose words on the Statue of Liberty continue to inspire our mission.

Learn more: www.emmastorch.org 

The Catering Sales Manager drives catering sales, strengthens client relationships, and ensures excellent communication and coordination across teams. This role focuses on proactive business development—managing inbound inquiries while actively soliciting new catering clients and partnerships. 

Once events are confirmed, the Catering Sales Manager coordinates with the Events Coordinator to ensure a seamless operational handoff, including providing all client details, event requirements, and timelines. This ensures smooth execution, a high-quality client experience, and alignment with Emma’s Torch’s mission and hospitality standard. This structure allows the Catering Sales Manager to focus on business development while the Events Coordinator leads event execution and operational logistics.

This position is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, personable, and motivated by mission-driven work.

1. Proactive Sales & Client Development (60%) Acquisition & pre-booking relationship management

• Identify and pursue new catering sales opportunities across corporate, nonprofit, and private sectors.
• Conduct outreach to potential clients, including cold calls, emails, and networking within aligned industries.
• Manage inbound inquiries promptly and professionally, converting leads into confirmed bookings before handing off event details to the Events Coordinator.
• Draft proposals, negotiate contracts, and maintain clear communication through the booking process.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of repeat and prospective clients through CRM tracking and relationship management.
• Support the development of promotional and seasonal sales campaigns in collaboration with the marketing team.
• Ensure a smooth transition of confirmed events to the Events Coordinator by providing and maintaining complete and accurate event briefs and client details.

1. Client Handoff & Internal Coordination (25%) Post-booking support

• Serve as a secondary point of contact for clients post-booking, ensuring clear communication during the transition to Events Coordinator.
• Coordinate internally with the Events Coordinator to ensure all client expectations, event requirements, and timelines are clearly communicated.
• Collect client feedback after events and share insights with Events Coordinator to inform future operations and strengthen relationships.

1. Marketing & Sales Support (15%)

• Support the creation and distribution of catering materials, proposals, and seasonal menus.
• Assist with email campaigns, promotional efforts, and social media initiatives to drive catering bookings.
• Track metrics related to client engagement, conversion rates, and repeat business.

This job description is intended to convey essential information about the scope and requirements of the position. It is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities and may be updated to reflect organizational needs.

• 1–3 years of experience in catering sales, hospitality, or business development.
• Demonstrated success in proactive sales or client acquisition.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and familiarity with CRM or project management tools (e.g., Asana, TripleSeat).
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and comfortable with outreach and solicitation.
• Customer service orientation with a warm, professional demeanor.
• Minimum availability of 20–25 hours per week, with flexible scheduling.
• Commitment to Emma’s Torch’s mission and values.

• A collaborative, mission-driven work environment.
• Opportunity to lead and grow in a respected and impactful culinary nonprofit.
• Supportive team culture centered around values of dignity, empowerment, and inclusion.
• Access to professional development and training opportunities.

Emma’s Torch is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented communities—including refugees, immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities—to apply.