Client Relationship Manager

Description

Description

The Catering Client Relationship Manager is responsible for building, maintaining, and growing relationships with existing and prospective catering clients. This position is focused on generating new business, increasing repeat sales, and delivering exceptional customer service while working closely with the catering operations team to ensure flawless execution.

This is a full-time salaried position with performance-based bonus opportunities.

Schedule

• Full-Time
• Monday–Friday
• 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Expected to answer only minimal phone calls emails outside normal business hours when necessary to ensure excellent customer service or support active events.
• Weekends flexible with client needs or special events

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Business Development

• Develop new catering business through cold calling, networking, referrals, and community outreach.
• Build long-term relationships with local businesses, schools, churches, hospitals, event venues, and organizations.
• Schedule client visits and presentations.
• Identify opportunities for recurring catering accounts.
• Ask every satisfied client for referrals.
• Maintain an active pipeline of prospective customers.
• Follow up on catering inquiries via phone, email, and online leads in a timely and professional manner
• Guide clients through menu selection, event planning, and service options
• Prepare and send catering proposals, contracts, and invoices
• Collect deposits and ensure timely payment processing
• Take and confirm catering orders, including menus, quantities, timing, delivery/service needs, and pricing
• Accurately input orders and client details into the catering/order management system
• Ensure all orders meet company standards, lead times, and operational requirements
• Identify opportunities for upselling, add-ons, and enhancements

Client Relationship Management (Primary Focus)

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned and repeat catering clients
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships to drive repeat business
• Proactively follow up on inquiries, quotes, past events, and warm leads
• Maintain an active pipeline of current and returning clients
• Follow up post-event to gather feedback, strengthen relationships, and secure future bookings
• Conduct periodic client check-ins.
• Resolve customer concerns professionally and quickly.
• Ensure every client receives exceptional service from inquiry through event completion.
• Generate repeat business through relationship building.
• Support tastings, menu consultations, and client meetings as needed

Sales Support & Business Growth

• Convert inbound leads into confirmed catering orders
• Increase average order value through upselling
• Proactively follow up with past clients, referrals, and warm leads to drive repeat and incremental business
• Contribute to team-based sales goals and revenue targets
• Collaborate with team members to support account growth opportunities

Marketing & Community Engagement

• Attend networking events, chamber meetings, and community functions
• Represent the company professionally in the community
• Assist with promotional campaigns and seasonal catering initiatives
• Collaborate with the marketing team on lead generation opportunities

Event Coordination & Execution Support

• Coordinate event logistics including delivery schedules, staffing needs, and execution timelines
• Communicate order details clearly with culinary, operations, and delivery teams
• Ensure all event details are accurate and aligned across departments
• Respond to last-minute changes or challenges with urgency and professionalism
• Support event execution as needed to ensure client satisfaction and brand standards

Administrative & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of client interactions, sales activity, and order details
• Respond to client inquiries promptly
• Prepare catering proposals and estimates
• Utilize CRM or ordering systems to track pipeline and client communication
• Participate in weekly sales meetings, pipeline reviews, and reporting
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure smooth event execution
• Assist with account receivables when necessary.
• Support forecasting and sales initiatives

What Success Looks Like

• Meet or exceed periodic sales targets
• Generate new business opportunities weekly
• Strong repeat business and client retention
• Grow average order size
• Maintain timely communication with clients
• Accurate, timely catering order entry and coordination
• Smooth, well-executed events with minimal issues
• Positive client feedback and ongoing relationships
• Consistent contribution to team sales goals
• Build and maintain a healthy sales pipeline

A successful Catering Client Relationship Manager consistently builds trust with clients, develops new business opportunities, strengthens existing relationships, exceeds sales goals, and works collaboratively with the catering team to deliver outstanding experiences that create loyal, repeat clients.

Why Join Us

• Stable, onsite role with consistent schedule
• Competitive salary with performance-based bonus opportunities
• Strong pipeline of inbound leads (minimal cold prospecting)
• Team-driven sales culture 
• Opportunity to grow within a growing catering organization
• A role that blends relationship-building with execution excellence

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to protected status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

Requirements

Qualifications & Skills

• 2+ years in catering, hospitality, sales, event coordination or account management preferred
• Strong communication, customer service and relationship-building skills
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy in order entry and coordination
• Self-motivated with a sales-driven mindset
• Organized, detail oriented and able to manage multiple clients, orders, and priorities
• Comfortable making outbound sales calls
• Professional appearance and attitude
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and CRM software
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, team-driven environment
• Onsite role with consistent schedule, occasional evenings or weekends as needed

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting and computer use
• Occasional standing and walking to assist guests
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs as needed
• Ability to operate standard office equipment