Catering Sales Associate

Position Overview We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Catering Sales Associate to join our growing sales team. Working alongside our Sales Managers, this role is central to Purslane’s client experience—from first inquiry through post-event follow-up. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced hospitality environment, brings strong organizational skills, and is passionate about building client relationships and driving revenue.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with 2–4 years of catering, event, or hospitality sales experience who is ready to take on more responsibility and grow within a collaborative team. Key Responsibilities Lead Management & Client Communication Respond to incoming leads based on assigned segments, ensuring timely and professional communication. Generate leads through targeted outreach, networking events, venue referrals, and planner relationships.

Correspond with prospective clients to qualify leads and understand event needs. Pivot leads to alternate dates and cross-sell across Purslane’s venues to maximize revenue and capture rate. Capture lost business contacts into the customer database to support future outreach.

Proposals, Contracts & Event Coordination Create proposals tailored to client needs, budget, and event vision. Customize proposals as needed, balancing client priorities, budget constraints, and operational feasibility. Collect and track deposit payments, coordinating with finance to ensure accuracy.

Host site tours for prospective clients at Purslane’s venue locations. Activate seamless handoffs to the event production team to ensure flawless execution. Client Relationships & Business Development Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with clients, vendors, and industry partners to expand Purslane’s network.

Stay informed about current industry trends, competitor offerings, and market conditions to identify new opportunities. Ensure smooth communication between departments for successful event execution. Marketing & CRM Maintain contact, account, and event records in our CRM system (TripleSeat).

Manage Purslane’s presence on online platforms such as Wedding Wire, Zola, and similar listing sites. Design and execute social media posts to support brand visibility and lead generation. Qualifications 2–4 years of experience in catering sales, event sales, or hospitality sales; event production experience is a plus.

Working knowledge of hospitality operations, event logistics, and catering workflows. Familiarity with NYC-area venues, including understanding space and capacity constraints, and COI requirements. Proficiency with CRM software (TripleSeat preferred) and Google Suite.

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills with strong attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and consistently meet client deadlines. Strong relationship-building skills with both internal teams and external clients.

Understanding of menu planning, dietary considerations, and various cuisine types. Self-motivated with excellent time management and flexibility regarding working hours. Must be based in the New York metropolitan area and available to work on-site and attend events in the tri-state area.

More detail about Purslane part of The Oberon Group, please visit https://culinaryagents.com/entities/79564-Purslane