Sales Manager

Company Overview

A Fork Full of Earth is a Marin County-based farm-to-table, full-service catering company whose staff are guided by the company s vision and values. We hold a broad definition of sustainability in our business model, from supporting seasonal, local agriculture, to providing excellent cuisine and service, to promoting a collaborative workplace culture. We aim to create an environment in which each person s time and contributions are acknowledged and honored, effective communication overcomes misunderstandings and conflicts, successes are shared, and collective learning occurs when challenges arise.

Role Overview

The Sales Manager turns first-time inquiries and previous contracts into booked events. This role facilitates the client experience from inquiry through signed contracts.

Once the contract is signed, the Sales Manager collects the deposit, hands the file over to the Event Manager, and remains engaged for client support as needed.

Schedule & Environment

• Status: Full-time, exempt
  

• Schedule: Generally Monday Friday; flexibility required based on client needs and event cycles
  

• Location: A Fork Full of Earth Catering Office, Marin County; some remote work, as needed
  

• Reports to: Owner
  

• Collaborators: General Manager and Event Manager
  

Key Responsibilities

Sales, New Business Conversion, & Warm Leads

• Respond to and Qualify Leads: Respond to inbound inquiries on the same business day. Obtain date, venue, guest count and level of investment to qualify for a custom proposal.
  

• Pipeline Management: Ensure that every open inquiry has a next step with a due date.
  

• Relationship Building: Within 1 week of an event ending, ask the client for a review and a referral. Maintain a current list of venues, planners, photographers, and florists who send us business and contact each at least quarterly. Contact past clients and those who inquired but did not book at least quarterly.
  

• Brand Ambassadorship: Tour new venues, attend planner and vendor networking events, and run tastings. Represent the company s mission, values, and mindful service style, highlighting seasonality and sourcing.
  

Proposal Development & Contracts

• Discovery: Obtain additional details about the event, including the type of and vision for the event, service style, and any menu restrictions. Share our starting price per guest and explore their level of investment.
  

• Proposals: Prepare and send accurate proposals within 2 business days of discovery.
  

• Contracts: The Owner maintains the master contract language; the Sales Manager customizes each event contract from the template, sends it to the client, and follows it through to signature.
  

• Tastings: Offer and host tastings to close the sale.
  

• Handoff: Within 1 business day of receiving the signed contract and deposit, provide the Event Manager with the complete file.
  

Financial Management & Data Integrity

• Systems Management: Maintain up-to-date records for all open inquiries in our CRM and event management system.
  

• Reporting: Tag every inquiry with its source. Report close rate, booked event value, and events booked monthly.
  

Success Metrics

• Responsiveness: Responding to inquiries with first human touch within 1 business day.
  

• Conversion: Achieving close rate on qualified inquiries, meeting revenue targets, and filling open calendar dates.
  

• Accuracy: Ensuring accuracy in proposals, contracts, and pricing.
  

• Flow: Handing off all signed contracts to Event Manager within 1 day of execution.
  

Skills & Traits

• Detail-Oriented: Confirms event date, approximate guest count, venue, and menu restrictions in writing before any proposal or contract is sent.
  

• Hospitality Mindset: Provides "deeply personal" hospitality through attentive, insightful, and professional communication.
  

• Consultative Selling: Understands what drives the client, anchoring the price as an investment.
  

• Self-Directed: Manages multiple clients, timelines, and priorities simultaneously with minimal supervision.
  

• Tech-Savvy: Proficiency with Google Workspace, comfort using relevant AI tools to automate repetitive tasks, and ability to learn the functionality of our CRM and event management software.
  

Qualifications

• Experience: 2-5+ years in catering, events, hospitality, or venue sales.
  

• Expertise: Proven success with closing contracts and high customer satisfaction.
  

• Passion: A genuine passion for local food systems, sustainability, and mindful hospitality.
  

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $70,000 - $90,000/year, DOE
  

• Commission: TBD, multiple structures available
  

• Benefits:
  

• • 2 weeks vacation
    

  • 2 weeks sick leave
    

  • employer-subsidized medical plan
    

  • optional participation in CalSavers Retirement Savings Program