Catering Sales Manager
Potbelly, Chicago, IL, United States
Do you hunger for more? Potbelly Sandwich Shop is looking for friendly and outgoing people who enjoy working in a fast‑paced, friendly environment. We are where good vibes and great careers are a way of life! What started as a small antique store in 1977 has become a nationally recognized neighborhood sandwich shop with over 400 locations across the United States. But toasty sandwiches are only as good as the people behind them. And yeah, we’ve got the best. Ready to join our growing Potbelly Nation?
$75,000 - $80,000 base salary range + commission potential!
Must live in market- Detroit, Dallas, or IL suburbs
What's In It For You
Competitive pay with performance‑based annual raises!
Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
Domestic Partnership Benefits
Paid Parental Leave
FSA and HSA with Employer Contribution
Commuter Benefit Program
Retirement Savings 401(k) WITH company match
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Time Off
Discount Program
Flexible Work Schedule
Career growth opportunities
If hired, you must meet and maintain all eligibility requirements to qualify
Title:
Catering Sales Manager
Department/Function:
CD-1
Location:
Field
Reports to (Title):
Sr. Manager National Catering Sales
Job Level:
Full‑Time
Exempt:
Yes
Travel Requirements:
Frequently
General Description The Catering Sales Manager is a field sales leader & Brand Ambassador for our Catering business. They are responsible for planning, developing and growing catering sales for the Potbelly Nation. Targeted Industries will include but are not limited to Essential Businesses, Corporations, Associations, Tour & Travel, University/Education, Healthcare, Technology, Retail, Financial, and Manufacturing Industries. They will display/coach sales driving focused behaviors to achieve aggressive but attainable sales growth for our Potbelly catering business. Their role will also help establish/maintain Potbelly as the sandwich shop with the craveable quality & good vibes of a first‑class dive.
Responsibilities Sales
Drive catering sales and delivery business for shops within given territory by cold calling, utilizing business lists, canvassing, and through Inside, Outside, and virtual Sales presentations.
Identify new sales opportunities by effectively analyzing metrics tracker, program results and monitoring competitive activity.
Identify, partner and participate with local and national organizations that support catering sales while building relationships and drive lead generation.
Build Sales Pipeline to effectively target competition and steal market share.
Execute monthly targeted eblast campaigns utilizing our entire Salesforce Database.
Tracks all prospecting efforts, client interactions, meetings, calls, quotes, & orders in our CRM‑Salesforce
Build Relationships with Customers
Determine top customers by analyzing reports and act as key sales liaison with them to as needed to ensure Potbelly is their preferred catering option.
Contact lapsed customers to understand how their catering needs have changed, and build relationship to grow sales in the future.
Appropriately follow‑up with customers to ensure Potbelly is meeting and exceeding their expectations.
Coach Shop Teams
Partner with our Regional Leaders to develop primary & secondary sales strategies/tactics that build catering sales and grow the brand in their neighborhood.
Coaches and supports DMs and GMs and CC's in developing LSM outside & inside the 4 walls sales activities at shops, such as canvassing, call backs, table touches, lapsed customer calls, and appropriate follow‑up for orders.
Partner with Sr. Manager of Catering Department to redefine our Catering Coordinator Program/Tools and assist with co‑facilitating sales coaching classes for GM's & CC's
Marketing/Sales Support
Writes & sends quotes through our Order Entry system.
Follow‑up on web sales leads through Salesforce.com
Assist with Other duties as assigned
Essential Physical Functions
Must have the ability/stamina to work a minimum of 50 to 55 hours a week.
Be able to lift up to 10 - 50 pounds occasionally.
Must be able to spend 20 - 30% of time traveling, and 75% of time in market or shops.
Will frequently reach, feel, bend, stoop, carry, manipulate and key in data.
Must be able to work in both warm and cool environments, indoors and outdoors.
Must be able to tolerate higher levels of noise from music, customer and employee traffic.
Must be able to tolerate potential allergens: peanut products, egg, dairy, gluten, soy, seafood and shellfish.
Must be able to engage in problem‑solving skills to help identify and solve potential issues in the field.
Must be able to communicate heavily with employees and Support Center through telephone, e‑mail and in‑person communications.
Experience, Education and Behaviors
Must represent Potbelly Advantage and Our Values.
Minimum of 5 years experience within foodservice industry and has created sales revenues for new locations through a wide variety of channels, specifically business to consumer. (B2C)
Working knowledge of operations. (External hires: Four weeks of in shop training will be required.)
College degree, preferred.
Knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft Office products.
Knowledge of Salesforce.com, preferred.
Experience in cold calling and Sales Presentations.
Ability to schedule & present virtual Sales Presentations & Meetings
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast paced, rapidly growing environment.
Must be organized; proactive; and possess strong sense of urgency and professional demeanor.
Strong communication skills, both written and oral
Solid coaching ability to support neighborhood shops
Analytical ability to assess impact of sales and initiatives
Ability to travel up to 75% of the time (in local shops and visiting customers)
At Potbelly, we are committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment where individuals are valued for their unique perspectives, backgrounds, and strengths. We believe that inclusion, collaboration, and mutual respect enhance the way we serve our customers and work together as a team. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
We're an equal opportunity employer. Each applicant will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted by [6/30/2026] to be considered for this position. The posting may close earlier if a suitable candidate is selected before the deadline.
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$75,000 - $80,000 base salary range + commission potential!
Must live in market- Detroit, Dallas, or IL suburbs
What's In It For You
Competitive pay with performance‑based annual raises!
Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
Domestic Partnership Benefits
Paid Parental Leave
FSA and HSA with Employer Contribution
Commuter Benefit Program
Retirement Savings 401(k) WITH company match
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Time Off
Discount Program
Flexible Work Schedule
Career growth opportunities
If hired, you must meet and maintain all eligibility requirements to qualify
Title:
Catering Sales Manager
Department/Function:
CD-1
Location:
Field
Reports to (Title):
Sr. Manager National Catering Sales
Job Level:
Full‑Time
Exempt:
Yes
Travel Requirements:
Frequently
General Description The Catering Sales Manager is a field sales leader & Brand Ambassador for our Catering business. They are responsible for planning, developing and growing catering sales for the Potbelly Nation. Targeted Industries will include but are not limited to Essential Businesses, Corporations, Associations, Tour & Travel, University/Education, Healthcare, Technology, Retail, Financial, and Manufacturing Industries. They will display/coach sales driving focused behaviors to achieve aggressive but attainable sales growth for our Potbelly catering business. Their role will also help establish/maintain Potbelly as the sandwich shop with the craveable quality & good vibes of a first‑class dive.
Responsibilities Sales
Drive catering sales and delivery business for shops within given territory by cold calling, utilizing business lists, canvassing, and through Inside, Outside, and virtual Sales presentations.
Identify new sales opportunities by effectively analyzing metrics tracker, program results and monitoring competitive activity.
Identify, partner and participate with local and national organizations that support catering sales while building relationships and drive lead generation.
Build Sales Pipeline to effectively target competition and steal market share.
Execute monthly targeted eblast campaigns utilizing our entire Salesforce Database.
Tracks all prospecting efforts, client interactions, meetings, calls, quotes, & orders in our CRM‑Salesforce
Build Relationships with Customers
Determine top customers by analyzing reports and act as key sales liaison with them to as needed to ensure Potbelly is their preferred catering option.
Contact lapsed customers to understand how their catering needs have changed, and build relationship to grow sales in the future.
Appropriately follow‑up with customers to ensure Potbelly is meeting and exceeding their expectations.
Coach Shop Teams
Partner with our Regional Leaders to develop primary & secondary sales strategies/tactics that build catering sales and grow the brand in their neighborhood.
Coaches and supports DMs and GMs and CC's in developing LSM outside & inside the 4 walls sales activities at shops, such as canvassing, call backs, table touches, lapsed customer calls, and appropriate follow‑up for orders.
Partner with Sr. Manager of Catering Department to redefine our Catering Coordinator Program/Tools and assist with co‑facilitating sales coaching classes for GM's & CC's
Marketing/Sales Support
Writes & sends quotes through our Order Entry system.
Follow‑up on web sales leads through Salesforce.com
Assist with Other duties as assigned
Essential Physical Functions
Must have the ability/stamina to work a minimum of 50 to 55 hours a week.
Be able to lift up to 10 - 50 pounds occasionally.
Must be able to spend 20 - 30% of time traveling, and 75% of time in market or shops.
Will frequently reach, feel, bend, stoop, carry, manipulate and key in data.
Must be able to work in both warm and cool environments, indoors and outdoors.
Must be able to tolerate higher levels of noise from music, customer and employee traffic.
Must be able to tolerate potential allergens: peanut products, egg, dairy, gluten, soy, seafood and shellfish.
Must be able to engage in problem‑solving skills to help identify and solve potential issues in the field.
Must be able to communicate heavily with employees and Support Center through telephone, e‑mail and in‑person communications.
Experience, Education and Behaviors
Must represent Potbelly Advantage and Our Values.
Minimum of 5 years experience within foodservice industry and has created sales revenues for new locations through a wide variety of channels, specifically business to consumer. (B2C)
Working knowledge of operations. (External hires: Four weeks of in shop training will be required.)
College degree, preferred.
Knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft Office products.
Knowledge of Salesforce.com, preferred.
Experience in cold calling and Sales Presentations.
Ability to schedule & present virtual Sales Presentations & Meetings
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast paced, rapidly growing environment.
Must be organized; proactive; and possess strong sense of urgency and professional demeanor.
Strong communication skills, both written and oral
Solid coaching ability to support neighborhood shops
Analytical ability to assess impact of sales and initiatives
Ability to travel up to 75% of the time (in local shops and visiting customers)
At Potbelly, we are committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment where individuals are valued for their unique perspectives, backgrounds, and strengths. We believe that inclusion, collaboration, and mutual respect enhance the way we serve our customers and work together as a team. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
We're an equal opportunity employer. Each applicant will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted by [6/30/2026] to be considered for this position. The posting may close earlier if a suitable candidate is selected before the deadline.
#J-18808-Ljbffr