Catering Sales Manager

Title: Catering Sales Manager

Department/Function: CD-1

Location: Field

Reports to (Title): Director of Catering

Job Level: Full-Time

Exempt

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.

FOCUS

Responsibilities

I. 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

II. 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.

III. 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.

IV. 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)

Potbelly Sandwich Works may use artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted tools as part of its hiring and recruitment process. These tools may collect and analyze data including questionnaire and assessment responses, resume content, and professional profile information. AI-assisted tools are used for all position types. All final employment decisions are made by people. Potbelly may also use additional AI-assisted tools from time to time in its hiring process.

If you have questions about how AI is used in connection with your application, or if you would like to request a reasonable accommodation related to the use of AI in the hiring process, please contact HumanResources1@potbelly.com.

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.

Company: Potbelly Corporate

Position: Catering Sales Manager

Status: Full Time

Shift: First (Day)

Req #: 10948724

Date Posted: March 23, 2026

Location: Chicago , Chicago,
US,
IL,
60611

Job Category: Corporate