Catering Account Manager

About the role

Sifted is seeking an energetic, detail-oriented Account Manager to serve as the on-site liaison for one of our clients in the Chicago area.

In this role, you will be responsible for launching and managing the entire account, ensuring a seamless experience across multiple distinctive service lines. Your responsibilities will include building and maintaining a strong client relationship, managing the front-of-house team, keeping spending within budget, and providing regular performance updates to our client.

If you excel at balancing client satisfaction with operational efficiency, and you have a knack for communication and leadership, we’d love to hear from you.

This position requires a reliable vehicle, valid driver's license and auto insurance.

What you'll be doing

• Serve as the sole point of contact for our onsite eatery client, fostering a long-term relationship built on trust and consistent communication
• Oversee daily service operations, including breakfast and lunch service lines, supporting up to 450 guests per day
• Implement and enforce best practices to streamline operational processes and maintain high standards of service
• Ensure the client’s needs and expectations are clearly understood and consistently met through proactive communication and follow-ups
• Lead, train, and develop the front-of-house team, ensuring exceptional service delivery that aligns with Sifted’s brand values and client expectations
• Help ensure portion sizes are standardized and consistently maintained
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Chef and culinary team to address any issues impacting the client experience, execute quality analysis, and ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation standards
• Support a scratch-cooking environment, producing menus across a variety of cuisines and flavors while accommodating dietary restrictions and allergens
• Monitor and manage spending to ensure operations remain within the established budget for the client account
• Prepare regular reports and performance updates for the client, highlighting successes, challenges, and opportunities for enhancement
• Coordinate special events outside of lunch service, including breakfasts, afternoon snacks, and happy hours, ensuring catering orders are clearly communicated and executed across all departments
• Create and manage scheduling for hourly front-of-house personnel
• Assist with the management of event equipment, décor, supplies, and storage spaces
• Ensure accuracy in signage for menus, ingredients, and allergens

Our ideal candidate

• Proven experience in account management, client services, or a similar role, within the hospitality or food service industry
• Experience with opening corporate dining concepts and creating and implementing processes
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly with clients and team members
• Is operationally minded: exhibits strong follow-through on tasks and progress; flexes between a granular attention to detail and big-picture thinking; balances decisiveness and patience in time-sensitive situations
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities, capable of managing budgets and operational details simultaneously
• Energetic, adaptable, and capable of thriving in a fast-paced environment
• Comfortable with feedback and eager to learn and grow within the role
• Is experienced with Google apps (Gmail, Google Drive), Microsoft Office, Slack

Perks + benefits

• Compensation : starting at $60k per year + yearly bonus tied to goal achievement
• Company-sponsored health insurance plans, including 100% company-paid HDHP, as well as vision + dental opt-in
• 401(k) program available after six months of employment
• Unlimited paid-time-off; 10 paid company holidays; paid winter break from Dec 24-Jan 1.
• Monthly cell phone usage reimbursement
• Free lunch during meal service
• 100% mileage reimbursement
• Opportunities to take on larger roles within our organization + learn with a fast-growing start-up

Job Type: Full Time

Shift: Weekdays

Weekly day range: Monday - Friday

Eligibility : This position must maintain ServSafe Food Handler card (company-paid);

Work environment : This is a position based both in a commercial kitchen and on-site in client offices

Physical requirements : This position requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs, the ability to stand for long periods of time, and the ability to bend, squat, and reach