Zingerman's Deli Senior Event Planner

Be a part of the Zingerman’s Deli Team! Essential Functions: • Is the primary guest contact for their client list • Provides proposals for guests’ event, and adjustments as necessary, within our service standards • Meets documented planning deadlines for events • Has knowledge of appropriate food portioning and menu creation • Estimates needed service staff, bar staff, and kitchen staff hours for events • Schedules, coordinates and executes event tastings as needed • Communicates menu details by the kitchen deadline with the Production Manager, and recommends portion sizes based on specific client needs • Manages the rental booking, delivery and return of rentals and equipment for their events • Creates service plan and timeline for events that are shared with the events team and the catering Director • Is present at the start of the majority of events they book throughout the year, greeting the client and ensuring a smooth handoff of information to captains, chefs, and service staff • Executes the event according to Zingerman’s standards • Ensures service staff meet and exceed expectations • Seeks and reports client feedback after events • Attends the weekly Events planning meetings • Assists in forecasting the Event sales lines, providing monthly sales totals for planned and likely to book events • Solicits deposits for booked events and ensures final payment is made which includes adjustments to the client’s bill based upon actual service and consumption • Conducts all business in accordance with Zingerman’s Guiding Principles and Bottom Lines • Gives exceptional service to all guests • Handles the unexpected with a positive, proactive, and professional attitude • Assists with event set up/breakdown as needed • Helps develop sales opportunities through repeat guests, referrals, and community connections • Models and embraces a culture of continuous improvement through creating and updating systems, processes, and documentation • Coordinates with our Marketing Director to build future event sales. • Responsible for hiring, training, coaching, and developing Catering event Staff • Conducts performance reviews and promotes ongoing learning and development • Follows the tenets of Servant Leadership (Zingerman’s approach to leadership) • Promotes effective communication and teamwork between the Catering Events Department and other Deli Departments • Other Functions: • Assists with event set up/breakdown as needed • Helps develop sales opportunities through repeat guests, referrals, and community connections • Models and embraces a culture of continuous improvement through creating and updating systems, processes, and documentation Success Patterns: (these items are preferred but not required - ability and willingness to learn is valued above experience) • 5 years or more experience in an Event Planner role • Prior management experience including managing a budget and leading a team of 10 or more staff members including hiring, training, and writing performance reviews • Loves to provide great service, and has a proven track record in sales • Experience in a restaurant, catering department, or on events • Strong skills in data entry, and with Google Applications including Google Docs and Sheets • Experience with catering software (specifically Caterease) • Experience with documenting systems and following and improving SOP's • Enjoys doing a mix of both office administration work and on hand management of event execution • Able to type at least 40 words per minute • High level of integrity and honesty • Has excellent written and verbal communication skills • Is organized; can deal with complex tasks and long term projects; has excellent follow-through skills • High energy, charisma and an outgoing personality • Excited about systems and continuous improvement • Is extremely self-motivated with the ability to work independently and also be a proactive member of a team • Able to calmly and effectively handle high pressure situations Zingerman's is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.