Zingerman's Deli Senior Event Planner

Description

Be a part of the Zingerman’s Deli Team! If you are interested in a fast-paced, fun and friendly environment and would like to play a leadership role in our Catering Department–we’d love to have you on our team! This is a unique opportunity to work with great food and a great team in a thriving open-book business that garners national recognition. Event Planners are responsible for overseeing all event details and leading the service team.

This salaried position is one of 2 management positions that leads the Catering event sales department.  This department consists of a team of 6-8 Full time & part time staff, as well as 25-30 occasional service staff that execute sales of approximately 2 million dollars a year of full service events.  The events are held at our venue Zingerman’s Greyline or at various other offsite event locations.

Compensation:

• Full-Time, salaried position $53,000 - $58,000, depending on experience
• 3% of service fees (approximately $5,000 a year) in addition to base salary
• Paths to wage increase within the first 9 months of employment and beyond
• A typical work week is 40-50 hours, and up to 55 hours per week during the busy season (May - November)
• Shifts are typically 8 - 10 hours  - weekends and availability for some early morning and late evening shifts required
• Reports to: Catering Director 

Compelling Reasons to Join Us:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits available
• Company contribution to medical and dental insurance
• Company contribution towards your health savings account + rewards program
• 401K matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met
• Free employee meals provided off the Deli sandwich menu
• Employee Discount of 50% available at completion of manager orientation
• Discounts at all Zingerman's businesses
• Paid time off available
• Discounts at local businesses
• 25% reimbursement for massages
• Ownership opportunity through staff Community Shares program
• Opportunities to learn and advance within the organization
• Working with a committed and fun team

Performance Expectations:

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

Physical requirements for this position are:

• Able to ascend/descend between multiple levels of the Deli building
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds
• Comfortable standing, bending, and lifting for an extended period of time

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Zingerman’s Deli

Zingerman's is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  At Zingerman's all individuals are welcomed, treated respectfully and fairly, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute fully to the organization's success.  We are a place where we can be ourselves at work, bringing our uniqueness to the business while fulfilling our work duties. Want to learn more? Check out our commitment to diversity link below:

http://www.zingermanscommunity.com/about-us/commitment-to-diversity/