Sr. Manager, Via Panera Catering Sales

Job Responsibilities:

? Oversee opportunities for Via Panera across the country and across company and franchise bakery-cafes.

? Develop and conduct sales calls and presentations.

? Work with local market leaders and Via Panera Sales Managers to increase sales.

? Develop large-scale sales opportunities multiregional.  Typical customers would include:  meeting and event planners, Training Companies, and Pharmaceutical Reps.

? Lead and manage 30+ SVPC?s on the company side, plus franchise sales on a dotted line basis.

? Work with Learning and Development group to develop and train existing and future SVPC?s.  This includes training programs and elements.

? Partner with Marketing to identify and develop the marketing tools that are needed for sales presentations, mail templates, and customer specific materials.

? Monitor and evaluate the activities and products of the competition as needed.

? Recruit, train and manage a national team of Managers.

? Manage expenses within budget guidelines.

? Review sales report showing sales volume and potential sales.

? Develop and implement strategic plans to accomplish sales goals.

? Make sound judgments while working with other departments and maintaining strong working relationships both inside and outside the company.

? Develop, track, measure and analyze the sales strategy for each market segment

? Proactively facilitate and develop strong relationships with business leaders through constant and direct contact

? Supports the needs of the SVPC by ensuring they have the tools and information needed for successful job performance including, training and development and the use of related reports and audits of operations and procedures to help SVPC and VPC achieve targeted performance goals

? Provides coaching, direction, goals, practices and leadership support to SVPC in order to achieve business plan and customer results

 Qualifications

? Bachelor's degree and/or 6-8 years industry & sales experience as well as banquet or catering experience is preferred

? Minimum of 6 years multi-unit restaurant management and cafe experience

? Must have extensive experience with management and development of a successful national sales team.

? Excellent communication skills including verbal, written, and listening.

? Strong problem solving abilities, self-directed, and detail oriented.

? The ability to solve problems and think analytically.

? Proven track record of sales performance and understanding of how to generate catering revenue.

? Requires extensive management experience in food service/restaurant industry; or any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills and ability for successful job performance.

? Ability to thrive in a fast pace, growing company.

? Prior successful presentation and public speaking experience a plus.

? Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.  Persuasiveness in building consensus for new ideas and initiatives.