Job Description

WHO WE ARE

Nando’s Peri-Peri USA is a growing restaurant group currently seeking to add a full-time Catering Manager for the Greater Chicago market to our Restaurant Support team. Known best for our marinated and flame grilled chicken basted to your liking with our famous PERi-PERi sauce, our casual and culturally diverse company has deep roots as a global brand originating in South Africa.

NANDO’S VISION

At Nando’s, we want to be the most loved restaurant brand in North America, sharing the spirit of Nando’s PERi- PERi with everyone who chooses to access it. We will redesign and build a business that thrives as it fully answers it is consumers’ needs -and endures overtime through genuinely putting people at the heart of what we do. We will lead with our values and act with care, compassion, and kindness. By doing this, we will Change Lives Together, every day and everywhere.

The Catering Sales Manager (CSM) is a key revenue-driving leader responsible for accelerating catering growth through proactive sales strategies, strong relationship development, and seamless event execution. This role is specifically designed to support the Greater Chicago region, ensuring focused growth and relationship management within this key market. This blends outside sales, account management, strategic planning, and operational coordination to expand Nando’s catering portfolio and deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Working cross-functionally with Marketing, Operations, Training, and Finance, this role helps shape catering strategy, optimizes sales processes, and ensures restaurants are equipped to execute at the highest level. As a hands-on growth leader, the Catering Sales Manager drives new business development, builds long-term client partnerships, and strengthens Nando’s presence in key markets—ultimately ensuring sustainable revenue growth and a world-class catering experience for every guest.

Success in this role is measured by year-over-year sales growth, new account acquisition, revenue retention, and the profitability of catering events. The position earns a base salary plus commission and year-end kicker bonus.

Catering Revenue Generation & Sales Growth (Primary Focus)

• Develop and execute a quarterly catering sales plan targeting corporate clients, schools, nonprofit organizations, and local businesses.
• Achieve or exceed quarterly and annual catering revenue targets.
• Actively prospect, qualify, and close new catering accounts through cold outreach, tastings, networking, and in-person visits.
• Secure recurring catering contracts with businesses, medical offices, property managers, event planners, and corporate clients.
• Grow incremental revenue from existing clients through upselling, repeat bookings, and loyalty-building strategies.
• Deliver accurate sales forecasts, pipeline reports, and growth projections.
• Maintain and update client database using catering software.
• Collaborate on innovative ideas to boost catering sales and brand awareness.
• Create tailored proposals and event plans that reflect Nando’s brand standards.
• Attend local business events, networking functions, and trade shows to represent the brand and expand the catering footprint.

Execution, Operations Partnership & Guest Experience

• Partner with Operations to identify the best restaurants to fulfill catering orders and ensure each location is fully equipped and trained.
• Coordinate event logistics, delivery timing, and execution details with restaurant leaders.
• Ensure all food, packaging, setup, and service elements reflect Nando’s high standards for quality, safety, and presentation.
• Support restaurants with onsite execution when needed for large or high-profile events.
• Champion an exceptional guest experience from initial inquiry to post-event follow-up.

Training Support

• Train, coach, and support restaurant teams on all aspects of catering—service standards, order execution, packaging and presentation, upselling techniques, and event readiness—to ensure flawless delivery and consistency across units.
• Partner closely with Area Directors to reinforce accountability, identify opportunities, and ensure each restaurant is fully equipped to grow and retain catering business.

Community Engagement & Brand Representation

• Actively represent Nando’s brand and culture at tastings, presentations, and community events.
• Build relationships with influencers and strategic partners to amplify catering visibility.
• Support influencer programs with catering activations, gifting, and reporting.
• Manage guest loyalty program to bring catering clients into the Nando’s brand circle

Reporting & Analysis

• Analyze customer sales patterns to inform marketing, menu evolution, and promotional strategies.
• Share insights and recommendations to improve catering operations and guest experience.

Pay Range

$60,000.00 - $90,000.00

Benefits

• Commission based incentive plan
• 401k and matching*
• Comprehensive Health Care Plan Options
• Wellness Reimbursement
• Technology Reimbursement

This range is based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budget, the qualifications necessary for the position, education, experience, training, and other considerations permitted by law. Factors that may be used when making an offer may include a candidate’s skills, experience, and geographic location, the expected quality and quantity of work, and internal pay alignment, as needed. The upper end of the range will generally be reserved for candidates with extensive experience. An employee’s pay history will not be a contributing factor where prohibited by law. In addition to monetary compensation, we offer benefits, including Medical/Dental/Vision insurance and Company-matching 401(k) in addition to other programs and perks. The above hiring range represents Nando's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Nando's Restaurant Group, Inc participates in E-Verify. Please read the E-Verify and Right to Work notices before applying.

Nandos North America provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Qualifications

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; culinary or hospitality background preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in catering sales, hospitality, or restaurant marketing.
• Experience executing catering events and managing client relationships.
• Proven ability to build and grow a client base.
• Strong communication skills—phone, email, and in-person.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and catering software.
• ServSafe Manager Certification preferred (or ability to obtain within 60 days).
• Ability to manage multiple projects, clients, and timelines simultaneously.
• Comfortable rolling up sleeves and working alongside restaurant teams to deliver catering orders.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs occasionally.
• Valid driver’s license and clear driving record required. Access to a reliable vehicle is preferred
• Ability to commute between multiple restaurant locations for up to 50% of the time.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES & VALUE

Passion

• Energetic: outgoing, vibrant personality, goes the extra mile for their team
• Rooted: sees the work as more than just a job and is enthusiastic about success in their role
• Positive: constructive, optimistic and confident
• Dedicated: committed, loyal and steadfast
• Learning orientation: desire and drive to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to perform job more effectively
• Courteous: respectful and considerate in manner and behavior towards others, treats others with compassion, care, and kindness
• Adaptable: work effectively within a variety of diverse situations, and with diverse individuals
• Collaborator: engaging, cooperative, contributing, and supporting team members
• Willing: eager, prepared, and quick to act or respond

Pride

• Meticulous: demonstrates a commitment to quality and excellence in the execution of work
• Self-motivated: initiative to undertake or continue a task or activity without providing or supervision
• Conscientious: hardworking, diligent, and dependable
• Humility: modest and unassuming, taking pride and not praise in activities and achievements, this does not take the form of arrogance.

Family

• Courteous: respectful and considerate in manner and behavior towards others, treats others with compassion, care, and kindness
• Adaptable: work effectively within a variety of diverse situations, and with diverse individuals
• Team player: engaging, cooperative, contributing, and supporting team members
• Willing: eager, prepared, and quick to act or respond

Courage

• Assertive: confidently communicate needs or wishes in a constructive manner
• Resilient: effectively manage stressful or pressurized situations
• Tenacious: persistent regardless of setbacks

Integrity

• Integrity: adherence to accepted principles of right and wrong, interesting in doing the right thing
• Credible: honest, trustworthy, accountable, and dependable
• Genuine: keeping everyone’s best interests at heart

Work Arrangement

This is a field-based role in the local market. It requires an active presence in restaurants and the community to drive local marketing initiatives, build relationships, and support events, while offering flexibility to manage planning, reporting, and coordination across multiple touchpoints. Standard business hours with flexibility to work night and weekend events and to respond to urgent requests as needed