Catering Sales Manager

Job Description

The Catering Sales Manager will creatively solicit events such as weddings, galas, corporate and association events, and social parties in order to exceed revenue goals through active solicitation.

The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for discussing and coordinating all details of an event with the client and communicates this information through respective hotel department heads after the sales contract has been signed. S/he also will ensure that any catering related goals and groups with their needs are coordinated. Solicitation, selling and contracting rooms for assigned market in coordination with transient demand patterns and existing group business to maximize hotel room and related revenue. Outside and inside sales solicitation to grow new group business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Creates and executes strategic sales plans to identify, attract and retain appropriate business to hotel.
• Outside Sales solicitation activities to grow group rooms and related revenue.
• Achievement of monthly and quarterly booking goals.
• Skillfully respond to incoming leads and maximize conversion from all sources.
• Analyze and manage business opportunities to achieve the highest profit margins for department and hotel.
• Creatively sells available hotel space to maximize revenue.
• Negotiate and finalizes contracts within approved Conrad Hilton guidelines.
• Establishes on-sight customer contact as needed and introduces customer to the service staff
• Maintains daily contact with in-house groups.
• Anticipates (or reacts to) group problems and provides solutions.
• Remains up to date with hotel events and guests, as they affect the areas of responsibilities.
• Work with Accounting & Front Office team to ensure that billing is accurate before it is sent to clients.
• Proper procedures pre and post function to ensure payment.
• Ensures that all guest checks, payments, master folios, and advanced deposits are submitted to accounting; ensures that any other group information, which is necessary and/or helpful for successful convention business, is submitted to appropriate departments.
• Obtains catering selection and set-up details from clients.
• Finalizing banquet event orders and contacting customers for final counts as needed.
• Responsible for ensuring that information regarding to set up and breakdown of all Sales & Catering functions are communicated via Banquet Event Orders (BEO).
• Communicates with appropriate departments regarding set-up changes and final counts.
• Maintains effective communication, with all necessary contacts, regarding group business, reports of conventions, copies of correspondence and memos.
• Communicate accurate information on in-house groups to help hotel associates service their needs most completely.
• Understands and works closely with Banquet and F&B team to ensure guest needs are met.
• Provide accurate forecasts to operational departments to ensure proper staffing.
• Responsible for knowing and abiding by all department, hotel and company policies and procedures.
• Conducts oneself at all times in a professional business manner, acts as a professional representative of the hotel and an enthusiastic member of the sales team.
• Position may be required to occasionally work flexible hours and weekends.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by Supervisor.
• Responsibilities are subject to change.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and have success in meeting sales goals. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Individuals must have a presence and demeanor that professionally represents the hotel when interacting with associates and the

general public.

Preferred Skills:

• A bachelor's degree in hotel management or a related field.
• Hotel experience in hotel conference planning/services, sales, or banquet management.
• Computer skills required. Familiarity with Microsoft Office preferred.
• Must have a high level of attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills to facilitate the coordination of all departments in fulfilling the client's requests.
• Minimum of two years professional onsite catering management experience in a upscale/luxury environment.
• Basic knowledge of F&B operations, menus, and upselling opportunities, able to conduct site visits as necessary and to make sales/catering related calls/visits to clients on behalf of the hotel.
• Experience with booking weddings and managing leads through popular wedding websites e.g., Wedding Wire/The Knot.
• Must have proven selling, negotiating and presentation skills.
• Highly developed customer service skills with strong attention to detail.
• Dynamic, enthusiastic, creative individual who can perform multiple functions and troubleshoot when needed.
• Ability to demonstrate warmth and empathy when engaging with others.
• Proficient computer skills including but not limited to Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, and Outlook.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule as needed.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this Job, the associate is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The associate is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The associate must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

This position is eligible for the Northwood Investors incentive plan.