Catering Sales Manager

Additional Information: This hotel is owned and operated by an independent franchisee, Epicurean Atlanta Hotel. The franchisee is a separate company and a separate employer from Marriott International, Inc.  The franchisee solely controls all aspects of the hotel's employment policies and practices, including hiring, firing, discipline, staffing, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.  If you accept a position at this hotel, you will be employed by a franchisee and not by Marriott International, Inc.

Position: Catering Sales Manager for Epicurean Hotel Atlanta

Location: Atlanta, GA

Reports to: Director of Sales

Status: Exempt

It is about grit.  An attitude.  An elevated level of hospitality.  Curiosity to seek out new culinary trends.  Desire to nurture relationships.

We surround ourselves with those who are like-minded and motivated to educate our customers on the Epicurean experience and bring it to life.

OUR PILLARS:    Curated | Crafted | Social | Enriching

WHO WE'RE SEEKING:

We are seeking a unique individual who will embody the heart and soul of a true epicurean while caring deeply about the brand and community. Someone who acts as an extension of our pillars, values, and culture.  This person is driven to create meaningful experiences for our team members, guests, and community while simultaneously ensuring the success of Epicurean Atlanta.  

We want to work with someone who brings a spirit of fun, authenticity, collaboration and genuine hospitality to their life and work.  We are seeking an individual who will ensure we all bring Epicurean Atlanta to life.  

We have poured passion, energy, and excitement into crafting an extraordinary place and brand and know the right Catering Manager will be inspired and passionate about this dynamic vision as we are.  Care for people, a belief in the power of the community, and desire to create ordinary experiences drive us.  Is this YOU?

Job Summary:

Responsible for handling sales of catering opportunities for all event space in hotel, event lawn, culinary theatre, and all other venues. Responsible for achieving and exceeding catering sales revenue goals, contracts and closes local catering and social business. Ensures that business is turned over properly and in a timely fashion for quality service delivery. Achieves catering revenue goals by actively up selling each business opportunity to maximize revenue. Implements the brand's service strategy and applicable brand initiatives in all aspects of the sales process and drives customer loyalty by delivering service excellence throughout each customer experience.

Also responsible for booking & servicing all large party outlet inquiries and working closely with F+B / culinary teams.

Essential Functions

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

Maximizing Revenue & Managing Profitability

•    Identifies, qualifies and solicits new catering business to achieve personal and hotel revenue goals

•    Coordinates definite group business 

•    Generates banquet event orders

•    Established billing for definite function and ensures deposits are collected

•    Proactively solicits affiliate business associated with citywide events

•    Understands the overall market – competitors' strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand etc. and knows how to sell against them

•    Maximizes revenue by up-selling packages and creative food and beverage offerings

•    Identifies and implements process improvements and best practices

•    Gains understanding of the hotel's primary target customer and service expectations

•    Ensures successful performance by increasing revenues, controlling expenses and providing a return on investment for the owner and the business

Managing Sales Activities

•    Manages the sales efforts for the hotel and complex related to catering business

•    Responds to incoming catering opportunities for the hotel and development 

•    Close the best opportunities for the hotel based on market conditions and hotel needs

•    Uses negotiating skills and creative selling abilities to close on business and negotiate contracts.

•    Designs, develops, and sells creative catered events

•    Identifies and assists with selling, implementing and following-through on catering promotions.

•    Promotes accountability to drive superior business results

•    Executes Sales strategies and business processes

•    Executes and supports Customer Service Standards and hotel's Brand Standards

•    Executes and supports the operational aspects of business booked (e.g., generating proposal, writing contract, customer correspondence)

•    Participates in and practice daily service basics of the brand

Building Successful Relationships

•    Works collaboratively with property Sales and Marketing colleagues as well as other hotel departments to ensure sales efforts are coordinated, complementary and not duplicative

•    Develops a close working relationship with operations to ensure execution of strategies at the hotel level

•    Works with the management team to create and implement a catering sales plan addressing revenue, customers, and market

•    Works with the property's Food and Beverage team to develop menus that

Qualification Standards

Education & Experience

•    4-year bachelor's degree preferred

•    Two (2) years Catering sales experience preferred – Wedding experience is ideal

•    Familiarization of the local markets preferred

•    Excellent customer service skills

•    Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

•    Ability to effectively present information to individuals or groups

•    Proficient with Microsoft Office programs, Marriott systems, SFAweb and CI/TY

Physical Demands

•    Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time

•    Ability to communicate clearly

•    Corrected vision to normal range

•    Ability to drive/transport self and others

•    Ability to travel, domestically and internationally

•    Long hours are sometimes required

Mental Demands

•    Make sound judgments quickly

•    Work on multiple tasks, making appropriate progress towards deadlines

•    Able to work independently, take direction and provide direction to others

•    Manage differing personalities within the office, the hotel, and the community

•    Maintain the highest degree of confidentiality

•    Ability to work effectively in stressful, high-pressure situations

•    Ability to effectively handle challenges in the workplace, including anticipating, preventing, identifying, and solving problems as necessary

•    Sense of urgency in all manners related to our customers and

This company is an equal opportunity employer.

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