Catering Sales Manager

The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for booking and servicing all events that do not have guest room needs, with the exception of rooms related to social events, i.e. weddings, holiday parties, etc. They are responsible for meeting budgeted revenue goals while exceeding customer satisfaction; understanding and anticipating customer needs and building strong relationships to ensure increased repeat business; soliciting new business opportunities and answering, closing and detailing catering sales leads and walk-in customers in order to achieve or exceed activity goals. This position requires an energetic, detail-oriented person with a passion for providing 5-star service, a flexible can-do-attitude along with excellent communication skills to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat business.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide the highest quality of service to the customer at all times. Quick and timely responses to all calls, emails and leads (no later than 24 hours).
• Solicit and secure business for Hotel through a proactive, focused sales approach using all available technology to identify comp set accounts, new customers in the market while continuing to saturate existing accounts. Must be able to fill schedule with continuous stream of customer contacts on property, on location or via the telephone and internet.
• Develop strong, professional long-term business relationships. Attend networking events, become member of civic organization and/or industry associations.
• Must have clear understanding of the hotel's business strategies and goals to determine individual action plans to meet those goals.
• Create banquet event orders (BEOs) with all set up, A/V and food and beverage requirements needed for group.
• Ensure all BEOs are signed by the client and distributed to the Banquet and Culinary team in accordance with the guidelines set forth by Hotel.
• Ensure correct billing information is obtained and followed along with any deposit schedules that may be necessary.
• Maintain accurate information and revenues in CI/TY at all times to ensure accurate forecasting.
• Create and Maintain neatly organized files with all required and appropriate information.
• Attend all BEO meetings and all other departmental meetings set forth by GM or DOSM.
• Work closely with Banquet Department on operations and event execution.
• Be on site to greet all groups upon arrival; onsite and visible to groups throughout the duration of their event – checking to ensure everything is running smoothly and that clients are happy and satisfied.
• Follow-up with client after function by phone to ensure customer satisfaction, thank them for the business and to address any possible challenges.
• Follow-up with various departments to ensure any necessary feedback is communicated.
• Follow through on billing to ensure all monies are collected.
• Assist other sales/catering mangers with site inspections as required.
• Participate in all property specific customer functions.
• Assist with reporting as necessary (monthly location reports, capture rate reporting, annual sales plan, property level account reporting and ad-hoc requests).
• Provide operational support during shows, help drive sales initiatives set forth by DOSM with team members and conduct or attend training as needed.
• Wear professional attire and always represent hotel to the best of your ability.
• Maintain a positive, cooperative work environment between staff and management in accordance with company values.
• Any other duties or activities set forth by immediate supervisor or General Manager.
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QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Minimum of two years Sales Management Experience
• Minimum of one year in hotel sales experience in social catering.
• The ability to negotiate, influence and sell.
• Computer savvy – experience with Microsoft Office applications; ability to learn new systems and to abide by format defined by Marriott International.
• Excellent time management, self-management and self-motivation. Must be organizationally savvy with a keen focus on detail.
• Ability to maintain composure under pressure.
• Possess determination and commitment to achieve financial expectations
• Have deep desire to always produce quality results – taking pride in work.
• Flexible schedule to include evenings, weekends and holidays as dictated by business demands.
• An innate desire to exceed guest expectations and have an uncompromising approach to service and follow through.
• Candidates may be called upon to work extended workweeks, including weekends or holidays, to accommodate a client's needs as well as any functions they are overseeing.