Catering Sales Manager

4 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Seeking a Catering Manager that has a passion for outside sales and events who can solicit new business, foster relationships with existing businesses, and skillfully build bridges to bring former businesses back.

The details of this position in the description below are not limited to the functions listed. You may be required to perform additional reasonable duties according to business needs.

• The Catering Manager solicits and responds to sales inquiries from potential clients and customers seeking sleeping rooms, meeting space, food and beverage services, etc.
• Identifies, solicits and develops new business through obtaining accounts from reader board service, direct sales from existing accounts and contacting new customers in the market.
• Solicitation of new and existing business should be performed through a combination of outside sales calls, appointments, telemarketing, social media, site tours, constant prospecting and networking.
• Serves as primary contact for meeting and banquet functions to ensure all preparations have been made as detailed on Banquet Event Orders (BEO). Last‑minute needs and changes are responded to expediently.
• The Catering Manager handles all details of definite groups including menu planning, AV requirements, processing BEOs, and obtaining guarantees, distributing group resumes, VIPs, rooming lists and billing.
• Secures new accounts in the assigned market segment to contribute to enhancing, maximizing and maintaining a healthy portfolio of accounts.
• Attends and facilitates weekly BEO meetings with Food and Beverage staff.
• Participates in industry events, trade shows and promotional events with the target market.
• Maintains relationships with assigned accounts through regular sales calls, client entertainment, site inspections and consistent follow‑up (using traces in Delphi).
• Understands the competitive landscape and does what it takes to secure business that meets or exceeds revenue expectations and profit goals.
• Is responsible for the implementation of a sales action plan for the development of a market segment, which includes room blocks, telephone/direct‑mail solicitation, trade‑show participation and property tours.
• Proactively pursues sales activities on a weekly basis to align with achieving monthly budget, individual and team goals.
• Meets or exceeds established monthly, quarterly and annual targeted revenue and monthly solicitation goals.
• Attends weekly staff meetings to review group resumes and communicates all pertinent information about upcoming group needs, VIP clients and meeting functions to hotel department staff.
• Reconciles group bills with clients for approval.
• Has the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and customers.

Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, employees may be required to work varying schedules (including holidays and weekends) to reflect the business needs of the hotel. Attendance at all scheduled training sessions and meetings is required.

• Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments.
• Communications – Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally and in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
• Managing Customer Focus – Promotes customer focus; establishes customer service standards; monitors customer satisfaction; develops new approaches to meeting customer needs. Strong ability to deal with internal and external customers, some of whom require high levels of patience, tact and diplomacy, and identifies need and appropriate catering and event accommodations.
• Business Acumen – Understands business implications of decisions; displays orientation to profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; aligns work with strategic goals.
• Sales Skills – Achieves sales goals; overcomes objections…