Catering Sales Manager

About the role

The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for contracting and closing local catering and social business, turning it over properly and in a timely way so that quality service can be delivered. The role achieves catering revenue goals by up-selling each opportunity and implements the brand's service strategy and initiatives across the sales process, driving customer loyalty through service excellence.

Key responsibilities

• Manage sales for the hotel, including local corporate and social catering, and coordinate with off-property sales channels such as the Sales Office, Area Sales and EST so that efforts are complementary and not duplicative.
• Respond to incoming catering opportunities, identify and qualify new business, understand the market and competitors, and close the best opportunities using negotiation and creative selling.
• Design and sell creative catered events, up-sell packages and food and beverage, and manage catering sales revenue and operation budgets with forecasting reports.
• Develop menus that drive sales and execute the operational side of booked business, such as proposals, contracts and customer correspondence.
• Monitor guest issues arising from the sales process and channel them to property leadership or other stakeholders.
• Work with sales, kitchen, vendors, competitors, the local community and catering associations, and uphold the company's customer service standards and the hotel's brand standards.
• Understand the target customer's business and needs, recommend the right features and services, and build loyalty.
• Control expenses and deliver a return on investment for the owner and the company.

Required profile

• High school diploma or GED, with 2 years of experience in sales and marketing, guest services, front desk or a related profession.
• Or a 2-year degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Marketing, Hotel and Restaurant Management or a related major; no work experience required.