Director of Social Catering Sales

Description

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of Social Catering Sales to join our team. This role is pivotal in driving our catering sales strategy, managing social and wedding events, and ensuring financial success through meticulous forecasting and budgeting

Essential Job Functions

• Sales Strategy:Develop and implement innovative catering sales strategies to maximize revenue and market share.
• Forecasting & Budgeting:Prepare accurate sales forecasts and budgets, monitor financial performance, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Market Analysis:Conduct market research to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive landscape.
• Client Relations:Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, understanding their needs and providing personalized solutions.
• Event Management:Oversee the planning and execution of social and wedding events, ensuring each occasion is flawlessly executed and exceeds client expectations.
• Team Leadership:Lead, mentor, and inspire the catering sales team to achieve and surpass sales targets.
• Collaboration:Work closely with other departments, including marketing, banquet, operations, and culinary, to ensure seamless event execution.
• Brand Ambassador:Uphold the hotels brand standards and promote our unique lifestyle experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering sales, preferably in a luxury or lifestyle hotel setting.
• Strong understanding of event planning, particularly social and wedding events.
• Excellent financial acumen with experience in forecasting and budgeting.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Creative thinker with a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proven track record of business client sales history and strong community connections required.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Direct the day-to-day activities of the catering team. Advise staff of formal policies and procedures.
• Recommend and/or initiate salary, disciplinary, or other staffing/human resources-related actions in accordance with Company rules and policies. Alert management of potentially serious issues.
• Establish client base of organizations, associations and commercial business through direct outside sales efforts for the purpose of securing business for the hotel. Accurately produce and/or review all sales contracts, rate agreements, and/or banquet/catering event orders.
• Develop, train and motivate a catering team that is responsible for developing new accounts, maintaining existing accounts, and implementing catering strategies to achieve catering revenue goals and maximize profits for the hotel, while maintaining guest satisfaction. Develop and maintain relationships with key clients in support of food & beverage sales, and catering/banquet services.
• Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines. Work closely with Executive Chef on menu design and concepts pricing for catering events.
• Achieve budgeted revenues and personal sales goals. Assist management in the preparation of the annual departmental operating budget, and financial plans which support the overall objectives of the hotel. Complete forecasts, plans, and sales production reports.
• Identify operational problems that impact the effectiveness of overall catering sales performance and work closely with appropriate Departments on solutions.
• Conduct banquet and catering facility tours and entertain clients in accordance with company and property policy.
• Assist clients with menu planning, food and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decoration options, etc. Arrange all details of conventions and or catering events to include room set-ups, staging, lighting, audiovisual, traffic flow, menus, dcor, entertainment, group room blocks, VIP services, and approved method of payment.
• Review daily posting of charges, resolve any discrepancies in a timely manner. Follow-up to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Plan and conduct pre-event and post-event meeting with clients, guests, and catering staff.
• Handles payroll and all payroll related items for both Catering and Conference Services and Banquet Departments
• Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments. Key departmental contacts include Executive Chef, other sales staff, Banquet Department and/or convention services staff, and other hotel Executive Committee members.
• Interact with outside contacts:
  • Guests to ensure their total satisfaction
  • Vendors to arrange services
  • Other contacts as needed (Professional organizations, community groups)
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• May serve as manager on duty when required.

Qualifications

What we need from you:

Bachelors degree in marketing or related field or equivalent, and 3 years experience in a catering setting or related field, with direct supervisory experience over a sales/catering team, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience. Must speak fluent English. Other languages preferred.

This job requires ability to perform the following:

• Frequently standing up or moving within and outside of the facility
• Carrying or lifting items weighing up to 25 pounds
• Handling objects
• Bending, stooping, kneeling

Other:

• Communication skills are utilized a significant amount of time when interacting with others; demonstrated ability to interact with guests, employees and third parties that reflects highly on the hotel, the brand and the Company.
• Reading and writing abilities are utilized often when completing paperwork and management reports, interpreting results, giving and receiving instructions, and training.
• Mathematical skills, including basic math, budgeting, profit/loss concepts, percentages, and variances are utilized frequently.
• Problem-solving, reasoning, motivating, organizational, and training abilities are used often.
• Ability to travel to attend workshops, tradeshows, conventions, etc.
• It may require a valid Drivers License.
• May be required to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays.