Area Sales Manager ("Gerente de Ventas del Area")

Hotel Cerro•San Luis Obispo, CA

11d•$80,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Area Sales Manager is responsible for generating regional catering revenue through prospecting, booking, and managing local corporate and social events across multiple locations or within a designated territory. They serve as the primary point of contact for client contracts, menu planning, and upselling initiatives, while ensuring high service standards and collaborating with on-site teams to guarantee successful event execution. Additionally, they focus on developing new accounts, maintaining existing accounts, and implementing sales and marketing strategies to maximize the hotel's profitability while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction, and consistently meeting or exceeding forecasted and budgeted revenue goals.

Requirements

Must be able to travel on occasion, as needed.
Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand the primary language used in the workplace.
Requires good communication skills, verbal, written and electronic.
Considerable knowledge of complex mathematical calculations and computer programs.
Must have excellent leadership capability and customer relations skills.
Must be detail oriented with outstanding organizational and communication skills.
Must possess intermediate computer skills.
Must Possess basic computational skills.
Knowledge of computer programs, math skills as well as budgetary analysis capabilities required.
Ability to analyze, foresee user needs, and makes judgments to ensure proper tools are provided at property level.
Ability to effectively deal with internal and external customers some of whom will require high levels of patience, tact and diplomacy and collect accurate information to resolve conflicts.
Knowledgeable about basic function of Windows OS, MS Office, PMS, PBX, Key system, and POS.
Self-driven and able to work independently
Exceptionally strong in issue resolution and proven analytical skills with a strong attention to detail
Ability to provide and maintain a valid driver’s license as the position may require the operation of motorized and electric vehicles.

Nice To Haves

Three years’ experience in Sales and/or catering in hospitality industry preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage group and catering accounts to maximize business potential.
Recruits, trains, and schedules team members for the catering and sales department.
Conduct performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and address disciplinary concerns as necessary, including staff members' recommendations and decision regarding employment status with the company.
Manage banquet managers and providing direction and leadership coordinating with the culinary team
Training and event detailing and operational handoff to numerous departments
Preparing team members for future sales leadership roles
Managing and directing the sales specialists at both properties
Reviewing performance with banquet team at the conclusion of events
Negotiate group and catering business and contracts that meet or exceed hotel revenue goals.
Negotiate contracts, ensuring that all pertinent aspects of solicitation and closing are complete and documented.
Make on-site and field presentations to prospective clients.
Identify opportunities to up sell customer through food & beverage offerings, room upgrades, AV and lighting upgrades and spa services, if applicable.
Drive strategies to develop long term business relationships and repeat business.
Enthusiastically and proactively sell the Hotel concept to group and catering prospects in a way that best illustrates the identity of the brand as innovative and new.
Prospect for new catering business using a wide variety of methods including phone calls, outside sales calls, trade shows, attending community functions, blitzes, internet prospecting, supplier partnerships, etc.
Develop long term business relationships and consistently book repeat business.
Conduct unique site inspections that create a WOW experience for the customer.
Create customized Wedding Packages, Menus, and proposals, etc.
Respond to all customer inquiries within 24 hours or sooner
Maintain accurate information on all bookings, specifically program details, client correspondence, traces, and to-do lists.
Follow proper event management procedures for event execution to include but not limited to BEO creation, F&B forecasting, resume communication, amenity/VIP designation and room block management.
Produce and distribute accurate banquet/catering event orders, timelines, diagrams, and resumes within timeframe set by hotel.
Coordinate, plan and implement wedding-related marketing tactics and events.
Produce and distribute 10-day Event Schedule and BEO Packet, as well as Daily Events Schedule.
Lead weekly 10-day BEO, and daily 3-day BEO readings.
Provide client support to include processing client leads, investigating hotel and preferred guest program issues, and acquiring or sending collateral materials.
Provide hotel support to include following up on outstanding responses, calling, faxing, and emailing clients with responses and answering requests.
Report generation as needed.
Maintains liaison with other hotel departments to facilitate services agreed upon by the sales office and prospective clients.
Be an active part of the property team supporting and developing the desired Azul Hospitality culture.
Drive product quality and a unique guest experience at every opportunity.
Take pride in the overall look and feel of the hotel never walking past something out of place.
Maintain a refreshing attitude focused on positive friendly interactions with guests and staff.
Develop and maintain strong interdepartmental relationships and open communication lines to assure efficient transfer of information.
Schedule meetings and business group activities at the hotel.
Be familiar with all company policies and benefits.
Assist with any guest inquiry.
Follow all company and safety and security policies and procedures.
Report maintenance problems, safety hazards, accidents, or injuries.
Complete safety training and certifications.
Ensure uniform and personal appearance are clean and professional, maintain confidentiality of proprietary information, and protect company assets.
Develop and maintain positive working relationships with others.
Ensure adherence to quality expectations and standards; and identify, recommend, develop, and implement new ways to increase organizational efficiency, productivity, quality, safety, and/or cost-savings.
Perform other reasonable job duties as requested by direct and indirect Supervisors.