Catering Sales Executive (NE)

Marriott•Plano, TX

11h•$29 - $38

About The Position

The Catering Sales Executive handles social and local corporate catering opportunities that exceed the parameters of the Group Sales teams and come directly to the property, such as events with 150 covers or more. The role manages local corporate and social catering sales, contracts and closes business, and ensures a timely, seamless handoff to operations for quality service delivery. The executive works to achieve catering revenue goals by actively up-selling, designing creative catered events, developing sales-driving menus, and supporting catering promotions. The role implements Marriott service and brand standards throughout the sales process and builds customer loyalty through service excellence. The position collaborates with property management, operations, sales teams, kitchen staff, vendors, competitors, the local community, catering associations, and other hotel departments. It monitors customer satisfaction and guest issues, uses market knowledge and negotiation skills to close appropriate business, and manages catering revenue and operating budgets while providing forecasts. Marriott describes its culture as welcoming and inclusive, with opportunities for training, development, recognition, camaraderie, and holistic well-being in a luxury hospitality environment.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

Catering sales experience.

Responsibilities

Handle social and local corporate catering opportunities above the Group Sales teams’ parameters that come directly to the property, such as events of 150 covers or more.
Manage the property’s sales efforts for local corporate and social catering.
Respond to incoming hotel catering opportunities and identify, qualify, and solicit new business to meet personal and property revenue goals.
Solicit affiliate business associated with citywide events from the approved list provided by the Citywide Sales Executive.
Understand market conditions, including competitors, economic trends, supply, and demand, and sell effectively within that market.
Select and close business opportunities based on market conditions and property needs; negotiate contracts using creative selling and negotiation skills.
Work with the management team to create and implement a catering sales plan addressing revenue, customers, and the market.
Design, develop, and sell creative catered events; develop menus that drive sales; and maximize revenue by up-selling packages and food and beverage offerings.
Manage catering sales revenue and operating budgets and provide forecasting reports.
Assist with selling, implementing, and following through on catering promotions.
Execute and support Marriott Customer Service Standards, property Brand Standards, and applicable daily service basics.
Support the operational aspects of booked business, including proposals, contracts, and customer correspondence.
Ensure a seamless and timely turnover of business between sales and operations while maintaining high service levels.
Monitor resolution of guest issues arising from the sales process by channeling them to property leadership or appropriate stakeholders.
Monitor performance through revenue growth, expense control, and return on investment for the owner and Marriott International.
Contract and close local catering and social business and confirm that booked business is properly handed over for quality service delivery.
Implement the brand’s service strategy and applicable initiatives throughout the sales process and drive customer loyalty through service excellence.
Coordinate with off-property sales channels, including Group Sales, Area Sales, and the Enterprise Sales Team, to ensure sales efforts are complementary and not duplicative.
Work effectively with sales, kitchen, vendors, competitors, the local community, catering associations, and other hotel departments to maintain guest satisfaction.
Deliver customer service that supports satisfaction and loyalty by assisting customers and monitoring satisfaction before and during programs or events.
Understand customer needs and recommend appropriate features and services that meet or exceed expectations while building customer relationships and loyalty.
Understand the property’s primary target customer and service expectations and develop a close working relationship with operations to execute property-level strategies.