Catering Sales Manager - Spartanburg Marriott

MPM Macon•Spartanburg, SC

20h

About The Position

The Catering Sales Manager handles local social catering opportunities and coordinates group business turned over by the Director of Sales. The role is responsible for achieving and exceeding hotel catering sales revenue goals by identifying and soliciting business, contracting and closing opportunities, maximizing revenue through upselling, and ensuring a timely, seamless handoff to operations for quality service delivery. The position implements the brand’s service strategy and initiatives throughout the sales process and builds customer loyalty through service excellence. It works closely with hotel Sales and Marketing, Food and Beverage, Events, Kitchen, and other departments, as well as vendors and local community partners, to develop catering plans, menus, and successful events. The manager supports revenue and operational budgets, forecasting, process improvements, and customer satisfaction.

Requirements

Excellent customer service skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to effectively present information to individuals or groups.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, Marriott systems, SFAweb, and CI/TY.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
Ability to communicate clearly.
Corrected vision to the normal range.
Ability to drive or transport oneself and others.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
Ability to make sound judgments quickly and manage multiple tasks while progressing toward deadlines.
Ability to work independently, take direction, and provide direction to others.
Ability to manage differing personalities within the office, hotel, and community.
Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality.
Ability to work effectively in stressful, high-pressure situations and anticipate, prevent, identify, and solve workplace challenges.

Nice To Haves

Four-year bachelor’s degree.
Catering sales and/or convention services experience.
Familiarity with local markets.

Responsibilities

Identify, qualify, and solicit new catering business to achieve personal and hotel revenue goals.
Manage local social catering sales efforts and respond to incoming hotel catering opportunities.
Coordinate definite group business and generate banquet event orders.
Process billing, rooming lists, and group resumes.
Solicit affiliate business associated with citywide events.
Understand market conditions, including competitors, economic trends, supply, and demand, and sell effectively in response.
Maximize revenue by upselling packages and creative food and beverage offerings.
Identify and implement process improvements and best practices.
Understand the hotel’s primary target customer and service expectations.
Support hotel performance by increasing revenue, controlling expenses, and providing a return on investment for the owner and business.
Close the best opportunities for the hotel based on market conditions and hotel needs, using negotiation and creative selling skills to negotiate contracts.
Design, develop, and sell creative catered events.
Develop and manage catering sales revenue and operating budgets and provide forecasting reports.
Identify, assist with selling, implement, and follow through on catering promotions.
Promote accountability and execute sales strategies, business processes, customer service standards, and brand standards.
Support operational aspects of booked business, including proposals, contracts, and customer correspondence.
Collaborate with property Sales and Marketing colleagues and other hotel departments to coordinate sales efforts.
Develop a close working relationship with hotel operations to ensure strategies are executed at the property.
Work with the management team to create and implement a catering sales plan addressing revenue, customers, and the market.
Work with the Food and Beverage team to develop menus that drive sales.
Interact effectively with vendors, competitors, the local community, catering associations, and hotel departments to support guest satisfaction.
Ensure a seamless turnover between sales and operations while consistently delivering a high level of service.
Understand customers’ businesses, issues, and concerns to offer appropriate solutions before and during events.
Deliver exemplary customer service before and during programs or events to drive satisfaction and loyalty.
Recommend features and services that meet or exceed customer needs and build customer relationships.
Monitor resolution of guest issues arising from the sales process and channel issues to property leadership or other appropriate stakeholders.
Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs.