Catering Sales Manager

MCR Hotels•Miami, FL

About The Position

The Catering Sales Manager is accountable for proactively soliciting and handling catering sales opportunities. Ensures business is turned over properly and in a timely fashion for service delivery. Conducts day-to-day activities related to catering sales with a focus on building long-term, value-based customer relationships that enable achievement of sales objectives. Collaborate with the operations team to develop and implement cutting-edge, comprehensive plans for groups and events. Oversee the events efforts for the hotel. Lead by example and mentor team members to effectively implement smart strategies. Nurture and grow client relationships through upselling and proactive customer service once contracts have been signed and handed over to the events team. Plan, organize, and manage all aspects of events and group meetings from conception to completion, including menu and room set planning, audio visual, logistics, equipment rentals, tastings, menus, themes, walkthroughs, participation on the floor during event service, invoicing, and follow-up. Ensure MCR Events SOPS are followed and completed accurately. Maintain accurate, organized, and up-to-date file management system in order to quickly and effectively meet clients and colleagues’ needs; utilizing Delphi to trace all daily activities and correspondence with clients to ensure prompt responses. Identify and act on business opportunities through a constant pursuit of knowledge about market trends, competition, and customers. Communicate accurately and effectively in verbal and written form with guests and associates so as to respond accurately and completely to people to give directions, instructions, information, answer questions and provide service as required. Work to continuously improve customer service by integrating obtained feedback into action plans. Negotiate with clients for banquets, meetings and other functions, all arrangements, suggesting menus, bar set up, room arrangements as per policy and procedure. On completion of negotiations, inform other departments of arrangements in writing which are necessary to assure success of the function. Understand the impact of Banquet operations on the overall success of the hotel. The Catering Sales Manager at Hilton Miami Blue Lagoon will be responsible for preparing all event documentation and coordinating with Sales, property departments, and guests to ensure consistent, high-level service throughout the pre-event, event, and post event phases of property events. Additionally, this role ensures for a seamless turnover from sales to service back to sales and recognizes opportunities to maximize revenue by upselling and offering enhancements to create outstanding events.

Requirements

Must have a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
Must be able to understand and follow established guidelines and procedures.
Must be able to evaluate and select among alternative courses of action quickly and accurately.
Must work well in stressful, high-pressure situations and maintain composure and objectivity under pressure.
Must be effective at listening to, understanding, clarifying, and resolving the concerns and issues raised by co-workers and guests.
Must be able to work with and understand financial information and data, and basic arithmetic functions.
Must be attentive to detail and meet deadlines.
Must be proficient in Windows operating systems, Company approved spreadsheets and word processing.
Must be able to convey information and ideas clearly.
Leads team members to always provide friendly service with a smile to guests.
Must meet the legal age to serve alcoholic beverages (at select properties).
A valid Driver's License is required.
Basic market knowledge.
Must be 18 years of age or older to perform this job.
Must be willing to work a varied schedule that may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays based upon the demands of the hotel.
High school degree (or equivalency) with Hotel/College training preferred
Solid understanding of banquet revenue generation
Creative and innovative, as well as proactive and customer-oriented
High energy and outgoing personality
Organizational skills and attention to detail
Diplomatic team player
Excellent communication skills both written and oral
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, event management software and customer management platform
Excellent time management
Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
An aptitude for self-motivation
A can-do attitude and a hands-on approach
A flexible schedule that allows availability days, nights, holidays, and weekends based on the demands of the hotel

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's or Associates degree is preferred.
Experience in a hospitality, service, consumer-facing franchise or related field preferred.
Previous Restaurant or Hotel Food and Beverage experience preferred

Responsibilities

Solve problems and suggest alternatives to previous arrangements if necessary
Lead pre-event and post-event meetings for assigned groups
Identify operational challenges associated with groups and works with the property team members and guests to solve these challenges and develop alternative solutions as needed
Manage client budgets to maximize revenue and meet client needs
Oversee guest experience from file turnover through the post event phase until the turnover back to Sales Department
Manage group room blocks and meeting space for assigned groups
Adhere to all standards, policies, and procedures
Celebrate successes and publicly recognizes the contributions of team members
Up-sell products and services throughout the event process
Participate in customer site inspections and assists with the sales process when needed
Act as liaison between salesperson and client throughout the event process
Manage revenue and profitability associated with events
Forecast group sleeping rooms and event revenue for groups
Review billing and payments with clients
Handle guest problems and complaints
Greet client during the event phase and hand-off to the operations team for the execution of details
Strive to improve service performance
Set a positive example for guest relations
Coordinate and communicate verbally and in writing with customer (internal and external) regarding event details