Catering Sales Manager

Embassy Suites Chicago Naperville•Naperville, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Catering Manager will plan weddings, galas, fundraisers and other social functions. This role involves meeting and exceeding revenue and proactive sales activity goals with a profitable and win-win selling approach. The manager will acquire referrals from existing accounts and clients, and continually target and prospect for new business through telemarketing, individual creativity, community involvement, relationship building, and innovation. Maintaining well-documented, accurate, and organized client information is crucial for serving clients and the employer efficiently. Developing strong customer relationships through frequent communication and professional, courteous, and ethical interactions is key. Prompt follow-up on all customer needs and inquiries is expected. The role focuses on revenue-producing activities and maximizing selling time through direct sales efforts. The Catering Sales Manager will represent themselves and the hotel with the highest level of integrity and professionalism, a service-focused approach, and a caring, sincere attitude. A positive team attitude towards all hotel departments and open communication with co-workers are essential for overall hotel performance. The manager will contribute to the hotel's overall sales effort during planning and strategy phases through research and knowledgeable input. Active participation in community and trade organizations that benefit the hotel's exposure and bottom line is encouraged. Producing and distributing formal hotel communications such as BEOs and Resumes within agreed-upon internal deadlines is required. Close collaboration with the Banquet Manager and Banquet Captains is necessary to ensure and maintain service levels. The manager will greet customers at the start of every event and make proper introductions and hand-offs with the Event Operations team for execution. The ability to handle multiple customer and operational demands with professionalism and operate under time-sensitive deadlines is important. This role requires the ability to operate independently with a high degree of autonomy, excellent organization, time management skills, and self-motivation. Other duties as assigned or deemed necessary by management.

Requirements

Strong and effective sales skills.
Highly developed customer service skills.
Effective business writing and presentation skills.
Reliable transportation and ability to make outside sales calls.
Ability to work with clients to determine and anticipate needs of the event.
Ability to work in a fast pace work environment.
Ability to remain calm under pressure and deal with unexpected situations.
High school degree required.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Nice To Haves

Catering Sales experience in a hotel is preferred with a proven track record of success.
Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management or related field preferred.
Hilton and Delphi experience
Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) designation a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

Plan weddings, galas, fundraisers and other social functions.
Meet and exceed revenue and proactive sales activity goals with a profitable and win-win selling approach.
Acquire referrals from existing accounts and clients.
Continually target and prospect for new business through telemarketing, individual creativity, community involvement, relationship building and innovation.
Maintain well-documented, accurate, organized, and up-to-date client information.
Develop strong customer relationships through frequent communication and the use of professional, courteous, and ethical interpersonal interaction.
Promptly follow-up on all customer needs and inquiries in an efficient and expedient manner.
Focus on revenue-producing activities and maximize selling time by dedicating time on direct sales efforts.
Represent the hotel with the highest level of integrity and professionalism, a service-focused approach, and a caring, sincere attitude.
Exhibit a positive team attitude to all hotel departments and maintain open communication with all co-workers.
Contribute to the hotel's overall sales effort during planning and strategy phases through research and knowledgeable input.
Actively participate community and trade organizations that most benefit the hotel's exposure to the community and the hotel's bottom line.
Produce and distribute formal hotel communication such as BEOs, Resumes, etc. on a regular basis and within agreed upon internal deadlines.
Work closely as needed with the Banquet Manager and Banquet Captains to ensure and maintain levels of service.
Greet customers at the start of every event.
Make proper introduction and hand-off with the Event Operations team for the execution of details.
Handle multiple customer and operational demands with a high degree of professionalism, operating often with time sensitive deadlines.
Operate independently and with a high degree of autonomy requiring excellent organization, time management skills and self-motivation.
Perform other duties as assigned or deemed necessary by management.