Director of Catering
About The Position
The primary role and responsibility of this position is to concentrate his/her effort in selling and servicing events that take place within the function and meeting spaces throughout the hotel. Key markets will include both Social Catering and Corporate Catering Sales. Focus on Social Market including Weddings, Galas, Holiday Parties and building a base of annual events + generating key wins/special events for the hotel to positively impact our Catering and Banquet revenues always with an eye towards profitability. Lead the hotel's catering sales efforts through strategy, innovation, collaboration, networking and driving standards. Assist with the budgeting and forecasting process both annually and monthly. Strong knowledge and passion for food & beverage are required. Conduct sales visits and maintain good working relationship with clients including meeting planners, corporate events team and third-party planners. Handle inquiries + prepare proposals and contracts in a timely fashion. To concentrate his/her effort in selling food, beverage, meeting room rental and ancillary services. Prepare Banquet Event Orders and Floor Plans with accuracy + attention to detail and timeliness. Ensure that billing is correct and that payment is collected for all events. Always looking out for the best interest of the hotel, guests, staff and ownership. Conduct sales visits and site inspections. Develop new markets and sources of business through proactive efforts. Conduct proactive selling activities and to stay on top of industry trends. Participate in daily business review meeting and other hotel meetings as appropriate. Come up with new ideas on products and marketing of product such as meeting packages and promotional offers. Regular attendance in conformance with the standards, which may be established by the hotel from time to time, is essential to the successful performance of this position. Assimilate into Lotte New York Palace culture through understanding, supporting and participating in all elements of pride and care. Demonstrate working knowledge of the service standards. Work closely with Transient Sales team, Group Sales Team and Meetings & Events Team to generate referral business. Maintain close communication with members of the sales and wider hotel team as necessary. Follow up with clients and coordinate with internal operations departments until contract is signed. Provide regular updates on competitors' offers and market intelligence and shares the information with sales team.
Requirements
- Four year college degree required.
- 5 years of experience in a luxury hotel sales department or equivalent.
- Prior management experience.
- Thorough knowledge of sales operations, product knowledge, and competition.
- Proficiency in traditional software programs such as MS Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint and/or Outlook Express and Salesforce/Delphi FDC.
- Well organized and a good planner.
- Professional appearance.
- Ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing, with guests and employees.
- Interpersonal skills to provide overall guest satisfaction.
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and proactive.
- Ability to create, adjust, and work with budgets.
- A passion for food, beverage, and special events.
Nice To Haves
- Successful achievement in past sales goals is a definite advantage.
- Contribute to the continual growth and development of managers and employees.
Responsibilities
- Selling and servicing events within the hotel's function and meeting spaces.
- Focusing on the Social Market including Weddings, Galas, Holiday Parties, and building a base of annual events.
- Generating key wins/special events to positively impact Catering and Banquet revenues with an eye towards profitability.
- Leading catering sales efforts through strategy, innovation, collaboration, networking, and driving standards.
- Assisting with the budgeting and forecasting process (annually and monthly).
- Conducting sales visits and maintaining good working relationships with clients.
- Handling inquiries and preparing proposals and contracts.
- Selling food, beverage, meeting room rental, and ancillary services.
- Preparing Banquet Event Orders and Floor Plans with accuracy, attention to detail, and timeliness.
- Ensuring billing accuracy and payment collection for all events.
- Conducting sales visits and site inspections.
- Developing new markets and sources of business through proactive efforts.
- Conducting proactive selling activities and staying on top of industry trends.
- Participating in daily business review meetings and other hotel meetings.
- Developing new product ideas and marketing strategies, such as meeting packages and promotional offers.
- Assimilating into the Lotte New York Palace culture and demonstrating working knowledge of service standards.
- Working closely with Transient Sales, Group Sales, and Meetings & Events Teams to generate referral business.
- Maintaining close communication with sales and wider hotel teams.
- Following up with clients and coordinating with internal operations departments until contracts are signed.
- Providing regular updates on competitors' offers and market intelligence to the sales team.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
