Senior Catering Sales Executive

Marriott•Bloomington, MN

9d•$35 - $44

About The Position

The Senior Catering Sales Executive handles complex social and local corporate catering opportunities that exceed sales office parameters, such as events with 150 covers. The role provides day-to-day supervision to on-property catering sales associates, contracts and closes local catering and social business, and ensures bookings are turned over properly and promptly for quality service delivery. The position achieves catering revenue goals through active upselling, implements the brand’s service strategy and initiatives throughout the sales process, and builds customer loyalty through excellent service. The role manages property catering sales, develops business and revenue plans, designs catered events and menus, negotiates contracts, and coordinates with property operations and off-property sales channels. It also monitors guest satisfaction, supports budgets and forecasting, and helps ensure that Marriott and property service standards are consistently followed.

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

2 years of catering sales experience.

Responsibilities

Manage the property’s local corporate and social catering sales efforts and respond to incoming catering opportunities.
Identify, qualify, and solicit new catering business to achieve personal and property revenue goals, including eligible affiliate business associated with citywide events.
Assess market conditions, competitors, economic trends, supply, and demand, and select opportunities suited to property needs.
Negotiate and close business using creative selling abilities; prepare proposals, contracts, customer correspondence, and other booking documentation.
Work with the management team to create and implement a catering sales plan covering revenue, customers, and the market.
Design, develop, and sell creative catered events; develop menus and upsell packages and food and beverage offerings to maximize revenue.
Develop and manage catering sales revenue and operating budgets and provide forecasting reports.
Assist with selling, implementing, and following through on catering promotions.
Execute Marriott Customer Service Standards, hotel Brand Standards, and applicable daily service basics and brand initiatives.
Coordinate seamless turnover of booked business between sales and operations, and ensure timely handoff for quality service delivery.
Monitor and channel guest issues arising from the sales process to property leadership or other appropriate stakeholders, and monitor customer satisfaction before and during programs or events.
Maintain performance through revenue growth, expense control, and return on investment for the owner and Marriott International.
Handle complex social and local corporate catering opportunities above sales office parameters, such as events with 150 covers.
Provide day-to-day supervision to on-property catering sales associates.
Collaborate with off-property sales channels, including the Sales Office, Area Sales, and Enterprise Sales Team, to coordinate complementary sales efforts.
Work effectively with sales, kitchen, vendors, competitors, the local community, catering associations, and other hotel departments to monitor guest satisfaction.
Understand customer needs, business issues, and service expectations; recommend appropriate features and services and build customer relationships and loyalty.
Develop close working relationships with operations to execute property-level strategies.
Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs.