Senior Catering Services Manager

Omni Hotels & Resorts•Fort Lauderdale, FL

About The Position

The Omni Ft. Lauderdale Hotel is a 29-story hotel, located at 1950 Eisenhower Blvd, and connected directly to the Broward County Convention. The property offers 801 guest rooms and suites, multiple restaurants, a vibrant rooftop bar, a sprawling pool, spa, and fitness center. The hotel has over 120,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, including a grand ballroom, junior ballroom, 25 breakout rooms and pre-function meeting space with waterfront views. SUMMARY This is a catering sales position specifically focused on direct sales-related duties. Some detailing will be required for events contracting within 2 weeks of arrival.

Requirements

Must have 3+ years’ experience as a Catering Sales Manager at a similar sized and type of hotel or hotel, with managing large groups, events, and conventions with size ranges of 2-1,000 guests in attendance
Proven ability to exceed catering sales goals of at least Expert in time management
Expert in front-facing customer service skills, such as patience and professionalism
Strong food and beverage knowledge as it relates to large scale events.
Expert in guiding customers with event setups and diagrams.
Strong knowledge and experience with events containing large, outsourced exhibits, drayage, and production companies
Demonstrated success in managing a wide range of complex events, including food shows, professional teams, government delegations, large-scale exhibits, and specialized group functions.
Ability to focus attention on guest needs while remaining calm and courteous at all times
Highly responsible & reliable
Strong interpersonal and problem-solving abilities
Strong ability to work independently, but ask for guidance when needed
Computer expert in Microsoft Window applications, Social Tables, FDC and Delphi
Ability to clearly and pleasantly communicate in English with guests, management and co-workers, written, verbally in person, and by telephone
Ability to accurately and efficiently input information into computer systems, with developed computer proficiencies. Delphi experience required. Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word required.
Ability to work cohesively and respectfully with co-workers both within and outside of your department
Ability to think clearly, quickly and make concise decisions
Ability to work well under pressure, dealing with many guest and manager requests/questions within a short period of time
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to prioritize and organize workload to ensure deadlines are met.
Ability to handle stressful situations, while maintaining a calm and welcoming and respectful demeanor.
Proven strong customer service focus with a passion for creating memorable and personalized guest experiences.
Must be able to work a variety of shifts, including early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Position requires the ability to sit and engage in repetitive motion, including utilizing telephone/computer for extended periods of time or for an entire shift.
Position requires the ability to move at a quick pace for extended periods of time.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and sit. The employee frequently is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel taste or smell; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Certified Meeting Planner [optional]

Responsibilities

Responds to incoming catering leads within a 24 hour timeframe (unless a lead is received on a Friday and the response must be back to the client by Monday Noon their time)
All leads must be presented at the daily DBR (Daily Business Review) outside of the catering free-sell window
Proactively identifies, qualifies, and solicits new business to achieve personal and resort revenue goals
Closes the best opportunities for the Resort based on the market conditions and hotel needs
Understands the overall market in which they sell (i.e.: competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand, etc.)
Effectively manage and develop relationships with key internal and external customers, ensuring a high degree of customer satisfaction
Builds and strengthens relationships with existing and new customers to include sales calls, FAM events, site inspections, etc.
Effectively uses sales resources and administrative/staff support
Generates contracts and creative proposals to meet customer needs
Provides accurate, complete, and effective turnover to event services
Can develop clear and effective market plans and action steps
Possesses effective communication skills
Presents ideas, expectations and information in a concise, well organized manner
Continues communications with catering contacts before, during and after all meetings to encourage rebook of business or to solicit other business within account.
Manager may be required to entertain outside of business hours.
Represent hotel at functions which are related to hotel sales and marketing efforts
Conduct site inspections, familiarization trips and other related functions to develop potential catering business
Maintain the highest ethical standards while representing Omni Hotels and Resorts
Maintain a thorough understanding and direct knowledge of hotel’s primary competitors
Achieve revenue sales goals presented for each quarter on a consistent basis.
Create and keep up to date banquet event orders, event resumes, and all other relevant event information if booking is within 2 weeks of arrival.
Assist with the creation of profitable menus and distribution of client expectations to Food & Beverage Departments.
Effectively coordinate efforts between Sales and Food & Beverage management.
Ensure that the department standards are met and that all company policies and procedures are adhered to.
Ensure that all departments meets all federal, state and local regulations affecting the hotel, Food & Beverage operation, its associates and guests.