Catering Sales Manager
A Catering Sales Manager is responsible for soliciting and responding to companies and organizations to purchase food and beverage, rent meeting space and ancillary services from the hotel. Coordinates the prompt, courteous and efficient delivery of those products to satisfy the customer's service needs and to maximize the hotel's profits.
What will I be doing?
As a Catering Sales Manager, you are responsible for performing the following tasks to the highest standards:
- Manages customer relationship through drafting proposals and contracts, responding to customer inquiries, as well as organizing arrangements as they relate to social and corporate events ie: set-up and execution of social and corporate meetings, meals and special events. Provides direction and supervision of meeting and/or catering logistics to catering and event services team and other departments and team members responsible for event execution.
- Ensures contract agrements are executed correctly and any variance on clauses approved by the Director of Catering and Events or the Director of Sales and Marketing.
- Ensures forms of payment are collected as needed and that all events have the deposits and payments up to date.
- Represents the hotel and conducts conferences with individual customers by telephone or in-person to solicit and close group and local catering business. Meets with and entertains customers, conducts property tours and promotes facilities and services and within parameters, has discretion to negotiate contracts with customers as per guidelines established in the department.
- Provides support to Catering Sales and Banquet teams in planning and on site execution of large events.
- Prepares Food & Beverage reports on conventions, prepare F &B forecast form for the following month,
- Interacts with hotel staff to communicate client needs (i.e. Special menus, floor set up, AV).
- Audits customer checks and department charges and files to ensure accuracy.
- Supervises staff in creation and distribution of accurate written materials.
- Ensures that contracts, menus, letters and reports are completed according to Hilton standards and policies.
- Re-book functions and follow-up with customers.
- Compiles Food and Beverage post event report.
- Compiles banquets forecast.
- Develops target lists and action plans for account solicitation.
- Document solicitation calls and produce trace sheets.
- Attends weekly sales departmental meeting and other scheduled meetings to support business operations.
What are we looking for?
- Minimum 4 years’ experience as a Catering Sales Manager in a resort or hotel
- Ability to work flexible hours - any day and time based on event schedule
A Catering Sales Manager serving Hilton brands is always working on behalf of our Guests and working with other Team Members. To successfully fill this role, you should maintain the attitude, behaviours, skills, and values that follow:
- Positive attitude and good communication skills
- Commitment to delivering a high level of customer service
- Excellent grooming standards
- Strong leadership skills, whereas it is evident that you can effectively manage and motivate a team to perform beyond expectations
- Strong analytical skills so to understand key business indicators and competitive trends and develop approaches to these challenges
- Excellent selling capabilities and the ability and desire to coach selling techniques to Team Members
- Excellent organisational and planning skills
- Experience in a similar role with a proven track record
It would be advantageous in this position for you to demonstrate the following capabilities and distinctions:
- Knowledge of local, regional and international meetings and events market
- Sound knowledge and experience of wedding market
- Knowledge of hospitality
- Passion for sales and for achieving targets and objectives
- Degree-level qualification in a relevant field
What will it be like to work for Hilton?
Hilton is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For nearly a century, Hilton has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. Hilton is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Our vision “to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality” unites us as a team to create remarkable hospitality experiences around the world every day. And, our amazing Team Members are at the heart of it all!