Catering Sales Manager

Mandarin Oriental, New York is a stunning fusion of modern design with stylish oriental flair, featuring 244 elegant guestrooms and suites—all with breathtaking views of Manhattan and Five-Star hospitality. Luxurious amenities include MO Lounge, all-day dining overlooking Central Park and the Manhattan skyline; a 14,500 square-foot Five-Star Mandarin Oriental Spa; and a state-of-the-art fitness center with a 75-foot lap pool. The hotel also offers premium meeting and event space, including a 6,000 square-foot pillar-less ballroom with three walls of windows overlooking Central Park.

About the role

Based at the Mandarin Oriental New York within the Catering Office in New York City, the Catering Sales Manager is responsible for contracting, producing, and executing all food and beverage-only events in the Banquet Space. The Catering Sales Manager reports to the Director of Catering.

Responsibilities

• Support the company’s philosophy and culture through the use of Pillars of Legendary Quality Experience, Departmental Legendary Quality Experiences, and Guiding Principles (D.E.L.I.G.H.T) to ensure guest satisfaction and achieve the mission statement.
• Conduct walkthroughs and site visits of the Banquet Space.
• Follow up on inquiries and prepare proposals and negotiate contracts for prospective clients.
• Determine appropriate food and beverage selections, room layout, décor, and audio-visual needs with clients for each group.
• Manage events ranging from 10 to 750 people.
• Generate Banquet Event Orders and floor plans for events.
• Coordinate event details with Banquet Managers and Culinary Staff.
• Daily solicitation of new accounts and entertainment of meeting and social event planners.
• Participate in meetings: Morning Operations Briefing, Morning Huddle, Resume Meeting, Banquet Event Order, Pre-Con, and Menu Tastings.
• Maintain an active trace/follow-up system on all inquiries and personal sales calls.
• Be fully versed in the facilities and capabilities of the hotel’s competitive set.
• Maintain a visible presence in the community through involvement with industry associations.
• Identify opportunities to optimize performance and create value by challenging existing processes, encouraging innovation, and driving necessary change.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming.
• Generate a Summary of Charges for clients and ensure payment is received for both deposits and final payments prior to events.
• Input food and beverage figures into Salesforce to assist in budgeting and annual projections.
• Meet monthly sales forecasts with a results-driven mindset and a track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets.

Requirements

• Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to multitask and prioritize accordingly.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Fluent in English.
• Computer literate—proficient in HMS, Salesforce, and Cvent (Allseated).
• College degree.
• Flexibility in scheduling, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and on-call availability during major events.
• 2–5+ years of experience in conference services or hotel operations.
• Knowledge of banquet operations, audiovisual requirements, and event logistics.
• Well-groomed and professional in appearance and manner for client interactions.
• Well-versed in events and food & beverage financial aspects.
• Takes initiative and can multitask under pressure while managing concurrent events.
• Strong attention to detail and interpersonal and guest relations abilities.
• Flexible, dynamic, and positive demeanor.
• Ability to work on-site, including some evenings and weekends, as required by event schedules.

Benefits

• Learning & Development: Unique learning and development programs tailored to various career stages to foster continuous growth.
• MOstay: Complimentary nights and attractive rates on rooms worldwide for you and your loved ones.
• Health & Colleague Wellness: A variety of health benefits and wellness programs to support work-life balance.
• Retirement Plans: Different retirement plans based on length of service and role.

Pay

Salary range: $85,000 to $98,000 yearly, plus a competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and 401(K).