Catering Sales Manager

About the role

Responsible for the management and planning of meetings/conventions and related activities at The Nines, Portland, a historic hotel operated by Sage Hospitality. The role involves coordinating group business, leading event delivery, maintaining documentation, developing customer relationships, and driving revenue‑generating activities.

Responsibilities

• Attend Banquet Event Order (BEO) meetings, staff meetings and act as team leader for hotel department staff participating in event delivery.
• Achieve minimum 90% of productivity goals and 100% of activity goals as set by management.
• Coordinate all group business developed by the sales manager.
• Contact and follow up on all signed/contracted business within 5 working days.
• Determine and coordinate all event planning needs.
• Maintain well documented, accurate, organized and up‑to‑date file management to serve clients and employer efficiently.
• Develop customer profiles and maintain an effective trace system (trace dates and references) for superior account service and increased revenues.
• Develop strong customer relationships through professional, courteous and ethical communication.
• Follow up on client needs and inquiries efficiently.
• Focus on revenue‑generating activity, retain accounts/clients, maximize account yield and sales effectiveness.
• Detail and upsell programs with clients, verifying and modifying space requirements, audio‑visual, timing, equipment, menus, themes/decorations, etc.
• Prepare appropriate resumes and paperwork to ensure quality service.
• Manage function details and related activities to satisfy program requirements.
• Anticipate and handle customer complaints/problems to ensure quality delivery, satisfaction and repeat business.
• Oversee all billing details for hotel groups: deposits, direct bill applications, credit card authorizations, coordination with accounting.
• Participate in development of new sales tools/systems, analyze competitors’ products, and understand customer needs to improve convention services.
• Monitor and control individual client event budgets and details to maximize revenues and minimize expenses while ensuring quality delivery.
• Attend and lead pre‑conference meetings as needed; coordinate pre‑con between client and hotel staff and review BEO details with all parties.
• Close out groups: final pickup reports, commissions owed, processing with accounting.

Requirements

• More than two years of post‑high‑school education.
• One to two full years of employment in a related position (with this company or other organization).
• Working knowledge of banquet/catering food and beverage services, policies or operations.
• Knowledge of computer equipment.
• Ability to compile facts and figures according to established procedures.
• Supervisory skills.
• Communication skills to provide information and associated services to hotel management and guests.
• Excellent hearing for verbal interaction with guests and associates.
• Excellent vision to view set‑ups.
• Excellent speech communication skills for verbal interaction with guests and associates.
• Physical demands: lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying tables, chairs, boxes (up to 50 lb.) occasionally; bending/kneeling for taping down cords, skirting tables, picking up floor after function occasionally; mobility to service.

Benefits

• Unlimited time off per Sage policy and manager approval.
• Medical, Vision, Dental and Retirement Benefits: eligible to enroll in medical insurance with employer covering up to 70% of premiums with wellness credit.
• Eligible to enroll in dental insurance with employer contribution towards premiums & vision insurance.
• Eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) program with up to 4% employer match, meeting safe harbor requirements and no vesting period.
• Eligible to enroll in Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with qualifying medical plans and receive up to $1,000 company contribution.
• Eligible to enroll in Health, Dependent and Commuter Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Company paid Basic Life and AD&D insurance coverage, with option to enroll in supplemental coverage.
• Eligible to enroll for short‑term and long‑term disability insurance coverage.
• Eligible to purchase Pet Insurance, Accidental Insurance, Critical Insurance and Hospital Indemnity Insurance.
• WINFertility guidance for those enrolled in Sage medical plan.
• Other Benefits: complimentary cafeteria, $50 TriMet monthly subsidy or parking stipend, Calm Health Application Subscription, Employee assistance program, paid time off for vacation, sick time, and