Social Catering Sales Manager

Position Summary

We are currently looking for a Social Catering Sales Manager to join our brilliant team. This person will be responsible for selling, planning, and executing all of the social events including weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs of the banquet space in the Hotel as well as the sleeping room blocks associated with weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs. This position will report directly to the Director of Catering Sales.

Essential Functions

• Event Planning & Execution
• Respond to inquiries and leads regarding all types of social catering events and wedding and bar/bat mitzvah sleeping room block requests.
• Proactively interact with customers/leads; as a representative of the Hotel, it's important that the Manager responds promptly and professionally, whether by phone or email, throughout the entire planning and pre-event process, and creates written communication confirming all details discussed.
• Develop proposals, including menu, rentals, service, creative needs, and contract terms, taking customer's vision and budget into account. Ensures the quotes are correct and helps/supervises to ensure all the details are captured correctly prior to and day of special events.
• Follow through and oversee all the aspects of events, such as ordering of rentals, linen, floral/décor if necessary as well as client/guest interaction.
• Develop Event orders and floor plans as well as cover sheets to help streamline event planning & execution from start to finish
• Also confirms event with the customer and makes arrangements and gets the proper deposit and payment as per the signed and agreed agreement.
• Business Development
• Research & solicit potential leads for new business.
• Develops networks and relationships with Local Community, Chamber of Commerce, CVB, social networking groups and find avenues to build new business and retain existing business.
• Provide sales activity logs and communicate weekly on Catering Activity.
• Achieves monthly solicitation, site visit and outside sales calls as required in order to achieve monthly and quarterly assigned revenue goals.
• Attends area Expos (Wedding, Quincenera) to gain leads and positively represent the hotel
• Setup and host tastings/sales presentations at client's location or convenience.
• Develop and maintain relationships with leads through the entire sales process, and continuing as they become repeat customers.
• Contribute to other marketing efforts, email newsletters, social media, etc.
• Maintain, strengthen and keep up to date the hotel's presence on the Wedding Wire and THE KNOT websites
• Knowledge of CI/TY (Marriott's booking tool) is helpful as is knowledge of Marriott Brand Standards

Education & Experience

• The Position of Social Catering Sales Manager requires a four year College degree with a preferred degree in Hotel or Restaurant Hospitality.
• In addition, the Social Catering Sales Manager should have at least 3 years of catering or sales experience in Hospitality.

Requirements

• Strong Interpersonal and organizational skills
• Exceptional communication skills (verbal and written)
• Solicitation, negotiation and closing winner
• Attention to detail
• Flexibility with hours including weekends
• Report generation and comprehension
• Marriott CI/TY, Excel, Word
• Problem solver and decision maker
• Local travel for outside sales calls
• Some overnight travel
• Multi-tasker with a positive, delighted to please personality
• Proactive planner who executes and delivers results