Director of Catering Sales

Job Description

Functions as the business leader of the property s Catering Sales Department and manages the propertys reactive and proactive catering sales efforts. Shares responsibility for achieving revenue goals, guest and associate satisfaction and the financial performance of the department. Implements the brand s service strategy and applicable brand initiatives in all aspects of the sales process. Provides day to day leadership to a team of on-property catering sales associates. Partners with key stakeholders within Area Sales to receive warms leads for more in-depth qualification of the business for the property. Partners with Event Management and hotel operations to sell products and services that the hotel has the ability to successfully execute. Verifies a seamless turnover from sales to operations and back to sales while consistently delivering a high level of service. Maintains accountability for verifying that the team maximizes revenue opportunities by up-selling and accurately forecasting (e.g., catering and group rooms) for all events.CANDIDATE PROFILE Education and ExperienceRequired:2-year degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Marketing, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major; 4 years experience in the sales and marketing or related professional area.OR4-year bachelors degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major; 2 years experience in the sales and marketing or related professional area.Preferred:4 year college degree.CORE WORK ACTIVITIESManaging Sales ActivitiesManages the catering sales efforts for the hotel including local and group/convention business.Solicits/books local catering business and develops group business.Develops and manages catering sales revenue and operation budgets, and provides forecasting reports.Works with the management team to create and implement a catering sales/marketing plan addressing revenue, customers and market.Develops menus that drive sales.Assists with selling, implementation and follow-through of catering promotions.Executes and supports Marriott s Customer Service Standards and hotel s Brand Standards.Executes and supports the operational aspects of business booked (e.g., generating proposal, writing contract, customer correspondence).Participates in and practices daily service basics of the brand (e.g.,, Marriott Hotels & Resorts (MHR) Spirit to Serve Daily Basics, Renaissance Hotels and Resorts (RHR) Savvy Service Basics, Courtyard, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn Basics of the Day, Residence Inn Daily Huddle, or TownePlace Suites Morning Meeting).Coordinates and deploys catering sales resources on-property to establish pull-through and sustainment of catering sales strategies and selling solutions. Develops a close working relationship with operations to execute strategies at the hotel level.Verifies that the property implements a seamless turnover from sales to operations and back to sales while consistently delivering high level of service.Monitors the effective resolution of guest issues that arise as a result of the sales process by creating mechanisms to channel issues to property leadership and/or other appropriate stakeholders.Maintains successful performance by increasing revenues, controlling expenses and providing a return on investment for the owner and Marriott International.Implements the brand s service strategy and applicable brand initiatives in all aspects of the sales process.Performs other duties, as assigned, to meet business needs.Building Successful RelationshipsInteracts effectively with guests/clients, sales and kitchen, vendors, competitors, local community, catering associations and other hotel departments in order to monitor guest satisfaction.Executes exemplary customer service to drive customer satisfaction and loyalty by assisting the customer and monitoring their satisfaction before and during their program/event.Serves the customer by understanding their needs and recommending the appropriate features and services that best meet their needs and exceed their expectations, while building a relationship and loyalty to Marriott.Gains understanding of the hotel s primary target customer and service expectations; serves the customer by understanding their business, business issues and concerns, to offer better business solution both prior to, and during the program/event.Partners with key stakeholders within Area Sales to receive warms leads for more in-depth qualification of the business for the property.Partners with Event Management and hotel operations to sell products and services that the hotel has the ability to successfully execute.,

Keyskills :
catering salessales processbusiness growtharea salesreturn on investment