Catering Sales Manager

Job Overview
As Sales Manager for Meetings and Events, you will oversee and direct all aspects of the hotel's strategies of selling and executing concerning the areas of Conference and Banqueting with special emphasis on Outside Catering. You will work with operations to ensure successful conference and banqueting and outside catering events for our clients.

At Holiday Inn we want people who are friendly, welcoming and full of life; people who are always finding ways to make every guest's experience an enjoyable one.

Duties And Responsibilities
Financial returns:

• Maintain files, records and reports as it pertains to: budgets, contacts, planning activities, time lines, contracts, purchase orders and post meeting notes. Complete forecasts, plans, and productivity reports for management.
• Participate in the preparation of the annual departmental operating budget and financial plans. Monitor budget and upsell products and services while minimising waste to increase revenue.
• Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines.
• Achieves the monthly and annual personal target contributing to the Sales revenue.

People

• Assign work, and establish performance and development goals for team members. Provide regular feedback to help manage conflict and improve team member performance.
• Educate and train team members in compliance with brand and service standards, and governmental regulations. Ensure staff has the tools, training, and equipment to carry out job duties.
• Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments. Ensure appropriate staffing levels based on guest volume. Interact with outside contacts: Guests, Vendors, and other contacts as needed.

Guest Experience

• Responsible for Small to Medium sized Events / Groups as approved by the Assistant Director of Sales Meetings & Events. You will be responsible for the successful outcome of assigned programs from pre-arrival through to post-departure; liaising, coordinating and attending meetings as required.
• Assemble and distribute consistent, concise group resumes and banquet event orders that clearly represent a convention's every requirement for all departments. You will work closely with the client and key hotel departments throughout the duration of the conference, being available to assist guests at the appropriate times, driving excellent customer satisfaction scores.
• Provide guests with information (example: loyalty programmes, area attractions, restaurants, facility information) to enhance guest experience.
• Conduct banquet and catering facility tours and entertain clients to enhance the guest's meeting/banquet experience.
• Assist clients with menu planning, food and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decoration options, etc.
• Arrange all details of meetings and conventions to include room set-ups, staging, lighting, audiovisual, traffic flow, menus, décor, entertainment, group room blocks, and VIP services.
• Plan and conduct pre-event and post-event meetings with clients and catering staff to determine potential enhancements to the guest experience.

Responsible Business

• Develop awareness and reputation of the hotel and the brand in the local community.
• Coordinate safety and security initiatives to ensure meetings flow smoothly with minimal interruptions or problems. Coach and advise clients on meeting options and alternatives that potentially reduce waste, save energy and have a minimal impact on the environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned. May also serve as manager on duty.

Accountability
Meeting Catering Sales/Banqueting/Events target along with the desired service standards.

Qualifications And Requirements
Minimum of 4-year Sales experience in 4* or 5* Hotel property

• Hospitality degree or equivalent
• Excellent customer relations, problem solving and time management skills
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office and Opera Sales
• Proven ability to creating new business opportunities
• Assertive, professional and positive with a proven ability to develop in a team environment
• Must be able to work independently and maintain a positive attitude within a very busy environment