Manager - Catering Sales

Overview

The Catering Sales Manager is accountable for securing and closing local catering and social events business, while ensuring prompt and proper turnover to guarantee outstanding service delivery. This role aims to meet catering revenue targets by maximizing revenue through proactive upselling of each sales opportunity. The manager executes the brand's service strategies and initiatives throughout the sales cycle, fostering customer loyalty by delivering excellent customer experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead sales initiatives focused on local corporate and social catering business for the hotel.
• Collaborate closely with off-property sales teams including Sales Office, Area Sales, and EST to coordinate efforts, avoiding overlap or duplication.
• Handle all incoming catering inquiries and actively pursue new catering business to reach individual and hotel revenue objectives.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of market conditions, including competitor strengths, economic trends, supply, and demand, using this knowledge to strategically close deals.
• Conduct contract negotiations and creatively design and promote bespoke catered events to optimize revenue.
• Oversee catering sales revenue, operational budgets, and provide accurate forecasting reports.
• Develop menus tailored to increase sales potential.
• Manage all operational aspects related to bookings, such as proposals, contract drafting, and customer communication.
• Ensure daily execution of brand service basics and timely resolution of guest concerns by coordinating with property leadership and other stakeholders.
• Drive business success by increasing revenues, controlling costs, and delivering return on investment.

Customer Service Excellence

• Engage effectively with kitchen staff, vendors, competitors, local community, catering associations, and hotel departments to guarantee guest satisfaction.
• Implement company Customer Service Standards and maintain compliance with hotel Brand Standards.
• Provide exceptional support to customers before and during events, understanding their requirements to offer tailored solutions and build lasting relationships.
• Gain insights into the hotel’s target customer base and service expectations to deliver superior business solutions.
• Establish strong partnership with operations teams to ensure seamless execution of sales strategies at the hotel level.

Candidate Profile - Education and Experience

• Possess a high school diploma or GED with at least two years of experience in sales, marketing, guest services, front desk, or related fields.
• Alternatively, hold a 2-year degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Marketing, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related discipline without mandatory work experience.

Additional Details

Performs other duties as needed to fulfill business demands. The company is committed to equal employment opportunities and values diversity and inclusion in its workforce, embracing employees' unique backgrounds and experiences. The Ritz-Carlton brand prides itself on delivering exceptional luxury service, guided by its "Gold Standards," creating lasting memorable experiences for guests worldwide.