Now Hiring - Holiday Inn Express - Catering Sales Manager in Buffalo, NY

Full description of the position

Position: Catering Sales Manager Department: Sales & Catering Reports To: Director of Sales & GM Purpose of the Position: Increase catering sales by soliciting new customers and maintaining existing customers' business. Essential Responsibilities: Meets and exceeds Guests and team member expectations by providing Exceptional service and team work by: a. Providing value added service to Guests by doing whatever is Reasonable and possible to meet or exceed Guest expectations b. Communicating effectively with Guests, co-workers and Supervisors c. Demonstrating teamwork by cooperating and assisting co-workers and Supervisors d. Acquiring a working knowledge of hotel, in-house facilities and local information e. Handling difficult situations effectively f. To adhere to the spirit of hospitality by assisting or accommodating our Guests requests. Offer alternatives instead of saying "No" g. To practice the 10/5 Rule! In all Guest contact interactions: within 10 feet of the Guest, make eye contact, smile and within 5 feet, give a hospitality welcome: hello, thank you for staying with us etc. h. Personally introduces himself/herself to the Guests in order to obtain feedback regarding the Hotel and provide a hospitable atmosphere Secures business for the Hotel by: a. Soliciting business through history files, telephone calls, direct mailing initiatives, and new ideas. b. Meeting with clients to sell Hotel function space and associated group rooms c. Entertaining clients to solicit business through breakfast, lunch, dinner, and entertainment appointments d. Participating in sales blitzes e. Developing quarterly action plan f. Selling corporate small meetings g. Prospecting and closing wedding inquiries h. Maintain and regularly check wedding on-line sites as a lead generating source Contributes to the financial success of the property by: a. Selling all product lines of the Hotel, including catering, rooms, packages, lounge and restaurant promotions b. Meeting or exceeding budget and booking goals monthly c. Displaying time management skills d. Selling at the highest possible competitive price e. Up selling, suggestive selling, and informing client of benefits/features of the Hotel f. Establishing new business g. Developing new relationships with clients while maintaining and nurturing them Establishes a meeting plan by: a. Confirming all details for each function with the meeting planner/coordinator b. Finalizing banquet event orders, rooming lists, meeting set-up, food requests, etc. c. Ensuring that credit applications, direct bill applications and deposits are received from clients d. Acting as a liaison between the sales/catering office, Front Office and Banquet Department Ensures that the client's highest expectations are accurately met by: a. Responding to correspondence from clients, prospects and corporate offices relating to sales activity b. Complying with the client's special requests and communicating them to the other departments c. Completing all of the appropriate forms used for in-house communication distributing appropriate forms to correct in-house departments d. Coordinating group rooms needs with their sales manager partner e. Working with the Executive Chef and Food and Beverage Director to develop special request menus and meeting unusual guest requests f. Contacting the client immediately following the event for feedback, and to review and finalize billing Maintains proper records and files for follow up and future reference by: a. Creating files for new business b. Updating past client files with new information c. Tracing files for future solicitation d. Ensuring compliance of catering/sales files with standard and specific requirements and updating reader files e. Keeping and analyzing records on inquiries, cancellations and lost/turndown business f. Create group blocks in Opera system as sold by sales g. Create online booking links for loaded groups h. Track and load rooming lists i. Track and update guests on cut off dates j. Create Group cover sheets for blocks of 10 or more rooms k. Detail events sold by Regional Sales that have meeting space l. Detail events sold m. Distribute weekly BEO and Cover Sheet Packet n. Collect and post payments for master billed accounts o. Be onsite for sales, forwarding leads to Sales Coordinator and onsite for tours as needed Participates in the team effort by: a. Communicating effectively with team managers and staff b. Assisting in preparing weekly forecast for banquet functions c. Completing assignments requested by the Director of Catering Sales and the Director of Hotel Sales Maintains professional and technical knowledge by: a. Obtaining information on local area competition and customer segments b. Investigating, researching and developing specific market trends c. Understanding laws pertaining to local Hotel/rooms taxes, political contributions, alcoholic beverages, guest complaints, ADA, Hotel sales contracts, price flexing, rebates to groups as pertaining to situations. d. Assisting and understanding the Business Plan for the Hotel e. Attending online sales seminars f. Reading, learning and understanding the Hotel's standard operating procedures g. Possessing complete menu knowledge of banquet and regular menus h. Possessing the ability to pair food and wine selections in order to help the client Adheres to Hotel policies and procedures by: a. Following Hotel grooming and dress standards b. Following all safety and security procedures and rules c. Participating in weekly sales/catering department meetings d. Participating in the property Manager on Duty (M.O.D.) programs 1. Keeps immediate supervisor promptly and fully informed of all problems or unusual matters of significance. 2. Performs all duties and responsibilities in a timely and efficient manner in accordance with established Company policies and procedures to achieve the overall objectives of this position. 3. Maintains a favorable working relationship with all other Company associates to foster and promote a cooperative and harmonious working climate. 4. At all times projects a favorable image of the Company to the public. Non-Essential Responsibilities 1. Assists Banquet Department in accurately meeting client's needs by communicating "last minute requests". 2. To participate in the Company's Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle program 3. Be familiar with Hotel layout and locations of other departments 4. Promote the Hotel and its features 5. Be familiar with city events and locations Qualifications: * Previous selling experience and knowledge of banquet area (Hotel-related preferred) * Aggressive, outgoing personality essential * Proven record of independent, self-motivated work habits required * Degree preferred, but not required * Effective time management principle and organizational skills * Strong English writing skills with proven verbal communication abilities are essential * Basic typing and computer skills * Dependable transportation * Available for weekend shifts * Travel may be required * Pleasant, outgoing, flexible, creative, team player. To Do This Kind of Work You Must be Able to: * Demonstrate sales skills by communicating with clients * Prepare plans for functions by communicating requests with each department affected * Basic knowledge of local and national trends regarding business and competition strategies * Communicate with different kinds of people to give information, answer questions and provide the service required The above is not to be considered a day-to-day description of all duties to be performed. Any task assigned by your supervisors should be considered to be a part of your responsibilities. I have read and understand the job description as stated above and accept that any of the tasks may be modified or changed. I understand and can perform the essential functions of this job as listed above. Job Type: Full-time Pay: $60,500.00 - $70,000.00 per year Benefits: * 401(k) * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Employee discount * Health insurance * Paid time off * Vision insurance Schedule: * Day shift * Monday to Friday * Weekends as needed Ability to Commute: * Buffalo, NY 14221 (Required) Ability to Relocate: * Buffalo, NY 14221: Relocate before starting work (Required) Work Location: In person