Catering Sales Manager

**Job Description Summary**

The Catering Sales Manager sets the tone for Sonesta’s Culture of Caring. We expect leaders to focus on creating amazing moments for guests and team members and dig deep to find ways to create success for their team.

The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for the leadership, effectiveness and productivity of the Banquet Services department. The role’s primary responsibility is to drive results through their entire department.

The Catering Sales Manager will develop business through direct sales solicitation; secure new accounts, maintain existing accounts and execute tactical sales plans strategy to maximize the profitability of the hotel while maintaining guest satisfaction. Oversee client functions to ensure customer satisfaction.

Sonesta managers are charged with providing strategic vision, ensuring tactical execution, and actively managing their department to achieve the company’s revenue and profitability goals and objectives.

**Work Environment **This position works mostly in a service environment, with some office time. Strong floor presence is required.

**Physical Demands**
- The person in this role may be exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly.
- The person in this role may be carrying, lifting or pulling items weighing up to 50lbs and pushing and/or pulling approximately 200lbs.
- The person in this role will be frequently standing up, bending, climbing, kneeling, and moving about the hotel.

**Expected Hours of Work**
- Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
- May occasionally be asked to work in evening or weekend.
- Ten to Twelve hour shifts sometimes required.

**Education and Experience**
- Some College plus 1-2 years sales or catering related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Knowledge of hotel and food & beverage operations preferred.
- Must speak fluent English. Other languages preferred.
- Understanding of and previous experience in a union environment a plus.

**Principle duties and responsibilities (Essential Functions) include**:

- **Operational/Functional**:

- Establish client base of individuals, organizations, associations, social, and/or corporate businesses through direct outside and inside sales efforts to secure business for the hotel to ensure that catering revenue goals are met or exceeded. Actively prospect and qualify new business.
- Negotiate guest room rates, meeting room rental, function space, and/or hotel services within approved booking guidelines. Accurately produce and/or review all sales contracts, rate agreements, and/or banquet/catering event orders.
- Monitor and handle inquiry calls and provide client proposals in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures
- Work closely with other hotel departments to facilitate services agreed upon by the sales office and prospective clients. Disseminate sales-related information to other departments as appropriate.
- Check function room set ups prior to guest arrival, ensuring all details are in agreement with client’s requirements and hotels standards. Ensure deficiencies are corrected by appropriate personnel.
- Welcome group contact upon arrival at function and ensure guest satisfaction.
- Monitor and ensure all functions are set up, refreshed, and broken down in compliance with scheduled times and departmental procedures.
- Arrange and conduct special events, site inspections, and off-site presentations for potential clients. Entertain clients in accordance with established company and hotel policies and guidelines.
- Maintain client files and update information daily in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures. Produce monthly sales-related reports and sales forecasts for assigned area of responsibility.
- Attend and represent hotel at trade shows and conventions and/or participate in sales trips to key feeder markets.
- Follow up with guests regularly during and after departure to ensure satisfaction and secure future bookings.
- Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments. Key departmental contacts include all hotel departments.
- Interact with outside contacts:
Guests - to ensure their total satisfaction Airlines, wholesalers, corporate accounts, travel agencies, ad agencies, etc. - to ensure repeat business, follow up on events, and generate new business Other contacts as needed (Professional organizations, community groups)
- May assist in developing and implement sales actions plan as assigned. May also participate in the annual budgeting and planning process.
- May assist client in menu planning. May coordinate food, beverage, table arrangements and decorations with Banquet Department.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- .**Strategy and Planning**:

- Participate in the preparation of the hotel’s strategic plan, marketing plan and overall goals. Prepare monthly forecasts a