Catering Sales Manager at The Westin Richmond

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionPOSITION PURPOSEThe Catering Sales Manager is a key sales position, responsible for maintaining existing catering accounts as well as actively soliciting new business on an ongoing basis. In this role you will foster relationships with meeting planners, corporate contacts, as well as contacts within the local social markets in order to meet or exceed revenue goals. The ideal candidate will be passionate about event planning and committed to educating themselves on current food & beverage trends. The ideal candidate will have the ability to act independently with minimal or no supervision and the ability to communicate customer needs and resolve challenges independently. He/she will possess excellent teamwork, and communications skills and be an innovator with an eye towards constant improvement in guest satisfaction and operating efficiency.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSMust have excellent interpersonal skillsResponsible for soliciting new catering accounts, entertaining and maintaining relationships with existing accounts to meet and exceed food and beverage revenue goals. Oversee client functions to ensure complete guest satisfactionSolicit new and existing accounts to meet and exceed revenue goals through telephone solicitation, outside sales calls, site inspections and written communicationPrepare correspondence to customers, internal booking reports and file maintenanceParticipate in daily business review meeting, pre and post convention meetings, training and other catering/sales related meetings as requiredWork with other departments within the hotel to provide superior service to customersAttend community/social events and industry meetings as required to facilitate business opportunitiesDevelop/maintain knowledge of market trends, competition and customersThis individual also oversees client functions to ensure complete guest satisfactionAble to work extended workweeks and hours, including weekends, to accommodate a client's needs as well as any functions they are overseeing or managingOTHERRegular attendance in conformance with the Hotel's standards, which may be established from time to time, is essential to the successful performance of this position. Employees with irregular attendance will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, employees may be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the hotel. In addition, attendance at all scheduled training sessions and meetings is required.Upon employment, all employees are required to fully comply with the Hotel's rules and regulations for the safe and effective operation of the hotel's facilities. Employees who violate hotel rules and regulations will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIESThe individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities:Must be able to speak, read, write and understand the primary language(s) used in the workplace.Must be able to read and write to facilitate the communication process. Requires excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.Requires excellent computational skills.PHYSICAL DEMANDSMust be able to stand and exert well-paced mobility for up to 6 hours in length. Must be able to exert well-paced ability to work in a busy environment. Must have the ability to bend, squat and lift 50 lbs. on a regular and continuing basis and occasionally lift up to 100 lbs. Must be able to exert well-paced ability in limited space.Requires grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, bending, climbing, listening and hearing ability and visual acuity.Talking and hearing occur continuously in the process of communicating with guests, supervisors and other employees.Vision occurs continuously with the most common visual functions being those of near vision and depth perception.Requires manual dexterity to use and operate all necessary equipment. Position may be required to wear an earpieceQUALIFICATION STANDARDSEducation High school or equivalent education required. Bachelor's Degree preferred. Experience Our ideal candidate possesses a minimum of 2-3 years of catering sales experience.