Catering Sales Manager

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation•Sonesta Charlotte, NC

About The Position

We’re Sonesta International Hotels. The 8th largest hotel company in the U.S.—and growing fast. An epic blend of full-service and focused hotels in major cities, Sonesta’s uniquely diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties makes us everywhere you want to be. Driven by the human side of hospitality, we deliver service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and experiences that truly connect. Together We Thrive —bringing quality, value, and amazing hospitality to every guest, every stay, across 1000+ properties in eight countries and counting. 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, planners, and team members, and to dig deep to find ways to create success for the hotel. The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for maximizing Catering Corporate and Social revenues and profits for the hotel. The Catering Sales Manager will uncover new business opportunities, foster client relationships, and ensure the successful execution of events. Job Description Job Description Achieve personal and team goals as assigned Prospect, solicit, negotiate, and book new and repeat social and corporate business to ensure maximization of revenue to achieve budgeted revenue goals. Establish client base of individuals, organizations, associations, social, and/or corporate businesses through direct outside and inside selling Negotiate meeting room rental, function space, and/or hotel services within approved booking guidelines Work with each client in menu planning, food, and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decorations, traffic flow room set-up, group room blocks, and VIP services, etc Monitor and handle inquiry calls and provide client proposals in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures Prepare and distribute all Banquet Event Orders (BEO). Ensure all BEO paperwork is completed in a timely and accurate manner. Attend and participate in BEO meetings Coordinate functions and activities with department heads as appropriate and communicate the Meeting/Event planner’s needs to appropriate staff Plan and attend Pre- and Post-Convention meetings Arrange and conduct special events, site inspections, and off-site presentations for potential clients Check function/Event room setups prior to guest client arrival, ensuring all details agree with client’s requirements and hotel standards. Ensure deficiencies are corrected by the appropriate personnel Based on business levels, we will assist Conference Services for Groups Meetings & Events by detailing the meeting specifications for each group and communicating those needs throughout operations of the hotel to effectively execute the event Attend sales, revenue, and department meetings Assist the Director of Sales & Marketing and Director of Catering & Convention Services with Budget and Forecast and complete special projects and assignments as designated. Perform any other job-related duties as assigned

Requirements

High school degree or equivalent required. Bachelor's Degree preferred
2 years of hotel-related sales experience required.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to prioritize and organize work assignments
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software

Nice To Haves

Catering sales and/or Conference services experience is preferred
1 year of catering sales experience in a 4-Diamond hotel with 8,000+sqft of function space is preferred
Delphi FDC and Opera PMS experience a plus

Responsibilities

Achieve personal and team goals as assigned
Prospect, solicit, negotiate, and book new and repeat social and corporate business to ensure maximization of revenue to achieve budgeted revenue goals.
Establish client base of individuals, organizations, associations, social, and/or corporate businesses through direct outside and inside selling
Negotiate meeting room rental, function space, and/or hotel services within approved booking guidelines
Work with each client in menu planning, food, and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decorations, traffic flow room set-up, group room blocks, and VIP services, etc
Monitor and handle inquiry calls and provide client proposals in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures
Prepare and distribute all Banquet Event Orders (BEO). Ensure all BEO paperwork is completed in a timely and accurate manner.
Attend and participate in BEO meetings
Coordinate functions and activities with department heads as appropriate and communicate the Meeting/Event planner’s needs to appropriate staff
Plan and attend Pre- and Post-Convention meetings
Arrange and conduct special events, site inspections, and off-site presentations for potential clients
Check function/Event room setups prior to guest client arrival, ensuring all details agree with client’s requirements and hotel standards.
Ensure deficiencies are corrected by the appropriate personnel
Based on business levels, we will assist Conference Services for Groups Meetings & Events by detailing the meeting specifications for each group and communicating those needs throughout operations of the hotel to effectively execute the event
Attend sales, revenue, and department meetings
Assist the Director of Sales & Marketing and Director of Catering & Convention Services with Budget and Forecast and complete special projects and assignments as designated.
Perform any other job-related duties as assigned