Catering Sales Manager

Additional Information: This hotel is owned and operated by an independent franchisee, Harrell Hospitality. The franchisee is a separate company and a separate employer from Marriott International, Inc.  The franchisee solely controls all aspects of the hotel’s employment policies and practices, including hiring, firing, discipline, staffing, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.  If you accept a position at this hotel you will be employed by a franchisee and not by Marriott International, Inc.

Job Description
Help us put the AC in Waco by joining the AC Hotel by Marriott Waco Family!

In AC Hotels’ view, attention to detail is the greatest form of generosity that can be offered to guests. AC Hotels is a stylish, edited experience that evokes harmony for the modern traveler. Associates, called Family Members, are able to thrive in a sleek environment and focus on what matters most to each other and guests.

Just steps away from the Silos and minutes from Baylor University, the AC Hotel Waco Downtown features 182 guestrooms, approximately 15,000 sq. ft. of Meeting & Event space. We are searching for a dynamic hospitality professional to join our team.

Catering Sales Manager Job Summary
The Catering Sales Manager is accountable for proactively soliciting and handling catering sales opportunities. The Catering Sales Manager ensures that business is documented in the CI/TY sales system and turned over properly if booked. The Catering Sales Manager conducts day-to-day activities related to catering sales with a focus on building long-term, value-based customer relationships that enable achievement of sales objectives, that includes prospecting, cold-calling, conducting property tours, site inspections, and business negotiation. The Catering Sales Manager has individual sales goals to achieve that are also part of the overall team goal for the Sales & Marketing department. The Catering Sales Manager role requires working a flexible schedule to be available for when catering opportunities are most often received.

Role and Responsibilities

A Catering Manager is primarily responsible for meeting and maintaining guest satisfaction by creating a remarkable and effortless experience from when the guest arrives at the convention or meeting space, providing a memorable and distinctive experience that will not be forgotten or mistaken.  Provide leadership and empowering the Hotel's TEAMS to strive for excellence and repeat business.

• Provide our guests with the best in service, courtesy, and care by responding promptly to guest requests, assistance, directions, and other amenities or information.  Follow up with guests during their visit to ensure overall satisfaction.
• Review and share guest comments and scorecard results with associates to celebrate achievements.
• Foster strong working relationships within the Sales & Catering TEAM and, equally important, with other departments by communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing to provide clear direction, assigning and instructing associates in details of work.  Attend and participate in Sales & Catering and hotel management meetings weekly.  Share any relevant information with corresponding departments to ensure a successful outcome daily.
• Lead and manage the overall efficient operation of the Catering Services Section within the Sales & Catering Division.  Use an effective inspection program of the convention and meeting space, ensuring consistent compliance to Hotel policies and quality standards of service, focusing on optimizing revenue.
  • Solicit companies and organizations to rent meeting space for entertainment and social events.  Accept incoming inquiries about the above stated.  Visit said potential clients and deliver proposals, contracts, etc., to maintain relationships for future business.
  • Inspect hotel's sales/catering record books to determine availability of meeting/banquet space and guest rooms for prospective customers to rent or purchase.  Compute, quote prices, and promptly prepare letters and contracts to advise prospective clients of availability.  Audit client checks for accuracy.
  • Conduct property tours with potential clients, visiting guest rooms, meeting space and banquet facilities, and other hotel facilities.
  • Supervise and attend the overall setup and implementation of events and meetings. Communicate with relevant departments to ensure proper servicing of accounts.  Perform walk-through of room setup and food and beverage displays, etc., with the client(s).
  • Develop client menus and organize all other arrangements as they relate to social and corporate events, including signage.
  • As needed, assist with interviewing, hiring, and training in the procedures and techniques of the Sales & Catering Division.  Training includes detailed instruction on sales & catering procedures and processes, systems, guest, and brand service standards.
  • Supervise the adherence to all applicable federal, state, local safety and health regulations and corporate standards.
  • Improve service performance by observing associates and making recommendations to the management team of any non-adherence to company standards, policies, and procedures.
  • Ensure proper cleanliness, use, repair of Sales & Catering Division areas, equipment, closet/storage areas, monitor inventories throughout the hotel, and purchase procedures.  Immediately troubleshoots or reports system failures, non-functioning telephone, computer equipment, etc., to the appropriate department.
  • Maintain workplace safety and corporate compliance by taking proactive measures, enforcing Hotel safety standards.
• Assist with reviewing current standards and introducing hotel-wide changes such as those affecting the Sales & Catering Division to ensure the hotel is in compliance.  Maintain and review computerized records for budgeting and forecasting department expenses and make decisions based on information to ensure maximum profitability.
• Ensuring guest satisfaction includes the prompt return of lost or items accidentally left behind in our hotels.  All associates are responsible for turning in all items found to the hotel's Lost & Found Department immediately.
• Provide instruction and guidance for guest's and associate's safety in fire or other emergencies.
• Report all suspicious persons or activities, hazardous conditions, etc., to Safety/Security Department.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specific Job Knowledge and Skills:

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities and explain and demonstrate that he/she can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to obtain any government required licenses or certificates.
  Thorough knowledge of hotel operations, sales & catering, event setup, lighting and sound equipment usage, quality assurance programs, hospitality law, and the development of short and long-range planning.
• Knowledge of food and beverage industry, current market trends, and federal, state, and local laws on the hospitality industry, i.e., OSHA, Local Liquor Commission, Department of Health, and Sanitation regulation.  Knowledge of chemical cleaning agents, proper labeling and operation of various industrial equipment, and knowledge of Hotel Corporate policies and basic sanitation requirements/controls and applications of relevant chemicals to safeguard our associates, guests, and hotel property.
• Must have extensive knowledge of Food and Beverage etiquette, guest relations, and service standards.
• Above average mathematical skills to analyze large volume of complex financial information from many sources and credit reports, forecasts projections for relevant department leaders.  Basic understanding of complex computerized financial systems and the ability to use manual dexterity to operate all office equipment to meet deadlines, operate 10-key by touch, complete necessary reports, and understand information from the hotel, regional or corporate offices.
• Ability to visit local or travel out-of-town to represent the hotel at meetings with existing or potential clients.
• Ability to stand and walk continuously throughout the hotel areas/departments during the shift.
•  Ability to sit for long periods.  Ability to lift, grasp, carry and push up to 200 pounds.
• Ability to exercise judgment in evaluating situations and in making sound decisions.

Physical Demands /Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands:
  Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (occasionally:  activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time), and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time), to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.  Some sedentary office work to complete reports and other computer-related projects.  As business demands, ability to perform under the physical and environmental demands as the positions reporting to the Director of Sales & Marketing, see respective job descriptions.

• Environmental Conditions:
  Inside: Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.  A job is considered "inside" if the worker spends approximately 75 percent or more of the time inside.

Other Expectations:

• Due to the seasonal nature of the hospitality industry, associates may be required to work varying schedules to reflect the hotel's business needs.  This includes nights, weekends, and/or holidays.  Regular attendance in conformance with the standards is essential to the successful performance of this position.  Irregular attendance may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including severing employment.
• To ensure a safe and healthy working environment, all associates are required to comply with health and safety standards, regulations, and procedures and take on the responsibility and wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as determined by position and duties; training will be provided.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED, 2-years of experience in hotel event management, food & beverage, or related professional area preferred, or
• 2-year degree from an accredited university in Hospitality and Hotel Management, Business Administration, or related major, 1-year experience in hotel event management, food & beverage, or related professional area; or 
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Hospitality and Hotel Management, Business Administration, or related major, 6-months experience in hotel event management, food & beverage, or related professional area.
• Alcohol Beverage Servers and Food Handlers Certification required.
• Valid, current driver's license.  CPR Certification required, Frist Aide training, and AED Certification preferred.
• Given that our guests visit our hotels from all regions of the world, additional/multilingual ability is preferred to provide a personalized experience to our guests.

HHG Waco LLC dba AC Hotel Waco Downtown is an equal opportunity/AA/Disability/Veteran employer.  The EEO is the Law poster and its supplements are available using the following links: EEOC is the Law Poster (https://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/poster.cfm) and the following link is the OFCCP's Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination policy statement (https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp\_formattedESQA508c.pdf)

This company is an equal opportunity employer.

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