Catering Sales Manager

Nestled in the heart of Sonoma and mere steps from the unique charm and history of its Plaza, The Lodge brings this enchanting town to life in an authentic and nuanced way. Hand-crafted touches pay homage to centuries of local craftspeople. Programming emphasizes the process, resulting in a deeper appreciation for the finished product — be it wine, art, or olive oil. Welcoming associates display pride and love for the region…a sentiment that is all but infectious. And tightly woven community connections ensure our Sonoma resort guests feel like locals, and locals feel like friends.

Solicit, capture, plan and coordinate small meetings with 10 rooms or less, social and catering only functions, while maximizing the banquet space to meet and ideally exceed catering revenue goals. Position is responsible for finalizing catering only business. Recommends program and procedural changes.

• Solicit, negotiate and book new and repeat business through efforts (outside sales calls, telemarketing, mailings, networking, etc.) while maximizing banquet space to meet/exceed revenue goals.
• Execute a territorial marketing strategy to capture the maximum amount of revenue and meet and ideally exceed sales goals.
• Plan, upsell and detail the meeting/function with the client including: space requirements, times, equipment, menus, themes/decorations, etc.
• Complete the contracts, prepare the appropriate paperwork, including banquet event orders, coordinate with the appropriate areas in the hotel and resolve any issues, complaints and problems to ensure a quality product delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Prepare status and period end reports.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of corporate and hotel procedures, products and competition, including their strengths and weaknesses, to continually improve sales strategies and achieve goals.
• Professional and positive communication to both guests and fellow associates.

Education/Formal Training

More than two years of post -high school education

Experience

Experience required by position is from one to two full years of employment in a related position with this company or other organization(s).

Knowledge/Skills

• Requires thorough knowledge of the practices and procedures of the catering, food and beverage, menu development and pricing.
• Requires knowledge of the hotel's policies and procedures and the ability to determine course of action based on these guidelines.
• Requires ability to investigate and analyze current activities and/or information involving readily available data and indicating logical conclusions and recommendations.
• Must possess communication skills in terms of the ability to negotiate, convince, sell and influence professionals and/or hotel guests.
• Ability to drive to outside sales calls.
• Excellent comprehension and literacy required to develop marketing plan, create menus and programs, etc.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Excellent hearing required for verbal interaction with guests and associates.
• Excellent vision required for viewing set-ups.
• Excellent speech communication skills required for verbal interaction with guests and associates.
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying - tables, chairs, boxes (50 lb. maximum) occasionally.
• Bending/kneeling - taping down cords, skirting tables, picking up floor after function, occasionally.
• Mobility - ability to service clients on a moments notice, variable distances. Continuous standing - function observation, client site inspections (one hour minimum to four hours maximum). Climbing - up to 55 steps, 3-5% of 10 hours.
• Driving - distance varies for sales calls (approximately 20%).

Environment

Work inside 70% of 10 hour day; outside 30% of 10 hour day.