Catering Sales Manager - The Ritz-Carlton

Iconic architecture, a thriving culinary scene, beautifully landscaped public spaces, and an array of museums are just part of what draws visitors to the Windy City. At The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, a luxury hotel set atop Water Tower Place in the historic Gold Coast, guests have every opportunity to explore the city—from shopping along Michigan Avenue to viewing world-renowned works at the Art Institute. Yet with our hotel's spa, rooftop lounge, locally inspired restaurant, indoor lap pool, and spacious accommodations overlooking the city, guests may never want to leave.

The Ladies and Gentlemen in Catering are passionate about creating exceptional events that leave lasting impressions. As a Catering Sales Manager, you will cultivate meaningful relationships with clients, identify opportunities to exceed expectations, and guide each event from initial inquiry through successful execution. By collaborating closely with culinary, banquet, conference services, and hotel operations teams, you will ensure every meeting, celebration, and social event reflects The Ritz-Carlton's legendary standards of service. Your expertise in sales, event planning, and personalized hospitality will create memorable experiences while building client loyalty and driving business success.

Recognized as "the gold standard" of hospitality, The Ritz-Carlton selects only the most passionate and skilled hospitality professionals. As one of our Ladies and Gentlemen, you will reflect the values that make us the world's finest luxury brand. Here, in a diverse environment where individual aspirations are fulfilled and quality of life is enhanced, you will be inspired to work alongside your fellow employees to bring special moments to life for our guests and each other. Through your leadership, creativity, and commitment to excellence, you will contribute to the continued success of our hotel while delivering unforgettable experiences for every client and guest.

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.

Independent PTO plan

Medical, dental, & vision insurance

Eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) program with employer matching

Flexible spending accounts options

Basic Life and AD&D insurance

Short-term disability options

Employee Assistance Program

Great discounts on Hotels, Restaurants, and much more

$65k - $75k/Annually