Catering Sales and Events Manager
2 days ago
Seattle
Job DescriptionDescription: Event Manager with proven experience delivering white-glove service to clients sought! As a key member of the Catering Team, this experienced Sales & Events Manager works to book catering events and coordinate all event details. Works to increase revenue on booked catering events. Prospects new business and owns those events. Works to meet or exceed event profitability goals. Assists in managing the inquiry pipeline, putting together BEOs and contracts. Works closely with colleagues on the sales team, culinary, operations and event leads to ensure the smooth transition of event information. Meets all expectations for delivering a superior client experience. Exhibits proven expertise managing a high volume of events across multiple disciplines (social, corporate, wedding) and has demonstrable experience with high touch clientele. Title: Catering Sales & Events Manager Salary: $82-90k annually + commission program eligibility ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Sales Responsibilities (~40%) • Works as part of a cohesive team. Assists with management of the inquiry queue, responds to clients in a timely manner (1 business day) and responds to client RFPs with information and contracts., • Is a single point of contact for VIP clients; anticipates their needs and provides seamless, exceptional service, • Follows up with prospects, adjusting and amending quotes as needed to ensure events meet company standards as well as client needs., • Secures signed contracts and deposit payments for all events., • Creates the BEO document for each event, providing excellent and complete event production and coordination including but not limited to: ordering and coordinating rentals, building realistic timelines and floorplans for each facet of the event, conducting tastings, walkthroughs, site tours and logistics meetings, and other documents as needed for each event., • Builds BEOs in-line with company standard to ensure all information and needs are visible to each team member to ensure consistent, high quality and complete BEO documents, logistics meetings, open house events and private tastings., • Provides timely, polished, and courteous responses to clients via email, video conference and phone., • Nurtures client relationships, builds rapport and relationships with clients, vendors, planners and venue contacts., • Develops and maintains open lines of communication with entire team; shares and receives feedback with respect., • Works to enhance every event, regardless of size or scope, makes all clients feel important., • Works with operations to ensure smooth and timely transitions of events, communicates with leads prior to events to explain details and empower leadership., • Contributes to the creation and maintenance of in-house procedures and processes to streamline and enhance the sales experience for the client and the sales team effectively passing along essential information in a clear, accurate and timely manner, • Attends events as necessary as dictated by the needs of the events as well team needs, • Manages and oversees events from the point of sale through the BEO meeting and handoff to Operations and Culinary., • Orders rentals, builds floorplans, liquor pulls, chit sheets, creates timelines as needed., • Plans and oversees menu tastings for clients, runs and guides logistics meetings with clients and planners, feels ownership and responsibility for the success of our events o Works with team to execute open house events., • Attends external networking meetings and seeks other opportunities for trend research and catering sales education and information., • Conducts venue walkthroughs with clients as needed., • Prints updated BEOs for the kitchen weekly., • Prints and builds events binders as needed, ensuring proper signage, BEOs floorplans, alcohol sheets and rental sheets as well as any additional documentation is included to ensure smooth events., • Meets with event leads prior to events to ensure smooth communication and expectations for events are aligned., • Closes out events in timely and correct manner, including billing, bar reconciliation, and follow-up with client for post-event feedback., • Collaborates with sales and events team to ensure weekly administrative and financial duties are accomplished., • Uses Tripleseat, Teams, Slack and Outlook as tools to support effective communication amongst staff members., • Monitors event payments and track outstanding amounts., • Keeps both the client and SDC accounting department apprised as to when payments are made and processed., • Self-managed transportation for travel throughout the Greater Seattle area is required., • Collaboration with General Manager, Sales & Events Team, Culinary Team and Operations Team., • Ability to read BEO/Floor Plans and confidently fill any FOH role during an event ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical requirements listed are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions and key responsibilities of this position. Work conditions in certain areas of the business can be hot, cold, wet, slippery and/or noisy. Frequent walking (up to 12 hours), including climbing up and down stairs is required. Ability to sit, stand, walk, climb stairs, bend, lift, twist, kneel, crouch, crawl, pull, push, carry, grasp, reach and stoop as needed, sometimes for extended periods, and to occasionally lift and carry heavy items up to 50 pounds (maybe aided). Office work involves remaining in a stationary position most of the time in front of a computer, using a keyboard, mouse and telephone. Regularly operate a computer and other office equipment. Occasionally move about the work site to access file cabinets, office equipment, etc. Exert up to 10lbs of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or regularly move objects. Communicate and exchange information with colleagues, clients and other individuals in person and electronically. Office (Seattle Art Museum) and some at home/remote work and occasional work from venue/event as needed and as approved by General Manager. Availability required for extended and various work hours, including nights and weekends. REQUIRED COMPETENCIES: • Loves Events!, • Sense of ownership; loves to see things through, • Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to effectively communicate across various audiences., • Impeccable judgement and intuition, • Superb communication and listening skills with the ability to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing., • In-depth event experience, food, wine & spirits, and food service knowledge a plus, • Passion for hospitality., • Experience booking and coordinating events on and off premise; knows what questions to ask to ensure smooth events, • Experienced with site visits, catering in client homes, offices and unfamiliar locations, • Highly detail oriented; enjoys being busy and takes initiative, • Experience booking and managing a high volume of events, • Highly developed sense of ownership, responsibility, and commitment to quality., • Self-motivated; proven ability to manage multiple tasks, shifting deadlines, and projects at once., • An investigative mind, strong business acumen, and problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate issues and think through solutions., • Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities., • Strong self- management skills: ability to plan and organize, to handle high volume workload with multiple competing priorities and to use time efficiently., • Works well independently and with others., • Ability to function in a self-directed work environment with minimal oversight., • Strong analytical skills and detail oriented with the ability to summarize, draw conclusions with data and intelligence and solve problems., • Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and professionalism., • Proficient in: Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, Excel and Teams., • Bachelor s degree in hotel, food and beverage, hospitality management, or 5 years progressive related industry experience., • 3 plus years' experience in catering, private dining, or hotel food and beverage leadership role., • Proven ability to communicate with polish, clarity and executive-level professionalism., • Demonstrated experience providing high-touch luxury-level client service in catering, events or hospitality setting., • A collaborative, cross-departmental, team player., • Knowledge of food safety standards, procedures, and protocol., • Must obtain WA State Food Handlers and Alcohol Service Certifications within 14 days of employment., • Valid Driver s License and ability to pass Motor Vehicle Check to drive Catering fleet., • Ability to communicate in a second language, preferably Spanish, highly preferred but not required., • Shooby Doo Catering at SAM employees must pass a background check to be eligible for hire. Why we love working at Feedme Hospitality: • We offer medical, dental and vision benefits to anyone working 25+ hours/week, • We post schedules 14+ days in advance and all employees have Sick Hours and/or PTO available, • We are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year s Day, • All employees can enroll in Flexible Spending Account Benefits, regardless of number of hours worked per week. Including: Healthcare FSA, Dependent Care FSA and a Commuter Benefit Plan., • Dining Discounts, • Salaried positions offer 401k and Long-Term Disability Insurance