This position plays a vital role in the success of the hotel. A variety of responsibilities rest with this position, the most important being the development of new accounts in both the local and out-of-market areas as well as maintaining rapport and relationships with current hotel accounts. As our catering sales and convention services manager you will be the one who sets an example of professionalism for other associates to follow as well as possessing strong managerial skills and self discipline. You will fill in for the Director of Sales upon request and perform duties as assigned.

SCOPE:

• Responsible to direct, organize, and manage the solicitation of new local catering accounts
• Maintaining and building relationships with current local catering accounts
• Act as the convention services manager for any groups contracted by the sales team to include banquet event orders, details, diagrams and more
• Selling all markets- SMERF, Association, Corporate and Government

RESPONSIBILIES AND AUTHORITIES :

• Solicit and develop new business accounts.
• Maximize potential room revenues by up selling.
• Achieve guest satisfaction through product knowledge and honest communication.
• Support of staff personnel.
• Continue client relations with current accounts.
• Training and retraining other department associates when specified (SCAMPREFORE).
• Maintain professionalism at all times while serving as an agent of the hotel.
• Selling and promotion of not only meeting space but also all hotel outlets, guest rooms and facilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school and at least two years of college courses, preferably in the areas of business or the hospitality industry.
• Five to ten years experience in the hospitality industry, with at least three years in the field of Sales and Catering preferred.
• Previous sales experience with the market or a like type market.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Direct sales calls – 10-15 per week to both the local and out-of-market areas to establish new business as well as continue relationships with current clients.
• Telephone solicitations – 25-30 per week to establish new business and qualify possible future accounts.
• Five lunch appointments, site inspections or in-house solicitations per week to familiarize potential clients with the hotel’s facilities and services.
• Participation in trade shows and industry-related organizations as outlines in the Marketing Action Plan. Participation geared toward increased awareness of the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel in both the local and feeder markets.
• Development of and participation in local and out-of-market sales blitzes along with coordination of proper follow through for potential future business. This follow through will include telemarketing, correspondence and additional direct solicitation.
• Responsible for acting as an in-house sales representative for sales inquiries. These inquiries should also be used for further qualification of accounts as well as showcasing the property through site inspections.
• Responsible for working knowledge of hotel reservation system and monthly marketing recap information. An understanding of how these reports are generated for use in monthly recap.
• Responsible for achieving budgeted goals, occupancy, average rate and profit for specified market segments through solicitation follow through and adherence to action steps outlined in Marketing Action Plan.
• Responsible for developing specified areas of the Marketing Action Plan such as the Competition Analysis, Action Steps, Budgeting, Market Analysis and Mission Statement.
• Full knowledge and preparation of month-end revenue reporting, marketing recap and advance sales summary. Use and understanding of how these reports reflect the effectiveness of past efforts and indicate where future priorities are to be placed.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate group room information in Group Room Control Log and Function Diary.
• Use of GRC information to effectively selective sell group rooms for maximum return as it relates to local catering business.
• Responsible for appropriate correspondence and related reports on a timely basis.
• Correspondence including proposals for future business, follow-up on sales calls, blitzes and telemarketing.
• Weekly sales call reports along with totals to the Director of Sales on Monday morning of the following week as well as monthly revenue recap reports to the General Manager by the end of the third working day of the new month.
• Develop client menus, write contracts and letters, as well as organize all other arrangements as they relate to social and corporate events.
• Meet or exceed annual goals on a monthly and quarterly basis for revenue and solicitation efforts.
• Communicate both verbally and in writing to provide clear direction to staff
• Prepare and present weekly and monthly catering/sales reports.
• Meet or exceed client outreach and guest event service targets and scores. Meet or exceed catering sales quarter and annual goals for confirmed and actualized contracts.
• Supervise and attend the overall set-up and implementation of events and meetings including but not limited to: Banquet event orders, diagrams, group resumes, payment and being onsite for events. Communicate with relevant departments to ensure proper servicing of accounts.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed based on events in-house.
• Responsible for attendance, participation and preparation at weekly Sales Department meetings as well as specified staff meetings throughout each month.
• Any and all of the duties requested to better serve guests and overall goals of the Holiday Inn.
• Responsible for writing all first reports of injury when an associate is injured on the job. Responsibility includes follow-up with Personnel.
• Responsible for one MOD shift per month or when needed.
• Responsible to know fire and evacuation procedures, fire panel, and how to locate trouble areas.
• Able to take charge in emergency situations when upper management is off property.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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