Description

JOB SUMMARY

The primary responsibility of the Special Events and Catering Sales Coordinator is to support the department to strategize, cultivate, and generate new business opportunities for in-house events across the IDG (Innovative Dining Group) brand and to further develop and build IDG’s off-site catering business while assisting the Director of Sales and Events.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• MUST have an established and well-connected database 
• Generate new business opportunities for in-house events and off-site catering 
• Cultivate new, and maintain existing, client relationships
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities and relationships through professional industry resources, community events, outside sales calls, telemarketing, mailings, networking, etc. 
• Strong understanding of and expertise in the sales process 
• Drive revenue and grow the IDG Catering brand 
• Must have strong understanding of, and ability to, represent and maintain brand and company standards 
• Must have expert food and beverage knowledge, strong understanding of service standards, guest relations and etiquette 
• Able to spend MAJORITY of job generating outside sales, have the ability to travel to outside sales calls and/or events 
• Flexibility to work a schedule that may include evenings and weekends 
• Follow-up with client needs and client inquiries immediately - “End of Day Business Day” mentality 
• Correspond and communicate with clients and potential clients with all marketing collateral, including menus, photos, proposals, bids, contracts, confirmations, etc.? 
• Maintain precise and daily up-to-date records of all transactions
• Negotiate contracts for food and beverage, customize menus, create BEOs
• Identify, understand, and cater to each client’s individual needs for restaurant events and off-site catering and manage the guest decision process and relationship 
• Create and sustain a positive and productive dynamic with all team members, vendors, and partnerships
• Conduct site inspections and walk-throughs 
• Be a driven, ambitious, self-starting, creative, “out-of-the-box” thinker with the ability to work autonomously and with a team 
• Handle guest concerns and take appropriate action to ensure an experience of excellence 
• Have a proven track record of exceeding guest expectations and delivering a memorable experience

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Furthermore, the individual must be able to multi-task and work at various paces, adapting to business levels, manage time efficiently, be organized, detail oriented, have impeccable follow through, remain calm under pressure, and have reliable attendance. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Ability to provide verification of legal right to work in the United States. Must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Desire a minimum of five (5) years’ relevant experience in a high-end, high-volume restaurant, hotel, catering company or related field in Los Angeles. Bachelor’s degree preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must have excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; and, ability to read, create, and interpret documents such as contracts, BEOs, menus, presentations, COIs, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, training materials, and procedure manuals. Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and guests. 

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Strong computer skills with working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheets, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Open Table, and catering software. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to perform basic mathematical functions as relates to the essential functions of the job, i.e., ability to accurately calculate and estimate costs of events, tallying and reconciling bills, etc. 

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to carry out detailed and specific written and/or oral instructions. Ability to make decisions and problem solve on the spot. Must have ability to exercise effective judgment, sensitivity, and confidentiality. 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

It is the employee's responsibility to secure and maintain current status of all required certificates, licenses, or registrations when required by local, state, or federal government agencies. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to constant standing with some walking; be able to work in a standing position for long periods of time (up to 8 hours); use hands and fingers to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must often lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This job operates in the restaurants, out on site visits, traveling in one’s car, and working in close proximity to guests and co-workers. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud, generally in both an indoor and outdoor setting. The employee will work a varying schedule to include evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as business dictates. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to smoke, heat and/or cold from the mechanical equipment.

This job description has been approved by the Company. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.