Catering Sales Manager

At Chicago Marriott Northwest, our people come first. We are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity, growth, development, and well-being. Our commitment to a People First culture is evident in our approach to employee development, benefits, and building meaningful relationships.

We offer a range of employment benefits, including comprehensive health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. You'll also enjoy unique perks such as employee engagement opportunities, onsite events, local discounts, and employee rates on hotel stays. Plus, we're committed to providing ongoing training and development opportunities to help you build the skills and knowledge needed to advance your career.

Whether you're just starting out in the hospitality industry or are a seasoned professional, Chicago Marriott Northwest offers a supportive and collaborative work environment that encourages growth and fosters success properties worldwide. Join our team and experience the benefits of working for a company that truly values its employees and is dedicated to creating exceptional guest experiences.

Our Location

Chicago Marriott Northwest, nestled in the northwest suburbs off I90 Toll Road and Route 59, just 30 minutes outside of Chicago. Our hotel is the perfect work-home away from home base for suburban, urban and even farm country dwellers.

Our property boasts newly renovated, rooms and suites, opening soon Bar Louie restaurant, Starbucks, M Club for our Elite Marriott Members, a banquet hall with plenty of flexible event spaces, a fitness center, and pools. Experience our Culture of Care and discover what a career at the Chicago Marriott Northwest with Blue Ridge Hospitality Group can mean for you!

Our Company Overview

At Chicago Marriott Northwest, we are looking for a highly motivated and analytical individual with experience in creating and managing luxury catering events to join our team as Catering Sales Manager. The Catering Sales Manager is a key position that will be responsible for selling revenue generating catered events to include, but not limited to weddings, social, meetings & conference events with all relevant profit driving components. In addition, the position will detail, service, and plan for the success of these events with collaboration of key departments to achieve maximum profitability and guest satisfaction. The successful candidate will be creative, a problem solver, has a proven record of being a team player, is open to learning and leading by example, responds in a professional and courteous manner to guests and team.

Catering Sales Manager- Key Responsibilities

This position is accountable for proactively soliciting and handling catering sales opportunities. Ensures business is turned over properly and in a timely fashion for proper service delivery. Conducts day-to-day activities related to catering sales with a focus on building long-term, value-based customer relationships that enable achievement of sales objectives. Achieves personal sales goals:

Building Successful Relationships that Generate Sales Opportunities

• Proactively builds and strengthens relationships with existing and new customers to enable future bookings. Activities could include sales calls, entertainment, FAM trips, trade shows, etc.
• Develops relationships within community to strengthen and expand customer base for sales opportunities.
• Manages and develops relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Provides accurate, complete and effective turnover to Event Management.

Engaging in Sales Activities

• Researches and develops new leads for catering business.
• Participates in catering sales calls with members of sales team to acquire new business and/or close on business.
• Upsells each business opportunity to maximize revenue potential.
• Executes and supports the operational aspects of business booked (e.g., generating proposal, writing contract, customer correspondence).

Using Knowledge of Market Trends and Target Customer Information to Maximize Revenue

• Identifies new business to achieve personal and location revenue goals.
• Understands the overall market - competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand etc. and knows how to sell against them.
• Closes the best opportunities for the location based on market conditions and location needs.
• Gains understanding of the location’s primary target customer and service expectations; serves the customer by understanding their business, business issues and concerns, to offer better business solution.

Catering Sales Manager - Additional Responsibilities

• Executes brand’s Customer Service Standards and property’s Brand Standards.

• Sets a positive example for guest relations.

• Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.

Catering Sales Manager - Education and Experience:

• Associate’s degree or above in business, event coordinating, culinary arts, hospitality, or a related field

• Minimum of 2-year experience in sales or hospitality will be essential

• Must possess exceptional customer service and a high sense of urgency.