What are the responsibilities and job description for the Catering Sales Manager position at Messina's Inc.?
Award-winning New Orleans food and beverage company, is seeking an energetic Sales Manager who is interested in joining our growing team! Celebrating over 60 years in New Orleans, Messina’s Catering and Events is a family-operated New Orleans food and beverage company which has received numerous local and national awards for its personal service, culinary expertise, and attention to detail. We are a full-service caterer and Food management company, and our portfolio of operations encompass multiple venues, convention centers, restaurants, offsite catering division and a festival management division.
Messina’s Catering and Events invites you to apply today to join our team!
Company Mission:
Passionate about perfection. Committed to excellence. Passion. Commitment. Excellence.
Core Values:
Teamwork - Passion for excellence - Positive environment - Innovative and fresh
Catering Sales Manager
Job Overview:
The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for generating and increasing revenue through the sale of catering services to corporate, social, and special event clients. The Catering Sales Manager will work closely with the catering and culinary teams to ensure that all events are executed flawlessly and meet or exceed the client's expectations. Our company is passionate about perfection, committed to excellence, and driven by our core values of teamwork, passion for excellence, positive environment, and innovative and fresh thinking.
General Responsibilities:
- Identify and develop new business opportunities for catering services.
- Develop and maintain relationships with clients to ensure repeat business.
- Respond to inquiries and requests for proposals (RFPs) in a timely and professional manner.
- Prepare and present proposals to clients, including menus, pricing, and event details.
- Negotiate contracts and terms with clients.
- Collaborate with the catering and culinary teams to ensure the successful execution of events.
- Communicate event details to all necessary departments and ensure that all stakeholders are informed and prepared.
- Monitor and report on sales performance and market trends.
- Leading, Managing, Hiring, training, developing, and supervising staff members across sales and other necessary departments, ensuring high standards of service and professionalism.
- Attend industry events and conferences to network and stay up-to-date on industry trends.
- Manage catering sales budgets and provide regular reporting to senior management.
- Plan and coordinate event details with clients, including site visits, wedding tastings, and client meetings to ensure all aspects of the event are executed flawlessly and meet or exceed the client's expectations.
- Coordinate with vendors, such as florists, rental companies, and entertainment providers, to ensure that all event components are seamlessly integrated and executed.
- Provide timely and accurate information to all necessary departments, including the kitchen, banquet staff, and event setup teams, to ensure a smooth and efficient event execution.
- Conduct post-event follow-up with clients to obtain feedback and ensure satisfaction and use this information to continually improve the catering services.Meet with Clients for Site Visits, which can happen Monday through Sunday.
- Greeting Clients for the start of their events to ensure their event begins successfully while coordinating with the Operations Team for the Day of event fulfillment.
- Perform other Duties and responsibilities as assigned
Job Qualifications
Experience/Knowledge:
- Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, business administration, or a related field is preferred, but not required. Equivalent work experience will also be considered.
- 3-5 years of experience in catering sales within the Restaurant, Food, & Hospitality industry and or a related field.
- Proven track record of success in generating new business and increasing revenue.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with guests, staff members, and other stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Financial acumen to manage budgets and ensure profitability
Skills/Aptitude:
- Presents self in a highly professional manner to others and understands that honesty and ethics are essential.
- Ability to maintain a positive attitude.
- Ability to communicate with co-workers and other departments with professionalism and respect.
- Maintains a professional relationship with all coworkers, vendor representatives, supervisors, managers, customers, and client representatives.
- Proficiency in using CRM software, Microsoft Office, and other relevant software tools
- Proven sales and negotiation skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities
- Good working knowledge of food preparation.
- Requires familiarity of kitchen equipment.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings as required by the job.
- Ability to think creatively and provide innovative solutions to clients
- Must be able to read and follow a recipe unsupervised.
License/Qualifications:
Certifications: None.
General Qualifications:
- Professional demeanor and appearance, including the ability to dress appropriately in business casual attire
- Guest Focus: A passion for creating exceptional guest experiences, with the ability to anticipate guest needs and respond to feedback in a timely and effective manner.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to complex problems, with a focus on long-term growth and sustainability.
- Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of financial principles and the ability to manage budgets, monitor financial performance, and identify opportunities to increase revenue and profitability.
- Communication: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with guests, staff members, and other stakeholders in a clear and professional manner.
- Attention to Detail: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and maintain a high level of accuracy.
- Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities, with the flexibility to adjust plans and strategies as needed.
- Teamwork: A collaborative and team-oriented approach to work, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues at all levels of the organization.
- Problem Solving: Ability to identify and analyze problems, develop solutions, and implement effective strategies to address issues as they arise.
Physical Requirements:
- Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, with or without corrective lenses.
- Significant walking or other means of mobility.
- Ability to work in a standing position for long periods of time.
- Ability to reach, bend, stoop, push and/or pull, and frequently lift up to 35 pounds and occasionally lift/move 50 pounds.
Working Conditions:
- Generally, in an indoor setting, however, may supervise outside activities and events.
- Varying schedule to include evenings, holidays, weekends, and extended hours based on the needs of the business.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is primarily in a controlled, temperate environment; however, may be exposed to heat/cold during support of outside activities.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
