Catering & Conference Services Executive

JOB SUMMARY

As the local on property catering and or wedding sales contact for customers the Catering and Conference Services Executive is responsible for proactively soliciting and primarily handling complex accounts or markets and complex events with greater revenue potential. Actively upsells each business opportunity to maximize revenue. Achieves personal and team related revenue goals. Ensures business is turned over properly and in timely fashion for proper service delivery. Ensures compliance with Ritz-Carlton Operating Standards to maintain brand integrity. Supports and acts on behalf of the Director of Catering in his/her absence. Is the event planners primary contact on property and is responsible for their experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Business RESULTS

• Responds to incoming catering opportunities for the hotel
• Effectively up-sells products and services throughout the sales process.
• Proactively identifies qualifies and solicits new catering business to achieve personal and hotel revenue goals.
• Closes the best opportunities for the hotel based on market conditions and hotel needs.
• Understands competitors strengths and weaknesses and knows how to sell against them.
• Uses negotiating skills and creative selling abilities to close on business and negotiate contracts.
• Excellent at customer relationship building for future bookings.
• Ensures a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Builds and strengthens relationships with existing and new customers to include sales calls (to include outside sales calls) prospecting/solicitation calls entertainment bridal shows etc.
• Effectively offer catering event solutions for both Arabic and Western clientele based on adherence to cultural requirements.
• Primarily drive catering sales/events to achieve personal and hotel revenue goals.
• Effectively use sales resources and administrative/support staff.
• Conducts site inspections.
• Creates proposals as required.
• Creates contracts as required.
• Provides accurate complete and effective execution of event requirements.
• Possesses excellent telephone sales skills.
• Possesses strong overall sales skills.
• Possesses knowledge/appreciation of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company brand culture philosophies and initiatives.
• Understands contract management and legalities.
• Possesses operational knowledge and/or appreciation of operations challenges.
• Has knowledge of food and beverage compositions.
• Is knowledgeable of food trends food and beverage composition and menu creativity in designing catering sales solutions.
• Understands food and beverage forecasting and attrition.
• Participates with the Revenue Management Team (i.e. DOSM and Director of Catering) in the development of need time strategy.
• Follows all Free Sell guidelines as specified by the Director of Catering and DOCCS.
• Follows all sales strategy as specified by the Director of Catering and DOCCS.
• Understands and achieves team and individual goals.
• Possesses software knowledge (Microsoft Office etc).
• Possesses systems knowledge (Opera S&C Meeting Matrix and related systems).
• Attend BEO meeting to ensure operational alignment of all attending departments for next events. Attend weekly Customer Engagement Meeting.

Leadership

applies broad business knowledge and balances both a short- and long-term perspective to generate strategies while leading the organization to achieve them.

• Demonstrates commitment to The Ritz-Carlton operating principles and philosophies.
• Holds self and others accountable for achieving results.
• Addresses conflict in a timely manner.
• Contributes to team results.
• Deals with change effectively.
• Makes decisions including employees/team and commits to a course of action with available information.
• Acts as a mentor for other managers in the department.

Building Relationships

eliminates insular thinking by fostering a positive climate for work relationships and teams committed to achieving organizational goals and initiatives.

• Treats people fairly with dignity and respect.
• Works to meet goals in a manner that does not disadvantage other employees or groups.
• Demonstrates business ethics and personal integrity i.e. is widely trusted; is seen as a direct truthful individual.
• Listens and responds to others.
• Is interested in others views even if they counter own views.

Managing Work Execution

proactively ensures that others have the accountability authority and resources necessary to both manage work execution and drive for results.

• Approaches work with a sense of urgency and purpose.
• Allocates time and resources effectively when faced with competing demands.
• Overcomes obstacles to accomplish challenging objectives.
• Follows through on inquiries requests and complaints.

Generating Talent

proactively identifies and develops talent within the organization.

• Analyzes candidates job-related themes skills and competencies to ensure each placement decision maximizes team dynamics and talent utilization.
• Discusses problems immediately with others before they are forgotten or get out of control.
• Actively pursues self development.
• Explains own rationale and thought processes to help employees improve their skills.

Organizational Learner

actively pursues learning and self-development to enhance personal professional and business growth; shares learning; demonstrates depth of knowledge in technical or specialized area

• Acts independently to improve and increase skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates an awareness of personal strengths and areas for professional improvement.
• Shares learnings innovations and best practices with others.
• Is willing to learn from others.
• Performs all technical/procedural requirements of the job.

PROFILE

Skills and Knowledge

• Effective up-sell skills of products and services
• Knowledge of menu planning food presentation and banquet and event service operations
• Ability to manage meeting space inventories
• Broad understanding of facility management (sanitation maintenance operations)
• Strong customer development and relationship management skills
• Knowledge of overall hotel operations as they affect department
• Knowledge of Audio Video products and services
• Knowledge of contract management and legalities
• Strong communication skills (verbal listening writing)
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong customer and associate relation skills
• Strong presentation and platform skills
• Strong organization skills
• Strong persuasion skills
• Ability to use standard software applications and hotel systems
• Effective decision making skills
• Effective influence skills

Education or Certification

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Bachelors Degree preferred
• CMP (Certification in Meeting Professional and/or CSEP (Certified Special Event Professional) certification preferred

I acknowledge receipt of my job description. I have read and understand my responsibilities and agree to carry them out. I also understand that it is not the intent of this job description to cover all aspects of the position but to highlight the most important areas of responsibilities. From time to time my job description may change or I may be asked to perform reasonable duties outside of this scope by which I am expected to abide.

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