Catering & Conference Services Manager OEM

Description

The Catering & Conference Services Manager is responsible for generating and managing Catering & Conference Services within the hotel. This position involves client acquisition, event planning coordination, and maintaining strong client relationships to maximize revenue while ensuring guest satisfaction. This role is critical for the hotel’s success in growing its catering and event business, ensuring a positive guest experience while achieving revenue goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales and Revenue Generation

Proactively identify, solicit, and close Catering & Conference Services opportunities to achieve revenue targets.

Build and maintain relationships with corporate clients, wedding planners, and event organizers.

Develop and present catering proposals tailored to client needs and budget.

Collaborate with the sales and marketing team to create promotional campaigns for catering services.

Event Coordination

Serve as the main point of contact for Catering clients from initial inquiry to post-event follow-up. Detail and service groups sold by Sales Managers as business demands. Work with the hotel’s banquet and culinary teams to ensure seamless execution of events. Conduct site visits, client tastings, and event walkthroughs to finalize details. Create and manage Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) to communicate client requirements to operations teams.

Guest Relationship Management:

Provide exceptional customer service to clients, addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly.

Maintain ongoing relationships with clients to encourage repeat business.

Gather and analyze client feedback to continuously improve service standards.

Administrative and Operational Duties

Prepare and manage contracts, proposals, and event budgets.

Maintain accurate records in hotel sales and catering management systems (e.g., Delphi, Opera).

Monitor event profitability and ensure adherence to hotel policies and procedures.

Collaboration

Partner with the Food & Beverage, banquet, and event planning teams to ensure all aspects of the event are executed according to plan.

Coordinate with the hotel’s sales team to cross-sell services, including guest rooms and other amenities.

Marketing and Networking

Represent the hotel at trade shows, networking events, and community outreach initiatives.

Assist in creating marketing materials and digital campaigns to promote catering services.

Billing and Event Closure

Monitor collection of pre-payment for all groups prior to their arrival. Ensure that all revenues are posted accurately by the Banquets team, and responsible for invoicing clients and collecting payment.

The salary budgeted for this role is $65,000 - $75,000 DOE + Incentive Plan Eligible

Requirements

• MARRIOTT CI/TY EXPERIENCE WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY
• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, business, or a related field (preferred).
• 2+ years of experience in Catering & Conference Services, event planning, or hotel sales.
• Strong knowledge of hotel operations, catering trends, and event logistics.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in hotel CRM and sales software (e.g., CI/TY). Marriott experience is a huge plus!
• Availability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, based on event schedules.
• Attention to detail and multitasking
• Budget management and cost analysis