Catering Sales Manager

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $92,000 - $97,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Director, the Catering Sales Manager is responsible for generating revenue as set forth in annual budget through managing sales efforts, solicitation and maintenance of Banquet accounts.  Oversee Banquets aspects of full-service catering department; provide full feedback of all events to Assistant Director; assist the Assistant Director with special projects.

Responsibilities    

• Accountable for solicitation of University in house events, social and all other target markets.  Executes and attains sales Goals as agreed upon by the Assistant Director
• Manages total sales effort with team members to include: outside calls, blitz calling, new prospect call and incoming inquiries as designated in annual action plan
• In collaboration with the Events Managers, monitors all banquet spaces for preventative maintenance and aesthetic qualities.
• Strategizes with Events Managers for revenue and space utilization.
• Reports all “need periods” and marketing ideas to Assistant Director for promotional collaterals.
• Monitors and reviews all correspondence including letters, e-mails, and contracts/agreements to verify accuracy and timeliness.
• Conducts periodic comparative analysis of competition. Generates monthly forecast on 90 period. Submits detailed month end reports to Assistant Director.
• Conducts monthly meetings with sales and operation staff; coordinates and leads event order meetings twice a week with operations, culinary, and audio visual.  Attends all necessary meetings as instructed by the Assistant Director.
• Monitors and ensures that all accounts are properly rated, traced and yielded, and managed through EMS.  Ensures that accounts are cleaned out according to monthly action plan.  (Releasing of space from system that has not confirmed to definite.)
• Collaborates with Chef and Assistant Director to update and maintain menu offerings.  Creates special menus and promotions to enhance selling tools.
• Recruits and attracts high performing service personnel and retains a workforce that reflects the diversity of the University.  Coaches, trains and develops direct reports to improve their skills/knowledge base to enhance interaction with all food and beverage, sales managers and operation managers to ensure a positive guest experience.  
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or equivalent. 
• Minimum 3-5 years of related experience required, preferably catering sales experience in an upscale food and beverage/catering operation with proven track record of accomplishments.
• Ability to interpret the business goals of the department and apply sales techniques to execute those goals.
• Must possess strong written and oral communication skills with ability to handle high-volume workload, manage concurrent projects, meet deadlines, and work as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise astute judgement.
• Requires excellent customer service orientation, strong leadership and people skills with ability to build and foster a team environment.
• Position requires knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and experience with any catering system such as EMPS or Delphi.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including nights/weekends and holidays.
• Knowledge of New York Metropolitan area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in banquet sales and catering services.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills are highly desirable.
• Multilingual ability strongly preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.