Sales Manager Catering & Events

THE OPPORTUNITY:

SALES AND CATERING MANAGER

REPORTS TO DIRECTOR OF SALES

THE COMPANY:

Passion Drives Performance. InnVest succeeds because our people love what we do. Our entire team shares a deep-rooted passion for the world of hospitality & travel that extends far beyond the walls of our offices and locations.

Our company culture is built on collaboration. A nimble team where everyone has a voice at the table and an opportunity to pursue their passions. Our skillsets are as diverse as our portfolio, but we all have a singular focus: a belief that partnerships deliver the best results, an entrepreneurial approach to decision making, respect for others, a strong sense of integrity, and a curiosity to challenge the status quo.

With over 100 hotels in our portfolio, representing 18 internationally recognized hotel brands, InnVest is the largest independent owner of hotels in Canada. In addition, our management team oversees the day-to-day activities of almost 90 hotels also making InnVest the largest independent operator of hotels in Canada. InnVest’s portfolio is geographically diverse with hotels from Vancouver, BC to Corner Brook, NL but also experientially diverse from roadside inns to luxury urban properties.

At InnVest, our mission is simple – to deliver outstanding guest experiences and superior returns on quality hospitality investment. A career at InnVest will provide you with unrivaled opportunities and invaluable exposure to Canada’s largest independently-owned and operated hotel portfolio.

ACTIVITIES:

The duties of the Sales and Catering Manager include, but are not limited to the following:

• Achieve established room night, meeting room and sales call quotas (including solicitation calls, customer sites, entertaining, and other correspondence).
• Proactively solicits and qualifies existing and new business to achieve personal and hotel revenue goals. This will be done through sales calls, trade shows, promotions, inquiries, telephone contacts and sales trips.
• Develop new customer partnerships along with nurturing existing relationships.
• Promptly send proposals, contracts, and other sales correspondence.
• Accurately confirm all bookings, quotes and negotiate rates while adhering to hotel rate structure, credit policies and general hotel policies and procedures.
• Assist in booking and finalizing catering contracts.
• Proactively work with hotel Brand sales colleagues to increase account share.
• Maintain an up -to-date accurate client file, database, and tracking system.
• Research markets to identify potential sources of business and increase market share.
• Responsible for full market knowledge as it relates to competitors and industry trends.
• Up selling on food and beverage and space requirements, up sell food, beverage and space requirements to maximize revenues.
• Effective communication by telephone, and written correspondence (contracts, confirmation letters, follow up letters).
• Communicate Catering Contracts requirements and last-minute requests or concerns to the appropriate departments throughout the hotel.
• Ensuring proper problem-solving skills are practiced. 
• Reviewing and modifying the “Weekly Catering Summary.” 
• Completing Weekly Catering Activity Planner. 
• Ensuring any incoming contracts is being maintained on a daily basis.  
• Follow up on all inquiries to ensure maximum bookings. 
• Familiarizing with all responsibilities and procedures in the Catering Office. 
• Must ensure all proper procedure for billing and credit approval are completed. 
• Ensuring that all company guarantees are completed 72 hours prior to their meeting or function.
• The Catering Sales Manager must complete a follow up call on his/her booking to ensure total guest satisfaction. 
• Community involvement – attend appropriate community functions and become part of  local business organizations.
• Prepare sales reports and attend regular sales meetings.
• Participate in the weekly Manager on duty program.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Sales.
• The Catering office must never be left unattended, catering hours Monday – Saturday 8:30am to 6pm 
• Any other miscellaneous duties as required 

COMPETENCIES WE ARE SEEKING:

• 2 years’ experience in Conference & Catering Management/Banquet Management with additional Sales experience. (hotel operations background preferred) 
• Related college/university diploma/degree.  
• Must be creative and effective leader, possessing a high degree of professionalism and superior customer skills. 
• High energy level, exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, strong teamwork and employee relations skills required.
• Excellent problem solving, communication (both written and verbal) presentation skills required as well as the ability to close a sale.
• Proven ability to up sell and manage multi-tasked assignments. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, knowledge of Opera PMS would be an asset. 
• Ability to multi-task. 
• Oral written communication. 
• Effective listening skills.