Driftwood Hospitality Management · 6 days ago
Catering Sales Manager
San Diego, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
$60K/yr - $70K/yr
2+ years expDriftwood Hospitality Management is known for its integrated approach to hospitality services, and they are seeking a Catering Sales Manager at the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley. The role involves soliciting, booking, planning, and coordinating meetings/functions while maximizing banquet space to meet and exceed sales goals.
HospitalityHotelProperty Management
Responsibilities
Solicit, negotiate, and book new and repeat business through efforts (sales calls, telemarketing, mailings, networking, etc...) while maximizing banquet space to meet/exceed revenue goals
Execute a territorial marketing strategy to capture the maximum amount of revenue and meet/exceed sales goals
Plan, upsell and detail the meeting/function with the client including space requirements, times, equipment, menus, themes/decorations, etc. Complete the contracts, prepare the appropriate paperwork, coordinate with the appropriate areas in the hotel, and resolve any issues, complaints, and problems to ensure quality product delivery and customer satisfaction
Prepare status and period end reports to keep management abreast of activities
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of corporate/hotel procedures and products and the competition's product, strengths and weaknesses to continually improve sales strategies and the achievement of goals
Responds to incoming catering opportunities for the hotel
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
Effectively develops relationships within community to strengthen and expand customer base for catering sales opportunities
Effectively manages and develops relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
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 use sales resources and administrative/support staff
Conducts site inspections
Creates proposals as required
Creates contracts as required
Possesses excellent telephone sales skills
Possesses strong overall sales skills
Understands contract management and legalities
Possesses operational knowledge and/or appreciation of operations challenges
Has basic knowledge of food and beverage compositions
Is knowledgeable of food trends, food and beverage composition, and menu planning. Exercises creativity in designing catering sales solutions
Understands food and beverage forecasting and attrition
Understands need time strategy as developed by the Revenue Management Team (i.e. Director of Sales & Marketing and Director of Catering Sales)
Follows all Free Sell guidelines as specified by the Director of Catering Sales & Director of Sales & Marketing
Follows all sales strategy as specified by the Director of Catering Sales & Director of Sales & Marketing
Understands and achieves team and individual goals
Possesses software knowledge (Microsoft Office, etc.)
Possesses systems knowledge (MARSHA, CI/TY, or other similar programs)
Participate in communication and professional organizations to maintain high visibility and promote sales
Perform special projects and other responsibilities as assigned. Participate in task forces and committees as required
Ensures a high level of customer satisfaction and builds long terms mutually beneficial customer relationships to support future revenue growth
Coordinates and communicates verbally and in writing with customer (internal and external) regarding event details. Follows up with customer post-event
Makes presence always known to customer during this process, regardless of which hotel they sit at. Greets customer during the event phase and hands-off to the Convention Services department for the execution of details. Is available to solve problems and/or suggest alternatives to previous arrangements
Displays leadership in guest hospitality and ensures consistent, high-level service throughout all phases of hotel events. Ensures products and services sold to the Event Planners meet or exceed their expectations, create loyalty and leads to increased market share
Sets a positive example for guest relations
Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels. Effectively responds to and handles guest problems and complaints
Reviews Guest Service Results with leaders. Participates in the development and implementation of corrective action plans
Emphasizes guest satisfaction during all departmental meetings and focuses on continuous improvement
Utilizes MARSHA or other hotel system to capture and manage customer information daily
Applies broad business knowledge and balances both a short- and long-term perspective to generate strategies while leading the organization to achieve them
Holds self and others accountable for achieving results
Demonstrates commitment to Driftwood Hospitality operating principles and philosophies
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
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
Proactively identifies and develops talent within the organization
Analyzes candidate’s 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
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 learning, innovations, and best practices with others
Is willing to learn from others
Performs all technical/procedural requirements of the job
Qualification
Required
2 or more years of hotel catering experience or similar industry
Proven track record of a consistent ability to provide quality service
Strong verbal and written English communication skills
Knowledge of the Marriott brand policies and procedures
Knowledge of the catering, food & beverage with banquet knowledge
Skills needed to manage the people and variables encountered in the development and implementation of major functions
Computer literate in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Strong communication skills (verbal, listening, writing)
Strong problem-solving skills
Strong customer and associate relations skills
Strong presentation and platform skills
Strong organizational skills
Strong closing skills
Strong persuasion skills
Ability to use standard software applications and hotel system
Effective decision-making skills
Effective influence skills
Frequent walking, standing, sitting, hearing, talking, smiling
Lifting, pushing and pulling of objects weighing up to ten (10) pounds
Preferred
Previous leadership experience preferred
CI/TY experience strongly preferred
Computer literate with MARSHA preferred or other system used in hotel
Benefits
401(k)
Disability insurance
Employee assistance program
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Room Discounts
Employee Food and Beverage Discounts
Company
Driftwood Hospitality Management
Driftwood Hospitality Management provides development, repositioning, renovations, and hotel operations services for the hotel industry.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Marc Kepple, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Albert Harrison
Chief Information Officer
Recent News
Morningstar.com
2025-09-26
Seattle TechFlash
2025-06-16
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