Catering Sales Manager

About us

Built in 1911 and on the National Register of Historic Places the Hood River Hotel is the place to stay in the Columbia River Gorge.

We are in the center of downtown nestled amidst local artisan shops, eateries, wineries, brew pubs and a myriad of outdoor adventure destinations.

Enjoy food and drink from our Scandinavian inspired Broder Ost or chill in our lobby reading, playing games or watching the day go by.

Conference Services Manager (CSM)
Salary: $40,000
– $50,000, plus bonus opportunities
Job Type: Full-time

Full Job Description

Job Category: Sales & Marketing
Location: The Hood River Hotel
Schedule: Full-Time
Relocation?

N
Position Type Management
Located Remotely?

N

Built in 1911 and on the National Register of Historic Places the Hood River Hotel is the place to stay in the Columbia River Gorge.

We are in the center of downtown nestled amidst local artisan shops, eateries, wineries, brew pubs and a myriad of outdoor adventure destinations.

Enjoy food and drink from our
Scandinavian inspired Broder Ost or chill in our lobby reading, playing games or watching the day go by.

POSITION SUMMARY

Our mission is to be the best loved Hotel in the Gorge.

So regardless of position, we look for individuals who are passionate about providing genuine heartfelt care to our guests and employees.

The Hood River
Hotel is now seeking a Conference Services Manager (CSM) located in the heart of the Columbia River
Gorge.

The Conference Services Manager (CSM) is responsible for effectively soliciting accounts in all market segments, with a focus on soliciting groups, weddings, catering, and event accounts.

The Catering
Sales Manager plays an active role in event planning, site inspections, food and beverage negotiations and room rate negotiations.

This person will accurately produce all group & catering contracts and banquet event orders while working closely with other hotel departments to help facilitate services agreed upon by the sales office and prospective clients.

The Catering Sales Manager is a liaison between client and operating departments to ensure a successful event and to generate repeat business.

This position will ensure proper collection of funds for groups and events, both directly with the client and with the accounting team and will produce weekly sales-related reports.

What you get to do!

The Conference Services Manager must strive to achieve a balance between selling, servicing and the profitability of the organization.

Through efficient management of the conference requirements, the goal is to capture the hotel’s fair share of revenue through room rate, food, beverage, room rental and auxiliary services, such as audio visual provisions, storage and labor fees and other applicable fees.

The (CSM) sells and services groups within assigned markets and works to ensure the success of conference groups, serving as the liaison between the hotel operating departments and the client.

The design and management of conference logistics must include labor saving measures, as applicable.

The CSM must effectively communicate and coordinate all aspects of conference planning.

Perform general office and computer duties with Google Drive Office Platform.

Prepare sales-related documents throughout the sales process (e.g., proposals, contracts, or banquet event orders).Gather materials and assemble information packages (e.g., brochures, promotional materials).

Use sales techniques that maximize revenue while maintaining existing guest loyalty to our property.

Enter, retrieve, reconcile, and verify information with SalesForce Cloud software involved in the sales process.

Answer guest questions about property facilities/services (e.g., hours of operation, rates and room types, packages, promotions, entertainment, restaurants, special events).

Promote awareness of brand image internally and externally.

Serve as the point of contact for clients and communicate with them by phone,
Zoom and email to respond to questions and requests.

Follow all company policies and procedures; ensure uniform and personal appearance are clean and professional; maintain confidentiality of proprietary information; protect company assets.

Welcome and acknowledge all guests according to company standards; anticipate and address guests’ service needs; thank guests with genuine appreciation.

Speak with others using clear and professional language; prepare and review written documents accurately and completely; answer telephones using appropriate etiquette.

Develop and maintain positive working relationships with others; support team to reach common goals; listen and respond appropriately to the concerns of other employees.

Comply with quality assurance expectations and standards.

Move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing less than or equal to 25 pounds without assistance.

Perform other reasonable job duties as requested by
Supervisors.

Your Day to Day!

Develop professional and trusted relationships with existing and new clients.
Secure business in assigned market segments to drive revenue to the hotel.
Coordinates meetings, conferences, exhibit shows or other special events and activities with accuracy and detailed communication outlines for the client and hotel departments, providing the appropriate memos, Banquet Event Orders, Group Profiles and other communications as necessary.

Obtains Conference rooming lists, monitors cut-off dates, obtains rooming lists by the due date and in accordance with the sales contract.

Assists conference clients with off-premise (hotel) details as they may affect the hotel service.
Collaborates with the Director of Sales for all purchases, rental or leasing of equipment or supportive requirements of conference groups prior to and in advance of the actual date of use.
Maintains accurate and current space (room) blocks in the group function log, observing proper turnovers and releasing space appropriately and timely, so to maximize the revenue potential of the hotel through the booking of other business opportunities.

Utilizes the office file system, trace system and general office systems in accordance with the current policies and procedures.

Completes all special projects as assigned by the Director of Sales in a timely manner, while meeting the specified objectives of the assigned project.

Maximizes the hotel’s revenue potential by assessing/monitoring room rental fees, electrical charges, telephone charges, box delivery/storage fees, service fees and other revenue-generating factors in accordance to the sales contract and with regard to hotel policies.

Responsible for completeness and accuracy of all conference menus, conference profiles, and event orders.

Takes prompt, corrective action when issues or unusual matters of significance arise.

Informs other hotel and restaurant leadership as appropriate.

Maintains flexible hours to accommodate customer needs, due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry.

Summer hours may require a Tuesday – Saturday schedule.

Work directly with the Director of Sales & Business Development on sales efforts and activities.
REQUIREMENTS:

Previous sales or event management experience in the hospitality or travel industry is preferred but not required.

To be successful in this role, you need strong verbal and written communication skills.

You must be able to drive, read, write, type and use various forms of technology.

You must be able to lift at least 25 pounds.

BENEFITS:

We offer eligible employees a number of benefits to enhance their health and well-being:
Health Care Stipend
Cell Phone Allowance
Paid time off including vacation days, sick leave and holidays
Comp rooms at sister hotel properties
High School diploma or GED certification required; College degree preferred.

Minimum of two years of hotel sales management experience.

Must be able to work mornings, nights, weekends and holidays as dictated by hotel business levels.

Must be able to convey information and ideas clearly, both oral and written.

Must work well in stressful, high-pressured situations.

Must be able to prioritize departmental functions to meet due dates and deadlines.

Must love working with people and creating successful events.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00
– $50,000.00 per year

Education:
High school or equivalent (Preferred)
Experience:
Sales Experience: 1 year (Preferred)
License/Certification:
Driver’s License (Preferred)