Catering Sales Manager

Kessler Hospitality’s portfolio of artistically inspired boutique hotels boasts unique design, luxurious accommodations, enriching ambiance, and intuitive service. With properties in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina or South Carolina, each hotel’s exquisite art, music, and cultural influences are deliberately approachable. Designed to inspire and to encourage unforgettable experiences, Kessler guests are immersed in redefined Bohemian luxury, from a cutting-edge downtown icon to a premier luxury lodge, Savannah’s entertainment destination, and an elite ski lodge. Kessler Hospitality was the founding member of the Marriott Autograph Collection, introduced with seven Autograph Collection branded hotels. Each property is a bold, original hotel carefully created with style and the individualist traveler in mind.

Located in the heart of the Historic Biltmore Village, Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville, an AAA Four Diamond Autograph Collection property, boasts a Tudoresque exterior and a vastly individualistic interior. You can take in the view or explore the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains and Pisgah National Forest.

After a day of exploration, relax and unwind at The Spa at Grand Bohemian. Enjoy fine dining at Red Stag Grill, our on-site restaurant, or private dining in the boutique Black Forest Wine Room. Additional experiences include our inspiring art gallery featuring the work of local, regional, and international artists.

The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for soliciting new catering accounts, entertaining and sustaining relationships with existing accounts to meet and/or exceed revenue goals.  He/she must have a strong knowledge of weddings and understand the importance of prospecting in creating new sales opportunities for the hotel.  He/she is also responsible to coordinate and service client functions to ensure customer satisfaction while maintaining profitable operations and high quality products and service levels.  Candidates must be comfortable in problem solving with client relationships and event management.

• Keep immediate supervisor fully informed of all problems or matters requiring his/her attention.
• Prepare and submit required reports in a timely manner.
• Follow up on all turnovers within 24 hours via telephone and within 3 days with written correspondence.
• Know meeting room setups and capabilities.
• Know sleeping room configurations and types.
• Respond to Catering inquires immediately.
• Use the Partnership Agreement to meet client needs.
• Have comprehensive knowledge of all operational departments within the hotel; guest services, reservations, housekeeping, audio visual, switchboard, accounting, restaurants, bars, and engineering.
• Interact with outside planners, vendors for event setup.
• Maintain pricing integrity and propose upscale menus for clients.
• Manage existing accounts and follow up with client re-solicitation to capture future business.
• Work with other F&B managers and keep them informed of F&B issues as they arise.
• Manage the function diary and adjust space in order to ensure maximum potential revenue.
• Be visible on the floor and assist staff as needed during functions.
• Be involved in and/or conduct departmental and hotel training (One-to-One Training, etc.)
• Plan and execute holiday and special events in conjunction with the Director of Catering.
• Use feedback from client evaluations to improve service and quality.
• Participate in required M.O.D. program as scheduled.

• At least 4 years of progressive experience in a hotel or a related field; or a 2year college degree and 3 or more years of related experience; or a 4year college degree and at least 2 year of related experience.
• Must be proficient in Windows, Company approved spreadsheets and word processing.
• Proficiency in Delphi preferred.
• Flexible and long hours sometimes required.
• Medium work Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.
• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
• Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
• Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing nametags.
• Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
• Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.