Catering Manager jobs in La Crosse, WI

Do you enjoy putting a smile on people’s faces and creating memories that will last a lifetime? At the Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington located in the heart of 494 & France Avenue, you will have the opportunity for a rewarding career working with hospitality professionals who together to make the hotel one of the top ranked Hiltons in North America. Our priority is providing our guests and team members with exceptional experiences every day.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:  Responsible for soliciting new accounts, detailing own events, entertaining and maintaining relationships with existing accounts.  Assists the Director of Events and any other managers with clients and hotel personnel in the handling of catering and sales accounts. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1.     Travel to meet with or call clients by telephone to solicit new catering business for all areas of the hotel.

2.     Meet daily prospecting goals to increase business in corporate events.

3.     Meet and greet clients, conduct property tours and promote facilities and services.  Answer customer inquiries.

4.     Develop & detail BEOs, client menus, write contracts and letters, as well as organize other arrangements as they relate to social and/or corporate events.

5.     Meet all in-house contacts at the start of each function to ensure the guest satisfaction of event.

6.     Communicate with relevant departments to ensure proper servicing of accounts.

7.     Responsible for individual weekly sales reports and maintaining monthly catering forecast through Delphi.

8.     Regular attendance at all meetings to include Staff and Sales and Food and Beverage meetings.

9.     Promptly answer telephone calls following hotel standards in a professional and customer focused manner.

10.  Work cooperatively with group coordinator & sales team to achieve 100% customer service assistance goal for all telephone communication and requests for service

11.  Conduct contract/BEO review and facilitate communication before, during and post event with pertinent hotel staff to ensure a high level of service. 

12.  Type correspondence, proposals and contracts as directed by management. Process contracts for relevant departments.  Distribution of memos, contracts, Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), and amenities to relevant departments throughout the hotel.

13.  Participate in tradeshows/off site events for future business/networking as needed.

14.  Conduct hotel site tours for corporate parties interested in booking including suites.

15.  Assist Coordinator with weekly Distribution packet to relevant departments and managers.

16.  Maintain change log and assist coordinator to distribute change logs according to procedure as needed.

17.  Copy and email necessary documentation for clients and hotel use.

18.  Assist Director of Catering with catering details to include, but not limited to: daily name plate creation, calling for catering guarantee counts, and calling for signed contracts.

19.  Oversee the event daily posting to ensure accuracy

20.  Make recommendations to his/her supervisor regarding improved methods and procedures so as to have a positive impact on guest/associate satisfaction.

21.  Knowledge of hotel guest rooms and rates in order to sell sleeping rooms for catering groups.

22.  Ensure all catering billing is established. Ensure all A/V equipment is ordered and billed properly for functions.

23.  Participate in MOD, Journey Ambassador, and other hotel management responsibilities. 

24.  Full knowledge and participation in the hotel's Fire, Safety, Security, and Environmental plan and/or committees.

25.  Ensure appropriate standards of conduct, dress, hygiene, and appearance are maintained.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

1.     Thorough knowledge of service flow and capabilities in all revenue areas. 

2.     Ability to effectively network and market our property.

3.     Able to work independently.

4.     Knowledge of Delphi and OnQ

5.     Able to use Microsoft Word and Excel.

6.     Strong multiple project management skills.

7.     Good communication skills

8.     Ability to read, write and speak the English language fluently to interact with clients.

9.     Ability to analyze client needs and negotiate pricing.

10.     Ability to work under time pressures and extensive hours.

11.     Previous hotel experience required, operational food and beverage experience preferred.

12.     Previous hotel/restaurant management experience required.

13.  Previous hotel banquet experience preferred.

14.  Proper business etiquette through all communication channels.

At the Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington, we offer the following great benefits:

• Competitive wages
• Free employee meal
• Room discounts for Hilton properties and Marcus Hotels & Resorts properties
• Movie Theater ticket discounts
• Employee referral bonus program

We will verify through E-Verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an Equal Opportunity Employer.