Catering Sales Manager

APA Hotels Woodbridge; Woodbridge Township (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

APA Hotels Woodbridge is seeking a Catering Sales Manager responsible for generating new catering business, selling meeting and banquet facilities, and managing events from inquiry through contract execution and handoff to operations.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, customer-focused, proactive in sales, and experienced in weddings, corporate events, and social celebrations. This role requires strong negotiation and relationship-building skills to maximize revenue.

Qualifications

• Previous catering, banquet, hotel sales, or event management experience.
• Proven ability to generate new business and achieve sales targets.
• Strong knowledge of catering operations, banquet menus, event planning, and food and beverage sales.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, presentation, and customer service skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple events and client accounts simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and hotel sales/catering systems.
• Delphi/FDC experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies to generate new catering, banquet, and event business.
• Proactively solicit corporate, social, wedding, association, and community accounts.
• Identify new market opportunities and build a strong pipeline of prospective clients.
• Conduct property tours, client presentations, and event space showcases.
• Prepare proposals, negotiate pricing, and secure signed catering and event contracts.
• Establish and maintain relationships with corporate planners, wedding coordinators, event planners, local businesses, and community organizations.
• Meet or exceed established catering revenue and sales goals.
• Coordinate with Banquets, Culinary, Food & Beverage, Front Office, and other departments to ensure successful event execution.

Skills

Sales

Business development

Negotiation

Communication

Presentation

Customer service

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Microsoft Office

Hotel sales systems

Delphi/FDC

Tools

Delphi/FDC

Job description

Seeking a Catering Sales Manager is responsible for generating new catering business, selling meeting and banquet facilities, developing client relationships, and managing events from the initial inquiry through contract execution and transition to the operations team.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, customer-focused, proactive in sales, and experienced in selling food and beverage functions, weddings, corporate events, and social celebrations.

We are a drug-free workplace and participate in E-Verify.

What you will be doing

Essential Duties & Responsibilities - Important Note: The details of this position in the description below are not limited to the functions listed. You may be required to perform additional reasonable duties according to business needs.

Sales & Business Development

• Develop and execute strategies to generate new catering, banquet, and event business.
• Proactively solicit corporate, social, wedding, association, and community accounts.
• Identify new market opportunities and build a strong pipeline of prospective clients.
• Conduct property tours, client presentations, and event space showcases.
• Prepare proposals, negotiate pricing, and secure signed catering and event contracts.
• Establish and maintain relationships with corporate planners, wedding coordinators, event planners, local businesses, and community organizations.
• Meet or exceed established catering revenue and sales goals.

Event Planning & Client Relations

• Manage catering accounts from the initial inquiry through contract signing and event handoff.
• Work closely with clients to understand event requirements, menu selections, room layouts, audiovisual needs, and special requests.
• Coordinate with Banquets, Culinary, Food & Beverage, Front Office, and other departments to ensure successful event execution.
• Conduct pre-event meetings and communicate all event details to the appropriate operational teams.
• Maintain consistent communication with clients to ensure satisfaction and encourage repeat business.
• Identify opportunities to upsell menus, beverage packages, guestrooms, meeting space, and additional hotel services.

Revenue Management & Administration

• Maximize catering revenue through effective pricing, menu recommendations, and space utilization.
• Maintain accurate sales records, event bookings, contracts, forecasts, and account information.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activity.
• Track sales performance and provide regular reports to management.
• Ensure all contracts, deposits, guarantees, and billing arrangements are properly documented.

Job Requirements:Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, employees may be required to work varying schedules (including Holidays and weekends) to reflect the business needs of the hotel. In addition, attendance at all scheduled training sessions and meetings is required.

Qualifications

• Previous catering, banquet, hotel sales, or event management experience.
• Proven ability to generate new business and achieve sales targets.
• Strong knowledge of catering operations, banquet menus, event planning, and food and beverage sales.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, presentation, and customer service skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple events and client accounts simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and hotel sales/catering systems. Delphi/FDC experience is a plus.
• Flexible availability when business needs require occasional evening or weekend client appointments.

Ideal candidate will be:

• A self-starter with a strong sales mentality.
• A relationship builder who understands the importance of repeat business.
• Creative and knowledgeable about weddings, social events, and corporate catering.
• Comfortable negotiating contracts and closing business.
• A team player who works effectively with hotel operations and culinary teams.
• Focused on revenue generation, client satisfaction, and exceptional hospitality.

Friendwell Managed Hotels function twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. As a part of the hospitality industry, a hospitable service atmosphere must be maintained at all times. All employees are required to project a friendly, welcoming, and positive attitude.

Source: Hospitality Online