Catering Sales Manager in San Diego, California at Huntington Hotels

Join the Huntington Hotel Group team! We are seeking an experienced Catering Manager to oversee catering sales and events for three properties in the San Diego/Oceanside market. This is a great opportunity to join an award-winning hospitality company with a strong focus on its people, properties, and guests.

The ideal candidate is organized, sales-driven, and enjoys building client relationships. This position will focus on generating catering business, planning and coordinating events, and working closely with hotel teams to ensure successful execution and a great guest experience.

The position will office out of San Diego Central, with some local travel required.

Build your career with Huntington Hotel Group. Learn more at www.huntingtonhotelgroup.com.

Catering Sales Manager

Department: Sales

Reports to: Director of Sales

Full-time employees are eligible for these benefits:

• 401k
• Dental Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Holidays
• Sick Leave
• Vacation
• Bonus structure

Qualifications

Previous catering sales, hotel sales, or event planning experience is preferred. However, if you are motivated, client-focused, and eager to learn, we will provide training and support to help you succeed in this role.

Catering Sales Responsibilities

• Drive catering and banquet revenue through proactive sales efforts, including phone calls, email outreach, client appointments, site tours, networking events, and trade shows.
• Solicit and secure corporate meetings, weddings, social gatherings, and other catered events to meet or exceed established sales goals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate clients, event planners, wedding planners, community organizations, and other referral partners to generate new and repeat business.
• Respond to all leads within 24 hours and maintain consistent follow-up to convert inquiries into confirmed bookings.
• Conduct site tours and client consultations to understand event needs, recommend appropriate spaces and menus, and present catering packages.
• Prepare proposals and contracts that accurately reflect event requirements, pricing, food and beverage minimums, and payment schedules in accordance with hotel policies.
• Identify opportunities to increase event revenue through menu upgrades, enhancements, and additional services that align with client needs and budgets.
• Coordinate event details with clients, including menu selections, guest counts, room layouts, timelines, dietary needs, and audiovisual requirements.
• Prepare and maintain accurate banquet event orders (BEOs), communicating updates promptly to culinary, banquet, and other hotel teams.
• Partner with culinary and banquet operations to ensure a smooth transition from the sales process to event execution and a consistent client experience.
• Track deposits, payment deadlines, final guarantees, and other contractual requirements in coordination with the appropriate departments.
• Maintain accurate account records, event details, and sales activity in the hotel's sales and catering system.
• Monitor catering revenue, booking pace, local market trends, and competitor offerings to identify opportunities for growth.
• Complete accurate weekly sales recaps and participate in sales meetings, BEO meetings, and special projects as assigned.
• Be present for key client arrivals and events as needed, and follow up after events to gather feedback, address concerns, and encourage repeat bookings and referrals.

Candidate Qualities & Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present catering offerings confidently and clearly.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple events, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong sales, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Attention to detail when preparing proposals, contracts, banquet event orders, and client communications.
• Ability to understand client goals and translate them into practical event plans.
• Professional and polished presentation, consistent with hotel grooming and dress standards.
• Flexible and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and collaborate with hotel teams.
• Commitment to exceptional service and responsive, thoughtful support throughout the planning and event process.
• Ability to remain calm, solve problems, and communicate effectively when event needs change.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business and event needs require.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, push, pull, and reach as needed throughout the workday, including during site tours and events.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 lbs., including collateral, displays, and event or sales materials.
• Comfortable working in hotel environments where there may be occasional exposure to standard cleaning agents or chemicals used in operations.

ADA: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

FLSA: Non-exempt manager

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification.