Catering Sales Manager in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania at Sheraton Valley Forge

The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for generating, managing, and maximizing catering and event business for Sheraton Valley Forge. This position focuses on selling, contracting, and coordinating social events, weddings, corporate meetings, banquets, and other catered functions while delivering exceptional client experiences and achieving hotel revenue objectives.

The Catering Sales Manager serves as the primary point of contact for assigned clients throughout the sales and planning process, ensuring successful execution through effective communication and collaboration with hotel operating departments.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Catering Sales & Revenue Generation
Actively solicit, prospect, and generate new catering and event business through networking, referrals, client outreach, and market development.

Manage incoming catering inquiries, respond to leads promptly, and convert opportunities into confirmed business.

Conduct property tours, client presentations, and event consultations.

Develop customized proposals, banquet event orders, contracts, and pricing packages.

Negotiate event agreements, pricing, menus, and concessions within established hotel guidelines.

Achieve assigned catering revenue, booking, and sales production goals.

Identify opportunities to maximize event revenue through food and beverage packages, room rentals, audiovisual services, and additional offerings.

Maintain relationships with corporate clients, wedding planners, social event organizers, and repeat customers.

Event Planning & Client Relationship Management
Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned catering clients from initial inquiry through event turnover and completion.

Coordinate event details, including room setup, guest counts, menus, timelines, audiovisual needs, special requests, and billing arrangements.

Conduct planning meetings, tastings, site inspections, and final event reviews as appropriate.

Ensure all event details are accurately documented and communicated to operational departments.

Maintain exceptional client satisfaction through proactive communication and personalized service.

Address client concerns professionally and facilitate appropriate service recovery.

Build long-term relationships that encourage repeat business and referrals.

Banquet & Operational Coordination
Collaborate closely with Banquets, Food & Beverage, Culinary, Front Office, Engineering, and other departments to ensure seamless event execution.

Prepare and distribute accurate Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) and event-related documentation.

Participate in BEO meetings and communicate event requirements, changes, and special arrangements.

Ensure operational teams receive complete and timely event information.

Conduct event walkthroughs and support onsite client needs as appropriate.

Monitor event execution and partner with operational leaders to resolve issues.

Support the hotel's commitment to exceptional guest experiences and operational excellence.

Financial & Administrative Responsibilities
Maintain accurate sales records, contracts, client correspondence, and event documentation.

Manage catering accounts and monitor booking pace, revenue forecasts, and event conversion.

Ensure contracts, deposits, payments, and billing arrangements are completed in accordance with hotel policies.

Track catering revenue, event profitability, and sales performance.

Support forecasting, budgeting, and revenue management initiatives.

Maintain accurate information within hotel sales and catering systems.

Review event details to identify opportunities for revenue optimization and operational efficiency.

Sales & Marketing Collaboration
Partner with the Sales team and hotel leadership to execute sales strategies and achieve business objectives.

Participate in sales meetings, networking events, industry functions, and promotional activities.

Support marketing initiatives that promote catering, weddings, social events, and banquet offerings.

Identify market trends, competitive opportunities, and potential new business segments.

Maintain awareness of competitor offerings, pricing, and local market activity.

Represent Sheraton Valley Forge professionally within the hospitality and events community.

Qualifications
Minimum of 2–3 years of catering sales, event sales, or hospitality sales experience preferred.

Previous experience in a full-service hotel or banquet environment strongly preferred.

Experience selling weddings, social events, corporate meetings, and catered functions preferred.

Strong sales, negotiation, and client relationship management skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Ability to manage multiple events, deadlines, and client expectations simultaneously.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and hotel sales/catering systems.

Ability to work flexible schedules, including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays based on client and business needs.

Experienced Preferred in CI/TY.

Core Competencies
Revenue Generation & Sales Performance

Client Relationship Management

Event Planning & Coordination

Negotiation & Contract Management

Communication & Collaboration

Financial Accountability

Attention to Detail

Problem Solving & Service Recovery

Professionalism & Hospitality Excellence

Physical Requirements
Ability to stand and walk throughout hotel facilities during tours and events.

Ability to navigate banquet spaces, meeting rooms, and hotel facilities.

Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Sheraton Valley Forge is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to protected characteristics in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Disclaimer: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the individual assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications. Responsibilities may be modified as business needs require.