Catering Sales Manager - Branson Convention Center

Position Summary         

The Branson Convention Center Catering Sales Manager is responsible for marketing, selling, and providing logistical support and client interface for events utilizing catering, concessions, bars, and other food and beverage. The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for achieving sales goals set by the Director of Sales and provides support to the food and beverage department. The Catering Sales Manager must be available to work a variable, event-driven schedule includes evenings, weekends, and holidays. A professional demeanor, interpersonal skills, and self-direction are required.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

·        Works directly with clients to sell and select the best menu for their event; maintains close contact with clients, vendors, and staff to ensure a high level of service

·        Meets with clients, external vendors, and internal teams assigned to events to facilitate food and beverage logistics

·        Provides estimates and proposals to the Sales team for potential events and RFPs; attends site visits and walkthroughs with Sales team for prospective clients inquiring about food and beverage

·        Coordinate and conduct tastings as needed with large-spend events ordering food and beverage

·        Produce Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) for each food and beverage function during assigned events with approval from clients; obtains final guarantees and distributes BEOs to internal staff in a timely manner for ordering and scheduling.

·        Proactively identifies opportunities to upsell food and beverage services, including enhanced menus, premium beverage packages, specialty stations, and additional catering experiences to maximize revenue per event.

·        Guides clients in preparation of events by interpreting and explaining Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) and building policies

·        Keeps clients informed as to status of deadlines, including but not limited to menu selections, timelines, guarantees, and other related details

·        Prepares food and beverage cost estimates for Event Manager’s estimates invoices; accurately provides final costs and consumption for final invoicing post-event

·        Coordinates set-up timeline and logistics of food and beverage needs with Banquets, Event Services, Operations, and Production for assigned events

·        Provides clear, concise, and timely communication of detailed requirements to internal departments

·        Verify that areas with food and beverage requirements have been set accurately to client specifications

·        Serves as primary liaison between clients and internal departments as needed

·        Proactively identifies potential challenges and recommends solutions to ensure seamless food and beverage execution and exceptional guest experiences.

·        Maintains awareness of client preferences, historical spending, and event trends to provide personalized service and strengthen long-term relationships.

·        Coordinates with Culinary and Banquets leadership to ensure dietary restrictions, food allergies, and special meal requests are accurately documented and communicated.

·        Follows up on all client requests, concerns, and issues during the event to ensure resolution

·        Maintains event-related information, documents, and files for archival purposes and historical data

·        Attends internal staff and client meetings; develops and maintains a harmonious working relationship with all clients, external vendors, third party contractors, internal departments, and other stakeholders of events

·        Proactively identifies, develops, and secures off-site catering opportunities to generate additional food and beverage revenue and expand the Convention Center's presence within the community.

·        Develops relationships with local businesses, organizations, and event venues to promote off-site catering services and generate repeat business.

·        Assists with purchasing when necessary and contributes to the success of department goals

·        Maintains a professional image, generates positive public relations, and provides excellent customer service to clients, guests, and staff working in the facility

·        Serves as manager on duty as required

·        Provides support to Legends Global as needed

·        Works extended/irregular hours including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed

·        Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

·        None

Qualifications

• Knowledge of event management, planning, and logistics
• Knowledge of or ability to learn event safety, including life safety, fire code, first aid, and best practices
• Knowledge of or ability to learn software including event management programs, event diagramming software, and other event and venue-related computer applications
• Knowledge of or ability to learn industry terminology, event services, venue capabilities, and logistical requirements for the types of events anticipated at the facility
• Ability to handle multiple events, projects, tasks, and other deadlines simultaneously
• Ability to work independently, exercising good judgement, problem-solving, and initiative
• Possession of any licenses, certificates, or training related to event planning, venue management, or other related fields preferred

• Must maintain effective working relationships with clients, external vendors, employees, exhibitors, patrons, and others encountered in the course of employment
• Must follow oral and written instructions, communicate effectively with others in both oral and written form, and provide oral and written instruction to all staff, clients, and contractors
• Must organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines, work effectively under pressure and quick deadlines, produce accurate results, and remain flexible to adjust to changing circumstances as they occur
• Must meet Physical Demands of job
• Must be licensed and insured to operate a motor vehicle in the United States

Education & Experience

• High school or GED certificate graduate required
• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in event management, hospitality, sports management, tourism, arts administration, or related field preferred but not required
• 1+ years related experience and/or training or equivalent work experience
• Customer service experience required

Certificates, Licenses, & Registrations

• Trained Crowd Manager certification or ability to obtain certification within 90 days of hire date
• First Aid, CPR, AED certification or ability to obtain certification within 90 days of hire date
• Event, venue, or hospitality industry designations preferred but not required

Computer Skills

·        Operate a personal computer using Windows, Mac, Microsoft Office, and other standard office equipment

·        Knowledge of event management programs

·        Must have strong computer skills and ability to learn new software and hardware

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• This position requires climbing, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and stooping
• May sometimes be required to work from heights and/or outdoors
• Must be able to stand or sit for long periods of time

NOTE: The essential responsibilities of this position are described under the headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. Also, this document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.

Legends GLOBAL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and encourages Women, Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, and protected Veterans to apply. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.