Director of Catering - Reikart House Hotel, Amherst, NY - Reikart House, Amherst, NY

Hotel Equities, a multi-award-winning hotel development and hospitality management company, is currently searching for a remarkable Director of Catering Sales for the Reikart House in Amherst, NY.

Job Purpose:

Supervises the daily operations of the catering and group planning area to achieve customer satisfaction, quality service and compliance with local and corporate standard operating procedures. Captures and plans catering functions, small meetings with ten or less guestrooms and insures proper execution. Meets revenue expectations. Warm, knowledgeable service and helpful guidance reassure guests they’ve made the right choice to stay with us.

• Supervise catering/coordinator/event planning managers and related associates; interview, hire, schedule, train, develop, empower, coach and counsel, resolve problems, provide open communications, recommend and conduct performance and salary reviews, recommend discipline and termination, as appropriate.
• Meet with the customers to review the Banquet Event Orders and, where appropriate, group resumes, to review any changes, issues and/or problems to ensure delivery of a quality product.
• Calculate and review the banquet checks ensuring accuracy and present the check to the customer for signature to ensure payment.
• Calculate and prepare the daily gratuities and payroll ensuring accurate, prompt reporting to the Controller's department.
• Key Account Management: Maximizes current hotel key accounts by identifying and capturing those that offer revenue growth.
• Plans and implements an on-going Targeted Account Development "hit list" in order to create new revenue and acquire valuable hotel contacts, and contracts.
• Continually targets and prospects for new business through telemarketing, individual creativity and innovation.
• Yield Management: Utilizes yield management techniques by profitably negotiating room rates and function space commitments in order to enhance the hotel's financial performance.
• Account Service and Management: Maintains well-documented, accurate, organized and up-to-date file management system in order to serve client and employer in the most expedient, organized and knowledgeable manner.
• Develops strong customer relationships through frequent communication and the use of professional, courteous and ethical interpersonal interaction.
• Capable of planning menus, working within budget guidelines, forecasting and understanding food and beverage costs.
• Develops customer profiles and maintains an effective trace system, including trace dates and references, in order to best meet client needs, resulting in superior account service and increased revenues.
• Promptly, within the same day or by 10am the next business day, follows-up on all customer needs and inquiries in an efficient and expedient manner.
• Time Management: Focuses on revenue-producing activity and maximizes selling time by dedicating a minimum of 80% of work time on direct sales efforts.
• Professionalism: Controls expenses while traveling on the property's behalf in order to minimize department and hotel costs.
• Represents themselves, the hotel and company with the highest level of integrity and professionalism, a service-focused approach, and a caring, sincere attitude at all times.
• Exhibits a positive and involved team attitude to all hotel departments and maintains open communications with all co-workers for the best overall performance of the hotel.
• Exhibits strong listening skills.
• Displays a neat, clean, and business-like appearance at all times.

Qualifications and Requirements:

High School diploma /Secondary qualification or equivalent.

Experience with Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Wyndham or Hyatt processes and standards.

This job requires the ability to perform the following:

• Requires a working knowledge of banquet/catering food and beverage service, policies or operations.
• Requires knowledge of computer equipment.
• Requires compiling facts and figures in accordance with established procedures.
• Supervisory skills needed.
• Communication skills required to provide information and associated service to hotel management and guests.
• Excellent hearing necessary for verbal interaction with guests and associates.
• Excellent vision necessary to view set-ups.
• Excellent speech communication skills required for verbal interaction with guests and associates.
• Excellent literacy necessary to read BEOs, process gratuities and payroll, etc
• Lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying tables, chairs, boxes (50 pound maximum) occasionally.
• Bending/kneeling required for taping down cords, skirting tables, picking up floor after function occasionally.
• Mobility - ability to service clients on a moments notice, variable distances.
• Continuous standing required for function observation, client site inspections (one (1) hour minimum for four (4) hours maximum).

Other:

• Being passionate about people and service.
• Strong communication skills are essential when interacting with guests and employees.
• Reading and writing abilities are used often when completing paperwork, logging issues/complaints/requests/ information updates, etc.
• Basic math skills are used frequently when handling cash or credit.
• Problem-solving, reasoning, motivating, and training abilities are often used.
• Have the ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends and/or holidays

Amazing Benefits At A Glance:

• Team Driven and Values Based Culture
• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Vacation & Holiday Pay
• Same-day pay available
• Employee Assistance Program
• Career Growth Opportunities/ Manager Training Program
• Reduced Room Rates throughout the portfolio
• Third Party Perks (Movie Tickets, Attractions, Other)
• 401(k)
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Life insurance
• Parental leave
• Referral program