Catering Manager

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY

Nestled on the shores of Lake Lanier, Lanier Islands Resort offers 282 rooms conveniently located throughout 1,200 acres of the resort.

The Catering Manager is responsible for coordinating and planning all aspects of weddings, social events, meetings, and conferences, including meeting and event space, audio visual needs, culinary and beverage requirements, recreational activities, and other event details. The ideal candidate will have  previous hotel experience and hands-on experience planning and coordinating weddings and social events .

This individual prepares Banquet Event Orders and Group Resumes and works closely with clients and resort departments to ensure the successful execution of each event. This role reports to the Director of Conference Services.

The Catering Manager will create memorable events while meeting clients' needs through active communication, detailed planning, and team leadership. The position also has responsibility for the management of assigned group room blocks, ensuring a seamless turnover from Sales to Event Services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan and coordinate weddings, social events, meetings, conferences, and other group functions from the planning stages through execution.
• Work directly with wedding couples, meeting planners, and event clients to understand their vision, expectations, and event requirements.
• Create an atmosphere in all event management operations areas that meets or exceeds guest expectations.
• Set a positive example for guest relations.
• Interact with guests and clients to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.
• Respond to and handle guest concerns and complaints professionally.
• Strive to continuously improve service performance.
• Attend and participate in all pertinent meetings.
• Understand the importance of meeting planner evaluation scores and implement effective methods to exceed meeting planner and event client satisfaction.
• Participate in the re-booking of repeat business by building and maintaining long-term client relationships.
• Conduct hotel site inspections and client presentations.
• Provide creative recommendations for event setups, menus, décor, and functions for weddings, social events, and group programs.
• Provide overall direction and coordination for the detailed execution of all Banquet Event Orders.
• Maintain excellent working knowledge of Delphi/Amadeus/Salesforce. OPERA knowledge is a plus.
• Monitor group room blocks and pickup for forecasting purposes and contribute to overall guest room sales efficiency.
• Generate detailed resumes for operating departments.
• Work with outside vendors to ensure client satisfaction and successful execution of weddings, events, and group programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 2–4 years of hotel event, catering, conference services, or meeting planning experience required.
• Previous experience planning and coordinating weddings and social events in a hotel or resort environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of catering, event planning, and hotel operations.
• Prior sales experience and the ability to build and maintain client relationships.
• Experience working with Delphi/Amadeus or a similar event management system.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each Essential Duty and Responsibility satisfactorily.
• Service-oriented demeanor with professional presentation skills.
• Must exhibit initiative, responsibility, flexibility, ethics, and leadership.
• Ability to maintain organization in a changing, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to multi-task and establish priorities while leading and directing multiple projects and overseeing day-to-day operations.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with people of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and professionally in English with team members, leadership, ownership, clients, and guests, both verbally and in writing.
• The following strengths are considered advantageous: high energy, entrepreneurial mindset, effective communication skills, service-driven attitude, creativity, and strong business acumen.