Catering - Assistant Manager of Catering Sales - IC

Assistant Manager, Catering Sales

For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused.

We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a seamless guest journey.

Our focus is on people, innovation, and operational intelligence as a means to create special moments with lasting impact. We call it 452 Hospitality, the foundation of how we serve our partners and their communities.

The Assistant Manager, Catering Sales is responsible for driving catering sales and revenue growth by promoting and selling catering services. This role requires proficient knowledge of catering sales strategies, building strong client relationships, and ensuring the successful execution of events. This position requires a dynamic individual with communication, negotiation, and organizational skills, dedicated to delivering exceptional client experiences.

Job Requirements:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills across all levels of an organization.
• Proficient leadership skills with an understanding of the importance of team building/development, while fostering partnerships.
• Exceptional problem solving/decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
• Demonstrates financial management, analytical, and planning skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Computer knowledge and skill level for basic office functions.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (35lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

Previous Experience:

• Minimum 2 years catering sales, operations and/or event planning management in off-site catering, hotel or cultural attraction catering venue preferred.
• Working knowledge of Tripleseat is a plus.
• All education backgrounds eligible, must be 18 or older.

Key Responsibilities:

Catering Sales Strategies:

• Negotiate catering contracts and secure signed agreements to align with company policies.
• Accompany venue sales team on site tours and conduct menu tastings to showcase event capabilities.
• Develop and implement strategies to sell, and upsell, catering services to new and returning clients.
• Plan and upsell functions with clients, including space requirements, times, equipment, menus, themes, and decorations.
• Respond to client requests promptly and ensure client satisfaction.
• Develop seasonal promotions or packages to increase sales.

Client Relationship Management:

• Prepare and manage catering contracts, Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), diagrams, and other necessary documents.
• Maintain strong, positive relationships with internal and external clients to encourage repeat business.
• Proactively and transparently communicate with clients throughout the sales and detailing process.
• Drive strong partnership with venue sales and operational departments
• Conduct post-event follow-ups to engage clients and foster continued development.
• Work closely with clients to understand their needs and provide tailored solutions.

Vendor and Resource Management:

• Maintain communication with vendors, including pricing knowledge and negotiation.
• Uphold an active list of resources for client and internal operational use.

Event Coordination:

• Walk event spaces before events to ensure everything is in working order and address any issues promptly.
• Manage last-minute changes and adjustments with a solution-focused approach.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with the Partner Sales Team, Catering Operations, Culinary Team, and other departments involved in events, developing and implementing new strategies and procedures where necessary to ensure events are executed flawlessly.

Operational Excellence:

• Ensure all client contracts, BEOs (Banquet Event Orders), and event details are accurately documented.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
• Maintain accurate records of event details and outcomes.
• Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.
• Attendance at event start to ensure seamless execution of client's vision and smooth transfer of authority to the operations team when appropriate.

Financial Management:

• Collect and process payments, including deposits, in accordance with company policies and contractual payment schedules.
• Develop, meet, and exceed monthly and annual catering sales budgets and plans.
• Analyze sales and inventory to maximize opportunities.
• Review all invoices, bills, and accounting-related documents for accuracy and communicate necessary changes to Accounts Receivable.
• Thorough understanding of menu and event offering cost structure to meet profitability guidelines

Reporting and Analysis:

• Report weekly and monthly sales through Tripleseat to appropriate stakeholders.
• Analyze sales trends and client feedback to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Use data to adjust sales strategies and increase conversion rate.

Social Responsibility:

• Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the unit.
• Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application.
• Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus on opportunities of giving back.
• Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.

Other Responsibilities:

• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. SSA Group reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks are performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments)

Don't meet every requirement? At SSA we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Full-Time, non-exempt, eligible for overtime pay.
• Paid Time Off plan: up to 144 hours based on tenure.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and other voluntary benefits for you and your family; employee premiums applicable.
• Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).
• SSA Paid Benefit: Up to 120 hours of Paid Leave for qualifying reasons, including Parental Leave and your or your family's serious medical conditions.
• Up to 40 hours Paid Bereavement.
• On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts where applicable
• Tuition Discount through Partnership College
• Holiday pay of 1.5× the regular rate is provided for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day .
• Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

Locations include: Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C.. Colorado : Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year, under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). Maryland : Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year, as required under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act