Catering Director (Sales Director Experience Needed)

The Catering Director is responsible for building and increasing Catering Sales in multiple channels in Corporate & Event Catering. The Catering Director will work with existing catering relationships and local promotional events, intelligence and status of all local client engagement. The Catering Director will develop Corporate and Event Catering program and sales as well as long-term business relationships and consistent engagement with all clients by consistently visiting, calling, communicating, informing and providing the highest level of service while ensuring that all products and services are precisely crafted and accurate to the expectations of their clients. The Catering Director will prioritize the account manager duties of guest interaction and relationships in addition to their other duties. Client reporting of all activities, visits, actions and results to share with our Sales & Marketing team is also a core responsibility in this role.

Responsibilities and Associated Duties:

The Catering Director position is responsible for developing, building, growing, and managing existing catering sales clients and new business, as well as building local relationships, consistent local visitation, offerings, sharing the latest menus, services, offerings and promotional events within their area. This position recruits' clients, plans and assigns sales and service work, implements service policies and procedures, documents all interactions and engagements - and recommends improvements in promotional practices, methods, promotional equipment, local engagement operating procedures, and working with local clients to build the market.

• Service initiatives to build Corporate and Event Catering; to include sales calls, client relations visits, setting up tastings, chef demo's, kitchen-to-client communications, kitchen visits and site visits.

• The Catering Director will identify and develop relationship with Clients as well as interactions to identify other local full-service catering partners to add full-service event catering as an additional stream of revenue.

• Manage local client relationships, intelligence, brand awareness, client facing meetings, promotions, menu tasting, communication and act as the liaison between clients and culinary center and team.

• Book Catering and Events within the booking parameters, ensuring that the sales progress is seamless and accurate by following established processes and procedures.

• Up-sell products and services, closing best opportunities for the operation based on market conditions and operational needs.

• Confirm final billing accuracy prior to and then process the final bill.

• Provide accurate, complete, and effective turnover to Event Coordination and the Food and Beverage team.

• Track, manage and document client visit attendance and record keeping of all client visits and progress, evaluating each client and order in the catering business to ensure orders can be properly serviced.

• Instill and maintain a service-oriented attitude in all activities, interactions and maintain a calm and organized approach in all situations.

• Take orders over the phone in a proactive, positive, friendly, courteous manner and accurately enter them into D365. Manage last minute changes to orders by the clients with a smile and pleasant demeanor. Obtain various supplies as directed if making deliveries or upon return to base.

• Lead and direct all Customer Events as required, performing menu presentations, tastings, and client visits, documenting all efforts and visits in Sales Force for future reference.

• Selling, servicing, and communicating with Customers and accurate, timely follow-through with attention to details.

• Safely operate company vehicles and drive in compliance with all local and federal laws and regulations.

• Perform computer related services such as order entry, pricing validation and adjustments, open mail, email documents as needed or directed, and prepare and apply labels.

• Approach and handle all customer issues with a mentality of maintaining long-term relationships with each client.

• Meets weekly with the General Manager to ensure our standards and procedures are accurately reflected in their day- to-day operations.

• Carry company provided telephones at all times and answers client calls when on duty and out of the office as needed - and communicates with your local operation and the company call center as required or needed.

Benefits Package:

• Air Culinaire Worldwide employees have the flexibility to design the benefit selections best suited for their needs.

• Full Time employees are eligible for healthcare and supplemental benefits on the first of the month, following 30 days of employment.

• 401 (K) Retirement Plan with a discretionary 100% employer match of the first 6% of participant contributions. Plan entry is the first day of the month following 30 days of employment.

• Three (3) medical plans to choose from, with an excellent employer contribution.

• Available Dental and Vision insurance

• Company paid basic life insurance, with the option to elect additional voluntary term life.

• Company paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.

• Available supplemental benefits, including critical illness, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance and pet insurance.

• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account available (for eligible plans)

• Generous Paid Time Off Program for full time employees

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• See our benefits here Benefits Guide 2024

• Watch Me To Learn About How Exciting it is to Work for Air Culinaire Worldwide

Measures of Success:

Sales & Service Goals- success will be measured using the "Local Sales Plan" issued by Sales & Marketing which are established annually, just prior to the new Fiscal Year starting which include:

• Recruit new Catering Revenue Streams and Aviation Catering Clients - New Sales & Service Opportunities.

• Specific Job Responsibility Performance through communication, collaboration and attendance of all required meetings, training sessions and succession planning initiatives.

• Stellar Guest-Customer Service & Achieving Monthly Reports & Operational Success in Minimum Standard Performance ratings.

• Integrity & Accountability in Service, Communication, Client Relations, Interactions & Revenue Generation Performance Metrics.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Teamwork Commitment

Knowledge, Experience and Skill Requirements:

• Strong phone or face-to-face customer communication and service experience in the aviation, food services, or hospitality industry is essential, culinary experience preferred.

• Individual must possess excellent verbal and written communications skills, as well as be proficient in email, internet use, client facing presentation materials and basic office software programs.

• Must have demonstrated the ability to recruit new business, cold-call market business opportunities, manage and maintain customer accounts, client visit documentation, as well as attention to detail and experience as an order manager.

• Supervisory and sales leadership experience required to build and maintain local market revenue.

• Ability to manage, coach, communicate and develop service details for delivery team to elevate quality, service, and guest experience.

• College degree preferred. Prior knowledge of aviation terminology, FDA Regulations, and food handling preferred.

• Managerial business skills, including revenue-building, sales projections, sales performance reviews, client retention and client promotions and local market development.

• College degree or equivalent combination of sales, service training and food service experience required with a minimum of 3 years sales experience and 3 years of food and Beverage in hotel or event catering.

• Must have clear driving records.

Disclaimer:

This position description highlights a general description of duties and responsibilities. Employee(s) may be assigned other duties, in addition to or in lieu of those described herein, and any duties are subject to change at any time, according to the needs of the location or Company.

Air Culinaire Worldwide, LLC. does not discriminate in any way to deprive any person of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect the status of any employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, or military or uniformed services, in accordance with all applicable governmental laws and regulations.