Catering Manager | Ford Idaho Center

Oak View Group

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

More information at OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Overview

The Catering Manager will manage and oversee all aspects of event banquets/catering within Ford Idaho Center venues and Nampa Civic Center, including: initial introductions, on-site walk-throughs, assisting with proposal creation and negotiation, final invoice management and collection of payment. This position will also handle sales and customer service issues, including providing outstanding customer service; researching, resolving, and clarifying invoice and proposal questions; and providing knowledgeable and appropriate suggestions regarding catering and bar selections. A critical function of the Catering Manager will be to actively mentor, train and help employees and volunteers meet company quality standards. The Catering Manager will independently initiate and authorize all employment actions such as hiring, termination, suspension, discipline, promotion and transfer of catering staff members. The Catering Manager will actively and independently manage all aspects of employee relations to ensure a positive, harmonious, compliant and cooperative work environment. The Catering Manager maintains a consistently positive and professional relationship with internal and external clients. The Catering Manager will facilitate the flow of information internally, as well as communicate with all guests and vendors. Personally or by delegation, the Catering Manager must be available to direct all event executions from set-up, food and beverage presentation, serving, and cleanup (while focusing on detail, quality presentation and staff management). The Catering Manager must maintain excellent attendance and be available to work a variable event-driven schedule, including holidays/evenings/weekends as needed. Open availability, professional presentation, outstanding interpersonal skills, self-direction and strong technical (computer and POS) aptitude required.

This role will pay a salary of $55,000 to $70,000.

For FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 12 holidays)

job expires 6/30/2024

About the Venue

The Ford Idaho Center features a variety of flexible spaces to host events of all types and sizes. The Ford Idaho Center is a unique combination of three venues under one complex: Ford Idaho Center Arena, Ford Idaho Sports Center, and Ford Idaho Horse Park. The complex is flexible to meet the needs of events of all types and sizes. It is well-suited for conventions, meetings, tradeshows, sporting, social and entertainment events.

The Nampa Civic Center is a large conference & meeting center with the ability to host banquets, weddings, conferences, conventions, tradeshows, and other events. Second, a 640 seat theater is attached to the conference center that frequently hosts concerts, theatrical performances, and sporting events.

Responsibilities

• Positively represent the facility to potential clients; respond to inquiries regarding facility use, send out food and beverage materials, and provide in-person site tour of the venue.

• Actively recruits, onboards, trains/mentors and manages the performance of all catering staff; generates event staff schedules and manages to punctual employee attendance.

• Reviews documents for completeness and accuracy; assists in following up with facility users regarding deposits, insurance, and other related license agreement requirements in an efficient and timely manner.

• Coordinate all catering requirements and client requests in a timely and helpful manner, maintaining accurate records for all catering sales activities in conjunction.

• Ability to proactively interpret and understand the needs of the client and work in tandem with the operations team to ensure the delivery of the client vision.

• Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality, seamless customer service.

• Ensure that all financial reporting is completed and accurate in a timely manner to ensure prompt billing and organizational corporate reporting.

• Build relationships by networking and prospecting with key decision makers; develop strong and effective relationships with influencers through professional, courteous and ethical interpersonal interaction.

• Independently source, identify, and pursue outside networking opportunities through professional industry resources and community events, or special events attended by prospects.

• Responsible for negotiating, authoring, and submitting finalized contracts, BEOs and invoices to Client and Internal Staff.

• Address or coordinate all Catering requirements and requests in a timely and helpful manner. Coordinate and deliver effective sales presentations when necessary.

• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization: front line service staff to senior leadership.

• Communicate daily with Assistant General Manager, Catering Captains, Executive Chef and Event Management staff about the needs of our guests and their expectations.

• Represent the department at regular operational and/or sales meetings; coordinates with other departments to arrange for the delivery of client/company requests.

• Remains alert of complaints and or/unsatisfied guests and responds appropriately with an advance awareness of needs.

• Maintains constant communication with guests and on-site vendor contacts to ensure all expectations are met/exceeded; follows-up with clients/guests on their experience at the venue, ensuring that any issues have been resolved.

• Approaches all encounters with guests and colleagues in a friendly, service-oriented manner and consistently strives to nurture a harmonious work/event environment

• Maintains positive relationships and encourages recurring client retention; maintains extensive client database and accurate records of each event.

• Assists with oversight of accounts receivable in conjunction with assigned events.

• Work with the Chef and Warehouse Supervisor to ensure appropriate food and beverage inventories are stocked.

• Performs other duties as required by AGM or GM. This list of responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma (or equivalent)

• Associate's Degree in Hospitality Management or related field, or one year of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management highly preferred.

• 3-5 years related hospitality industry management experience and/or training, preferably in event venue catering/banquets.

• Sales experience preferred, (ideally in a hotel, convention center or similar event venue).

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to recruit, onboard, train, mentor and manage the performance of servers/captains.

• Ability to communicate clearly while adhering to high standards of business etiquette and professional verbal/written communication.

• Ability to consistently represent the company in a positive and knowledgeable manner, while adhering to the highest standard of confidentiality and discretion.

• Ability to work independently both on and off venue property with little supervision or oversight; ability to work a variable work schedule (often including evenings and weekends), depending upon event/business requirements.

• Ability to prioritize work and effectively resolve workload issues; ability to take on special projects when presented.

• Learn and understand all facets in the operation of a multi-venue complex and apply that knowledge to continual growth/improvement.

• Make basic arithmetic calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) either manually or by operating a calculator.

• Cash handling abilities; basic math skills including significant number manipulation.

• Demonstrated proficiency and successful experience in upselling catering service, contract negotiation and pricing, event scheduling, catering/banquet service excellence, cost control and menu development.

• Demonstrated proficiency in computer programs (e.g: Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.); Experience with ADP, Micros Oracle, CaterEase, VenuePro and/or EventBooking a plus.

Physical Dimensions:

Performing the duties of this position involves extensive and continuous standing/walking. Routine activities may require the employee to be able to reach with hands and arms, sit, walk, stoop, kneel and crouch. The vision requirements include the ability to adjust focus, peripheral vision and close vision.

Working Conditions & Hazards

• Exposed to weather and non-weather related cold temperatures

• Wet and slippery floors

• Pinch points and tight working spaces throughout building

• Exposed to high noise levels

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference.

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

EEO

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis ("protected class") including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.