Senior Catering Manager

Company: Fairfield Inn and Suites
Location: Chicago
Posted on: May 24, 2025

Job Description:

Hospitality / Hotel/Resort / Catering/Events Summary Deliver brilliant guest service each day, each night and every time in-between by championing our 6 Xs Hotter Service Philosophy. Creates a welcoming, playful and thoughtful service environment. Services guests in a professional and courteous manner at all banquet functions. Sets up and tears down banquet equipment, glassware, linen, tables and chairs for banquet functions and meetings. Assists guests with all needs for meetings and conferences. Attends banquet functions during specified break times to ensure proper maintenance/cleanliness of banquet rooms during events. Daily cleaning of banquet event space and banquet equipment. Duties and Responsibilities JOB SUMMARY:Deliver brilliant guest service each day, each and every time by championing our 6 Xs Hotter Service Philosophy. Creates a welcoming, playful and thoughtful service environment. Sell and service clients to meet and exceed budgeted revenue goals as dictated by hotel's budget and keep department head informed of all operations pertaining to the catering department.SKILLS:We are looking for those who celebrate culture, humor, wit, thoughtful and attentive service and team orientation. This position requires strong leadership skills by those who are not afraid to be imaginative or inspired. You'll need an ability to create a motivating work environment driving our Whatever It Takes attitude. Have a strong passion for excellence and guest service. Strive to continuously evolve and improve your performance in order to provide a Four Diamond level of service for all guests each and every day. Hotel and catering sales experience required.RESPONSIBILITES:

• Exceed individual revenue goals by selling and servicing catering events within the SMERF/Wedding market segments.
• Negotiate contracts, generate BEOs, and compose client communication with a focus on clarity and punctuality.
• Capture accurate sales data for entry into our sales systems.
• Partner with Finance for precise and timely billing for each event; provide accurate forecasting, and follow all sales processes completely each time.
• Analyze market trends, study the hotel's competitive set, and build deep knowledge of the local social catering environment.
• Perform outside sales calls and prospecting calls to generate new business; conduct site inspections and creatively sell all aspects of the Wit Hotel.
• Regularly attend networking functions related to relevant market segments. Be a visible player in the local community with charities and nonprofits, as well as industry organizations.
• Actively participate in on-site entertaining both organized by the catering manager and Sales department as a whole. Partner with other Sales team members to cross sell between segments and markets.
• Work closely with the banquet team, culinary team, stewarding team and all other operating departments to plan and execute profitable events.
• Assist in developing and maintaining the brand identity for the Wit Weddings. Collaborate with the Director of Sales and Marketing and other partners to guide marketing strategy and tactics for the wedding market; assist in creation of the Wedding Marketing plan and budget.
• Monitor, promote and participate in Event SALT guest satisfaction program to ensure positive results.
• Participate in daily sales stand up meeting and weekly sales & staff meetings.ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:1. 3+ years in social catering and/or hotel catering role.2. Has established connections in the Chicago market.3. Experience with OnQ, Delphi, Social Tables, Microsoft Office Suite.4. Must be a strong multi-tasker, and willing to communicate in the primary language of the hotel.5. Must wear proper uniform/dress at all time and be well groomed.6. Must maintain flexible schedule to accommodate hotel business and networking functions. About the Company A uniquely different hospitality company, SMASHotels relentlessly pursues the finest talent, trends, and ambiances to create extraordinary experiences. A deep passion for exceptional customer service creates engagement and loyalty. Innovative programming and perpetual development keep us fresh and relevant.SMASHotels embraces emergent technology to drive cost control, flawless operations, marketing, customer relationship management, entertainment and online and in person engagement.Our track record has shown that by raising the bar through a focused commitment both financially and experientially, we achieve success, and our return on investment is substantially higher than industry standards.
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Keywords: Fairfield Inn and Suites, Carol Stream , Senior Catering Manager, Accounting, Auditing , Chicago, Illinois