Catering Sales and Event Manager

As a Catering Sales and Event Manager at Sentinel Hospitality, your responsibilities include event planning, coordinating catering services, managing budgets, and ensuring overall client satisfaction. You will also develop marketing strategies, handle contract negotiations, and build and maintain relationships with clients to drive sales and repeat business.

To pursue a role as a Catering Sales and Event Manager at Sentinel Hospitality, candidates typically need a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management or a related field, along with strong interpersonal and organizational skills. Experience in event planning, sales, and customer service is also crucial for success in this position.

Sentinel Hospitality values the development of its employees, offering ongoing training and robust professional development opportunities for Catering Sales and Event Managers. This includes workshops, mentorship programs, and access to industry conferences to enhance skills and knowledge.

The company culture at Sentinel Hospitality is focused on diversity, employee wellbeing, and support, which fosters a positive work environment for Catering Sales and Event Managers. The emphasis on teamwork and collaboration enhances creativity and effectiveness in executing successful events.

Working as a Catering Sales and Event Manager at Sentinel Hospitality comes with numerous benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and discounts on hotel stays, all designed to ensure employee satisfaction and wellbeing.

When answering this question, highlight your specific contributions, including your planning process, how you overcame challenges, and the positive feedback received from clients to demonstrate your capability.

Showcase your time management skills by discussing tools you use, such as calendars or project management software, and explain your approach to setting priorities based on deadlines and client needs.

Discuss your focus on listening to clients' needs, maintaining regular communication, and following up post-event to ensure satisfaction, which fosters long-term relationships and repeat business.

Share your problem-solving approach, emphasizing your ability to remain calm under pressure, communicate effectively with team members, and find swift solutions to ensure the event's success.

Discuss your familiarity with managing budgets, including how you forecast costs, track expenses, and make adjustments as necessary to stay within budget while achieving high-quality results.

Illustrate your commitment to professional development by mentioning specific sources, such as industry blogs or networking events, that you use to stay informed about the latest trends and best practices.

Provide a specific example showcasing your resilience and resourcefulness, highlighting the steps you took to identify the problem, implement a solution, and what you learned from the experience.

Detail your preparation strategies, such as clear communication with your team about roles, conducting rehearsals, and being prepared with contingency plans to ensure smooth service.

Mention your considerations for market research, competitor analysis, and the inclusion of quality ingredients and services to competitively price your catering options while ensuring profitability.

Emphasize your focus on client preferences, dietary considerations, seasonal ingredients, and how you collaborate with the kitchen team to develop a menu that aligns with the event's theme and budget.