What Is a Catering Sales Manager?

Catering sales managers oversee teams that prepare food for special events. They work for hotels, conference centers, resorts, restaurants and other hospitality businesses. In addition to supervising the catering staff of these facilities, catering sales managers work with customers to plan events. They provide tours of the facility, review possible menus and help with the planning and execution of events. To perform their work, catering sales managers rely on skills and experience, often having post-secondary education in the field.

Features

Catering sales managers' duties may include hiring, scheduling, coaching, evaluating and disciplining cooks and other kitchen workers as well as banquet servers. Managers may order food and supply for the catering department, ensuring that the facility operates within established budgetary guidelines. Often, sales managers have revenue goals to reach in terms of the total dollar amount made from events held at their facilities. Reaching these goals may involve networking or organizing marketing campaigns to draw in business during slow periods. Catering managers often work long hours with evening, weekend and holidays hours commonplace, since events are typically held during these times.

Requirements

Job requirements for catering sales managers vary among employers. Some hospitality facilities will hire applicants with only a high school diploma or GED, provided they have previous supervisory and catering experience as well as proven sales abilities. Others prefer applicants with post-secondary education, such as a two-year associate or four-year bachelor's degree in hospitality or restaurant management. To be successful, catering sales managers must have strong verbal and written communications skills. The ability to read and interpret written documents like event contracts is also necessary. While performing their work, catering sales managers may rely on human resources, inventory database, project management, word processing and spreadsheet computer software programs.

Certification

Catering sales managers have the option to pursue voluntary certification in the field. Having such credentials can increase employment opportunities and pay rates for managers. The National Association of Catering Executives offers the Certified Professional Catering Executive certification for catering managers. Another type of hospitality and catering certification, the Certified Meeting Professional is available from the Convention Industry Council. Both certification programs require catering managers to pass a written examination.

Compensation

As of December 2010, catering sales managers earned average salaries of $32,667 to $46,800, according to Payscale. For achieving sales or other performance goals, managers received annual bonuses that averaged $1,226 to $7,159. Catering sales managers may also earn commission on their sales and reported receiving an average of $4,475 to $14,947 in such payments annually. Other benefits typically enjoyed by catering sales managers include paid vacation days, 401k retirement plans, company cell phones and life and disability insurance policies.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Food Services Managers
• Fresh City: Catering Sales Manager
• National Association of Catering Executives: Professional Certification
• Occupational Information Network Summary Report for: 13-1121.00 - Meeting and Convention Planners
• Payscale: Salary Snapshot for Catering Sales Manager Jobs
• Payscale: Catering Sales Manager Most Popular Benefits

Resources

• Convention Industry Council: Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Program