Red Deer Resort & Casino seeks an enthusiastic individual with a passion for the hospitality industry and customer service to join our Catering team as a Catering Specialist. This position acts as a resource for customers booking events as well as various locations throughout the resort to ensure their vision and expectations are met, while also providing accurate and up-to-date information to the internal stakeholders and leadership team to assist in ensuring efficient operations.
Summary
Under the direction of the Senior Sales and Catering Manager, the Catering Specialist is responsible, including but not limited to, ensuring guest satisfaction during the booking process of our events and meeting rooms. Attention to detail is a must in this position with the planning and coordinating of meals, guestroom blocks and all other areas required to ensure meetings and events occur smoothly.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure that function set-up meets and/or exceeds customer expectations by working closely with each group’s meeting planners to determine their needs for meeting rooms, food & beverage, and audio-visual equipment requirements
In coordination with the banquet department, ensure functions meet the customer’s expectations by following up before and during the function
Maintain control of functions, including complete details of bookings in the software program provided
Responsible for the day-to-day negotiation of prices with clients for catering functions and meeting rooms, as well as guest rooms and all aspects pertaining to each client file
Prepare contracts for incoming catering clients and prepare proposals for potential clients
Prepare and distribute banquet event orders weekly to all outlets and departments
Maintain filing regimen by keeping filing cabinets and files current
Ensure all client-related activities are entered into DELPHI booking system
Book and prepare banquet event orders for all internal events
Handle all incoming catering inquiries
Conduct post-function reviews with clients
Solicits re-booking from meeting planners prior to customer’s departure
Take the initiative to exceed guest’s expectations
Participate in sales missions and activities; participate in customer appreciation functions
Acquire full knowledge of the hotel, in-house facilities, and local information to respond to guest inquiries
Host pre-event meetings, as required, to ensure clients are comfortable with their decisions
Performs other duties and special projects as assigned
Education, Qualification and Requirements
University or college diploma or degree in Business Administration or Hotel Management preferred
Two or more years experience in the hospitality industry preferred
It is imperative for this position to have excellent verbal and written communication skills in the English language. Other languages are an asset.
Strong multi-tasking abilities; exceptional communication and organizational skills
Detail orientated with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Understands customers and builds organizational creditability
Displays a positive attitude, maintains enthusiasm and celebrates successes with the team
Meets deadlines that are decisive and achievement orientated
Strong customer service, organization, presentation, decision-making, and problem-solving skills;
Strong time management and multitasking skills, being able to manage different projects at one time and work within stringent time frames;
Clear Criminal Record Check upon hiring
Work Environment
Ability to sit for extended periods of time;
Ability to work on a computer for an extended period.
Repetitive work such as keyboarding, filing, answering phones, etc.
Forward bending and squatting while performing filing duties.
Ability to walk around the hotel from department to department.
May be required to lift boxes up to 10 (ten) pounds when handling paper or files.
It often involves juggling many tasks and may become very stressful when business operations ramp up
Hours of Work
The hours of work for this position are typically Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours or hours outside of these timelines may be required due to operational requirements. Any additional hours or overtime must be approved by the Catering Manager prior to being worked.
Anticipated Start Date - ASAP
The Red Deer Resort & Casino is an equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals interested in this position to submit a resume. All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. The successful candidate will be subject to criminal record checks and/or other background checks. This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. We appreciate and consider all applications; however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
