Culinary Administrative Assistant

Primary Responsibilities

Culinary Virtual Assistant will contribute to generating new catering business leads and servicing existing contracts. It is the primary responsibility of Catering Sales & Event Manager to generate revenue by generating leads and converting them to sales with a heavy concentration in the wedding, corporate, personal chef services, local and social markets. This position will be responsible for contracting and closing wedding, corporate, personal chef services local and social catering business. Catering Sales & Event Manager develops and manages catering sales revenue. 

Catering Sales & Event Representative is responsible for assembly and completion of assigned event’s file and organization of event details. Pay Rate: all Catering & Sales Reps are paid on 5% commission on total contract price and will receive a monthly stipend of $600.00 a month + $50.00 gas card to use throughout the month. ($150.00 weekly). Your payout will be provided once the client makes a deposit on their account.

Essential Job Functions (* denotes auxiliary responsibilities that are voluntary, not primary job function)

• Work is performed in an office and venue environment that is very fast paced. (see “Appendix A – Suggested Work Schedule”) 
• Produces and manages sales based on leads via incoming phone calls, email inquiries, or internal referrals with the purpose of converting the lead to a sale. 
• Identify, qualify and solicit new catering business to achieve revenue goals. Produce sales based on previous clients renewing annual events.
• Understands all details pertaining to the wedding, corporate, personal chef service, local, social market and small group market.
• Establishes relationships with other venues that would allow us to be include on any venders list they may have.
• Schedule Consultations and meet with clients (see “Appendix A – Work Schedules (Sales Reps))
• Schedule on calendar wedding anniversaries and follow up (*auxiliary job role)
• Develop and manage catering sales revenue and provide forecasting reports. (*auxiliary job role)
• Assist with selling, implementing catering promotions.
• Maximizes revenue by conducting meetings creating and developing new food and beverage packages. (*auxiliary job role)
• Document leads on leads list that has been created.
• Requires the ability to multi-task and complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner. 
• Majority of weekend nights required. 
• Communicates directly with Chef, clients, wedding planners, and meeting planners gathering necessary information for menu planning, floor plan, room set up, timelines, rental orders, decor, cost and billing details and any other requirements pertinent to their event in a timely manner and assist with those items as necessary.
• Greets client and assists Chef in conducting tastings and consultations 

Qualities Required

• Minimum two years luxury / upscale catering sales experience is required, preferably in the hotel/resort/wedding market. 
• The ideal candidate will possess extraordinary networking and client relation skills and good knowledge of the local catering market, including the wedding market, corporate, and social market. The candidate must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Creativity and passion are essential. 
• The ideal candidate must be extremely organized, personable and enthusiastic. 
• MUST HAVE hospitality & food/beverage manager experience. A minimum of 2 years Upper Management in Catering Sales Management and Event Management background required.

Requirements

• Enjoys asking for business and closing sales; Exceptional detail in follow-up.

• Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to prioritize and organize work assignments; delegate work when appropriate.
• Must be extremely detail oriented and organized.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Ability to motivate assigned staff and maintain a cohesive team.
• Ability to be a clear thinker, analyze and resolve problems, exercising good judgment.
• Ability to work cooperatively and professionally with other internal leaders with willingness to submit and respect company authority.
• Must possess mature, professional demeanor to interact with vendors, staff and guests.
• Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Word and Excel.
• Proficient with Social Media/Networks and Mailchimp
• Create Advertising Campaigns and send to potential clients as email blasts (*auxiliary job role)

Optional Roles
Social Media, blog writing and posting to our Wishful Concepts Facebook Page (*auxiliary job role)