Director of Catering

Property Description

Wine and Roses, operated by Appellation, is Lodi’s premier Hotel, Restaurant, and Spa.

Company Description

Appellation is a culinary-focused hotel company that embraces authenticity and locality in everything they do. They believe in the power of regional character, community, and culture to create exceptional experiences for their guests. Appellation gathers the best from each of their destinations to nurture the growth of the next generation of hoteliers and culinarians. Every element of an Appellation experience is true to place, thoughtfully composed, and crafted with the highest regard to quality.

Reports To: Director of Commerce at Wine and Roses

Job Description:

The Director of Catering (DOC) coordinates and executes weddings, meetings, and events at Wine & Roses maximizing sales opportunities and profitability. This position requires the Director of Catering to work closely with our customers, guests, vendors, the Banquet Chef, and all company departments to ensure a successful event and a positive guest experience. The Director of Catering oversees catering sales, services, and programs, including collaborating on menu planning and development with the Banquet Chef. This individual should be aligned with our mission/vision and core values as the innovative leader in hospitality and culinary excellence by providing high levels of product and service.

The Director of Catering must demonstrate excellent leadership, communication (verbal and written) and team building skills with team members, peers and across all departments. Review and respond to all written forms of communication i.e., emails, texts. Our emphasis is based on caring and attentive team members who embrace the Company’s Mission/Vision Statement and Core Values.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provides prompt and professional response to all inquiries regarding hotel facilities and catering capabilities. Leverages expert knowledge of hotel amenities to convert inquiries into business bookings utilizing the right hotel spaces at the right time with the right food and beverage offerings.
• Understands and responds to all guest needs and requests in a timely manner to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Strives to attain pre-set monthly revenue goals for Catering, as determined by the Director of Commerce.
• Plans, coordinates, and ensures proper execution of all aspects of Catering events, including menu selection; room set up and service; flowers and decorations; entertainment; and all other special requests.
• Creates banquet event orders, detailing each event’s purpose, menu, décor, billing instructions, and all special instructions to operational departments of the hotel.
• Produces all Catering correspondence to potential customers, customers, and internal team members.
• Provides prompt and professional responses, over the telephone or through correspondence, to all inquiries regarding hotel facilities and catering capabilities.
• Blocks appropriate banquet space to best utilize hotel facilities.
• Personally conducts informational tours of the facility with all prospective customers.
• Meets and greets customers prior to scheduled functions and introduces them to key hotel team members.
• Actively pursues prospective customers for future and possible repeat business, both over the telephone and during social and professional events, and trade shows.
• Uses good time management skills in prioritizing work and scheduling appointments.
• Communicates last-minute changes in group functions to hotel team members and ensures satisfactory follow-up.
• Creates a daily events calendar that includes the above information for each group’s food and beverage events.
• Plans and directs pre-convention meetings, as requested by customer.
• Acts as a liaison between hotel and groups, ensuring meeting space is appropriately set up, and handling any special customer requests.
• Extends a courteous, friendly, and professional greeting to guests as they arrive, and a thank you as they depart.
• Follows all policies and procedures of Appellation.
• Complies with company and departmental safety rules and regulations, including the proper handling of all relevant equipment.
• Attends all mandatory meetings as directed.
• Performs other tasks, including cross-training, as directed.

Required Business Skills:

• Sales oriented and self-motivated to achieve budgeted revenue goals
• Dedication to customer service
• Excellent written & verbal communication Skills
• Highly organized, energetic, resourceful, and creative problem solver
• Flexible & adaptable, ability to work in fast-paced environment and multi-task
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Supervisory skills
• Exceptional attention to detail 
• Solution-Driven team player

Essential Functions:

To perform the duties and requirement for this job, you must have the following physical abilities:

• Must be able to stand up to 8 hours per day. Length of time of these tasks may vary.
• Must be able to exert well-paced ability to reach other departments on a timely basis.
• Sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Enter data into a computer terminal, operate standard office equipment, and use telephone.
• See and read a computer screen and printed matter with or without vision aids.
• Speak, hear, and understand speech at normal levels with or without aid.  Ability to comprehend, carry out and explain verbal and written instructions.
• Be able to handle stress and have the mental capacity to do so under stressful times and situations.
• Lift up to 25lbs.

·      Frequent: walking, standing, use of hands, arms and legs for periods up to 4-6 hours at a time, bending and twisting of neck, reaching below, above and at shoulder level.

·      Occasional: pushing, pulling, and grasping, climbing stairs and stooping.