Catering Sales Manager - Yakima Convention Center

Catering Sales Manager - Yakima Convention Center

Location: Yakima Convention Center located in Yakima, WA.

With a new 18,000 square foot addition, the Yakima Convention & Event Center is now 89,000 square feet in size, making it the fourth largest convention and event center in Washington state. The Yakima Convention & Event Center is conveniently located. Driving distance is less than 200 miles from Seattle, Portland, and Spokane so we're accessible for attendees from all corners of the Northwest. In addition to location, our outstanding facilities, community hospitality and the exceptional team make Yakima the ideal location for events.

Job Overview:

The Catering Sales Manager is the primary lead for assigned conference, meeting, and event clients driving seamless execution from contract turnover through final billing. You will liaise between clients, internal departments, service partners and vendors, and ensure that the venue delivers world-class service in line with Sodexo Live!'s standards.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Serve as the main contact for assigned groups to lead pre-planning site visits, pre-conference meetings, and post-event debriefs.
• Prepare and distribute banquet event orders, floorplans and diagrams.
• Coordinate across departments and with external contractors/vendors to ensure event requirements are met and executed smoothly.
• Maintain a visible onsite presence during event move-in, show days and move-out.
• Manage financial aspects of billing, change orders, and reconciliation with Finance.
• Train, mentor and coordinate with event coordinators.
• Act as the venue liaison during major events and peak periods.

Qualifications / Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in business, hospitality management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience in large volume and banquet events of 3,000 plus attendees.
• 3+ years of experience in catering or event sales.
• Strong knowledge of food, beverage, and catering service operations.
• Excellent communication and client service skills.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple events simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM systems.

Other Requirements:

• Able to work effectively and safely while subject to wet floors, temperature extremes and excessive noise; must be able to lift up to 50 pounds in weight; must be able to maneuver in an often tightly-quartered environment.
• Hours may be extended or irregular to include nights, weekends and holidays.

Why Join Sodexo Live!?

At Sodexo Live!, we're proud to be experience makers, creating unforgettable moments for people across a wide range of industries and events. We bring that same commitment to our team members by offering a comprehensive benefits package that begins on day one, additional benefits include:

• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Coverage
• Identity Theft Protection
• Adoption Assistance

Sodexo Live! is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.