Catering Manager (Full-Time)
Who we are: The original Bludsos BBQ in Compton was opened by Kevin Bludso in 2008. Kevin Bludso comes from a long line of Texas pitmasters and learned how to BBQ from his grandmother at her roadside stand in Corsicana, TX. Bludsos Compton was an instant success and quickly became known as the best BBQ in LA. Bludsos Bar & Que is a full-service, sit-down restaurant with TVs and a full bar. We smoke all of our meat on-site to ensure that we serve that same authentic Texas BBQ offering lunch, dinner, and catering – 7 days a week.
Who you are: Great BBQ is implicit of many things, and our Catering Sales Coordinator will be able to embody and impart those associations directly to our customers and translate leads to our Catering team. Large family gatherings, major celebrations, cheering on your team, and even office luncheons. You know how to throw a successful party. All the scene’s efforts go unnoticed because of how good you are. Your customer service skills, ability to plan, presentation skills, are second to none. Also, really liking Texas-style BBQ is a plus.
This position requires Front of House shift supervisory experience. FOH managers must be excellent multi-taskers who can transition seamlessly from one station to the next. We are often very busy, and we rely on our shift supervisors to orchestrate all aspects of service.
Essential Functions:
Planning menus alongside the chefs
Assist in coordinating FOH shifts and meeting with prospective clients
Maintaining inventory
Meeting with the catering team and customers
Handling customer contracts for large events
Planning and executing catering marketing efforts.
Increases catering sales to meet budgeted sales plan set by General Manager
Forecasts future catering opportunities to reach
Develops and produces hot leads provided by
Ensuring health and safety regulations are met and recorded.
Improve local store catering sales for their assigned market and build brand loyalty to Bludsos through different mediums, following the sales process and utilizing assigned sales
Targets all-new, core, active, at risk, lost, and historical contacts provided from the CRM database.
Explores all major events and activities throughout the market to identify sales opportunities.
Keeps GM abreast of progress through daily activity logs, phone calls, attending weekly conference calls, and scheduling events in the team
Maintains ongoing contact with catering customers to build sales through thank you letters and follow-up calls seeking sales feedback on orders and
Effectively demonstrates required sales techniques to build sales and provide ongoing support to the customer and gain repeat
Ensures customer complaints are resolved by investigating problems, developing solutions, and makes recommendations to General Manager
Takes sample boxes from Bludsos restaurant to execute tastings with potential clients/businesses as needed to include site visits and transportation of
Takes direction and works
Completes special projects as
Qualifications:
3-5 years of relevant catering sales experience in a restaurant or hospitality environment
Must have FOH management and event management experience
Proficient knowledge using a PC and MC Office Suite, including intermediate proficiency in Word, Excel, and Google
Excellent Knowledge of food, wine, and spirits
Prior experience with cold calling and outside sales in the hospitality
Strong, communication, presentation, and organizational skills
Ability to build a steady client base and interact with the community – you love talking to people and take pride in making people happy
Must have strong knowledge of the Los Angeles market and the ability to plan and execute months in advance. A strong clientele list is a plus
Booking, selecting and costing menu items, pricing contracts, and leading a team of temporary help along with catering equipment experience is key
Key Competencies
Key Competencies include strong work ethic, negotiating and closing, attention to detail, relationship builder, multi-tasker, problem analysis and solving, excellent communicator, confidentiality, and integrity. Adhering to our Core Values includes being guest-centric, teamwork, respectful, proactive, accountable, learning, and sustainable.
EEO Statement
J Howard II LLC is an equal opportunity employer without discrimination because of age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or presence of a disability. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, Bludsos will make reasonable accommodation of working conditions or methods in order to perform the duties of the position. I have read, understand, and am able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without accommodations.