Sales Associate

At IL-VENJU our vision is to establish ourselves as leaders in the events industry, creating community through passion, innovation, and renowned culinary experiences. We achieve this by offering unparalleled culinary experiences and gracious service, ensuring a legacy of memorable hospitality that resonates for generations.

Our team is committed to redefining the boundaries of hospitality and dedicated to exceeding expectations. Our services include personalised menus, attention to detail, unique venue, creative event experiences and skilled event specialists and staff. We provide special celebrations including, nut not limited to birthday parties, retirement parties, corporate events, engagement receptions, product launches, charity and fund-raising events, team building events and wine/whisky/gin tasting dinners.

Job brief:

We are seeking an experienced and results-oriented Sales Associate to join our team. In this role, you will be instrumental in generating revenue through the date of catering services for events and special occasions.

The ideal candidate will have a solid sales background, exceptional communication skills, and a comprehensive understanding of the catering industry.

Job duties:

• Maintain and exceed budgeted booking goals and revenue in all special event areas (food, beverage, other)
• Thrive in a high-volume, fast paced environment
• Consistently book return business by maintaining long-term client relationships
• Actively participate in industry-related organisations
• Utilize a variety of sales techniques, including strong closing and negotiation skills.
• Participate in trade shows and blitzes.
• Actively participate in community / civil activities to maintain awareness and create booking opportunities.
• Possess excellent creative skills to provide innovative set-ups, menus, and functions for groups.
• Work closely with the Catering Manager on operations and event execution, quickly evaluating alternatives and deciding on a plan of action.
• Provide complete and detailed event orders to ensure the operations team’s success
• Attain assigned sales and revenue goals as well as solicitation call goals.
• Proactively conduct solicitation calls and sales tours.
• Monitor and evaluate trend within this market segment
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner
• Adhere to the company established regulations and standards, catering / meeting standards and related catering sales metrics
• Prospect and actively solicit all types of new catering business through various methods including cold calling, attending industry and community networking events, referrals, office visits, etc.
• Provide excellent customer service and expertise to clients, supporting them from initial inquiry though menu and event development during the proposal and negotiation stage, ensuring customer satisfaction and retention.
• Process correspondence (internally and externally), proposals, contracts, and orders accurately and in a timely manner.
• Conduct in-house tastings for social, special and corporate events prior to event booking.
• Conduct off-site tastings / demos for potential new corporate clients.
• Conduct tours with potential clients prior to event booking.
• Handle and resolve customer complaints with the support of higher management.

Requirements and Skills:

• Proven experience in catering sales or a related sales role.
• Strong sales and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication in both Maltese and English, and interpersonal abilities
• Knowledge of catering industry trends, prices and customer preferences.
• Results-driven with a track record of meeting and exceeding sales targets.
• Familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) software.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed
• Creativity and problem-solving skills to tailor offerings to client need

Qualifications:

• At least a level 5 Diploma.
• A bachelor’s degree in hospitality or a related field would be an asset.