Jamie Smoker

Job Overview:

Assist with the development and implementation of the total sales and marketing strategies of the catering department, including securing new accounts, maintaining existing accounts, and executing sales and marketing tactical plans to maximize the profitability of the hotel while maintaining guest satisfaction.

Prioritize providing luxury service to our guests to feel special, cosmopolitan and "In the Know" which means we need you to:

• Be charming by being approachable, having confidence and showing respect.
• Stay in the moment by understanding and anticipating guests’ needs, being attentive and taking ownership of getting things done.
• Make it memorable by being knowledgeable, sharing stories and showing your style to create moments that make people feel special.

Achievements & Awards in Role:

• Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association: 2023 Hospitality Leadership Award Catering Manager of the Year
• IHG Hotels & Resorts: Leader of the 1st Quarter 2023
• 2023 Q1 Sales Variance: 256% of Goal
• 2023 Total Sales: $1,133,764

Duties & Responsibilities:

Financial Returns

• Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approved departmental booking guidelines. Work closely with Executive Chef on menu design and concepts pricing for catering events.
• Achieve budgeted revenues and personal sales goals. Assist management in the preparation of the annual departmental operating budget, and financial plans which support the overall objectives of the hotel. Complete forecasts, plans, and sales production reports.

Our Team

• Direct the day-to-day activities of the catering team. Advise staff of formal policies and procedures.
• Recommend and/or initiate salary, disciplinary, or other staffing/human resources-related actions in accordance with Company rules and policies. Alert management of potentially serious issues.
• Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments. Key departmental contacts include Executive Chef, other sales staff, Banquet Department and/or convention services staff, and other hotel Executive Committee members.
• Interact with outside contacts: Guests – to ensure their total satisfaction, Vendors – to arrange services, Other contacts as needed (Professional organizations, community groups).

Guest Experience

• Assist clients with menu planning, food and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decoration options, etc. Arrange all details of conventions and or catering events to include room set-ups, staging, lighting, audiovisual, traffic flow, menus, décor, entertainment, group room blocks, VIP services, and approved method of payment.
• Review daily posting of charges, resolve any discrepancies in a timely manner. Follow-up to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Conduct banquet and catering facility tours and entertain clients in accordance with company and property policy.

Responsible Business

• Identify operational problems that impact the effectiveness of overall catering sales performance and work closely with appropriate Departments on solutions.
• Establish client base of organizations, associations and commercial business through direct outside sales efforts for the purpose of securing business for the hotel. Accurately produce and/or review all sales contracts, rate agreements, and/or banquet/catering event orders.
• Develop, train and motivate a catering team that is responsible for developing new accounts, maintaining existing accounts, and implementing catering strategies to achieve catering revenue goals and maximize profits for the hotel, while maintaining guest satisfaction. Develop and maintain relationships with key clients in support of food & beverage sales, and catering/banquet services.
• Plan and conduct pre-event and post-event meeting with clients, guests, and catering staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• May serve as manager on duty when required.

• Efficient in managing appointment scheduling, patient records, and office administrative tasks within busy orthodontic practice in both Armonk and Rye locations.
  • Quick and competent in processing patient check-in/check-out, as well as handling in-office patient needs and incoming/outgoing phone calls simultaneously.
  • Effective in handling medical billing and financial information, verifying insurance and third-party claims, and collecting all necessary payments.
  for treatment depending on each individual patient’s contract
  • Expertise include knowledge of medical terminology, billing and coding, physician support, financial transactions, medical office procedures, front-desk reception, time management and patient relations.
  • Improved the organization of patient records and instituted a new system for recognizing the payments and files needed from each patient on a daily appointment basis.

• Handled customer relations issues, enabling quick resolution, and client satisfaction.
• Resolved customer issues quickly to close deals and boost client satisfaction.
• Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing effective sales strategies.
• Built long-lasting client relationships through excellent customer service and consistent follow-ups.
• Found and cultivated new private dining and catering business to achieve growth; increased sales 70% YOY
• Duties include answering all guest related phone calls and e-mails in a timely and approachable manner, scheduling both onsite and off-site meetings with potential and regular clients, managing all reservations and events, and welcoming all guests upon arrival with warm and friendly greetings while maintaining a presentable and tidy area at all
  times
• Exceptional office organization skills, including sorting, tracking, and storage of legal documentation and event contracts, personal contact and payment information, and all restaurant staff and client records.
• Set monthly goals for key performance measurements to include revenue per unit, transactions and incremental sales.
• Schedule 100+ monthly visitor meetings and managed room set-up and time logs; identified and shaped new relationships with potential clients.
• Identified and communicated operational successes and failures; developed and implemented strategies to capitalize on opportunities in my area.
• Coached employees by creating a shared understanding of what needs to be achieved, and how to execute. Responsible for staff development within private dining and catering sector; conduct pre-event and post-event meetings to ensure success.
• Creatively design floor plans, table and room décor, all marketing materials, and personalized menus for each event; responsible for contacting outside event vendors for contracted specialized décor.

Greatest Accomplishments in Role:

• Responsible for the planning and execution of 2018 Sales
  Manager/General Manager conference of all Florida locations; arranged all travel and hotel accommodations for 80+ employees at the Waldorf Astoria Boca Raton Resort, created itinerary and scheduled conference events and team-building exercises/meetings over three day period.
• Catered largest company off-site event at Gloria Estefan’s home on Star Island for Jennifer Lopez’s 50th Birthday Party; responsible for all planning and execution of event, schedule, contracts, floor design, menu, and employee travel/hotel accommodations.

• Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
• Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
• Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
• Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.
• Provided fast, friendly, and professional service to all bar patrons and beverage servers.
• Extensive knowledge in craft cocktails and menu items.
• Recognized by the General Manager and the Owner for being a reliable employee, and for assisting other staff members and guests as needed.
• Consistently maintained a high degree of care and quality for customer service, with focus on building professional relationships with clientele to increase and sustain regular business. Maintained and strived for a positive and meaningful working relationship with fellow staff and management.

• Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
• Delivered creative and interactive activities to an average of 15 students between 2-5 years of age.
• Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication regarding student progress, collaborating on strategies for academic success at home and school.
• Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
• Maintained patience and level-headedness in diverse situations to support student development and personal growth.
• Created daily scheduled lesson plans according to the New York State and Goddard educational standards.