Mary Rita Bender
Washington,DC
Summary
Motivated event professional with over 11 years of proven experience managing all levels of large-scale events including client focused sales strategies, budgeting, and execution. Devoted leader with focus on timely communication and excellent customer service skills. Dedicated team builder excelling in employee training and retention.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Division Manger of Premium Services
Aramark - Capital One Arena
07.2022 - Current
- Oversee all premium operations at Capital One Arena including Suites, Catering and VIP Clubs
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Senior VPs of Suites, Ownership, and VIP Ticketing to ensure premium level expectations are consistently upheld and exceeded throughout the season
- Manage Director of Catering, Director of Suites, and Director of Premium Sales to ensure their respective teams are operating efficiently
- Lead the successful opening of Signature Club and Lounge by José Andrés through developing a strong partnership with the José Andrés Group and management training team
- Consistently drive creativity through all premium areas with innovative food and beverage set ups, and out of the box event displays
- Provide leadership for the culinary teams, and help develop unique suites and catering menus
- Responsible for 113 Suites, 6 VIP Clubs, and Locker Room/Dressing Room set ups for all concerts, NHL and NBA games.
- Manage a Union Staff of 300 hourly employees and 18 hourly supervisors
Director of Catering
Aramark - Capital One Arena
06.2019 - 07.2022
- Oversee operations for all NBA and NHL premium spaces including 4 VIP clubs, Coaches lounge, Locker room, Owners lounge, In-Seat service teams.
- Works directly with concert tour managers to organize VIP parties and execute artist riders as needed.
- Manages catering operations team including 2 managers, 8 supervisors, and over 200 hourly union employees.
- Manages catering sales manager and ensures that monthly sales goals are met. Catering sales for FY2019 were 9 million.
- Responsible for all end of month counts and monthly inventory
- Meets bi-monthly with Monumental Sports Sales Team to review club operations and menus to ensure clients were happy with menu options and presentation
- Leads bi-weekly BEO meetings with Executive Chef,culinary and sales team to review orders and confirm all members were aware of their responsibilities
- Completes weekly safety audits to ensure employee safety briefs were distributed and upheld.
- Maintains high standards of food quality by reviewing orders, overseeing preparation and monitoring food safety.
- Sets and enforces performance and service standards to keep consistent, high-quality environment devoted to customer satisfaction.
- Designs catering packages to increase sales and customer experience.
- Meets with clients to outline desired goals and prepared quotes for overall catering costs.
- Recognized as Manager of the Month for June 2019, and January 2022
Director of Catering
Aramark - American University
11.2017 - 06.2020
- Provide direct management to Catering Operations Manager, Executive Catering Chef and Catering Sales Coordinator.
- Developed and maintained strong client relationships with VIP offices for University wide events
- Created catering revenue forecasts for Controller and drove sales to meet the financial targets outlined
- Managed and reported weekly labor targets for the department.
- Increased catering sales by 380k in last fiscal year
- Maintained 28% food cost
- Audit all catering service areas monthly to ensure adherence to company standards; assuring quality, consistency, professionalism, and adherence to local, state, and federal regulations regarding health, safety and sanitation.
- Develop operational component forecasts and is able to explain variances.
- Ensure compliance with company policies such as safety, wage and hour, sanitation, and purchasing.
- Responsible for recruiting, training, and succession planning of all talent in department
Catering Manager
Aramark - Washington College Of Law, American University
08.2015 - 11.2017
- Responsible for scheduling and managing staff at daily events
- Managed Catering Operations Supervisor
- Met with current clients to create, plan and execute annual events
- Connected with interested outside organizations to actively sell services and drive revenue
- Created invoices for events and send to accounts payable for payment.
- Placed orders with vendors on a regular basis.
- Coordinated with event planners for floor and table layouts, guest numbers and overall catering needs.
- Worked with chefs to plan menus according to client needs and budgets.
- Hired and trained both permanent and temporary staff members.
- Met with clients to outline desired goals and to prepared quotes for overall catering costs.
- Upsold catering packages with most profitable outcomes for Avenues Catering at Washington College of Law without sacrificing client desires.
Catering Operations Supervisor
Aramark - American University
06.2014 - 08.2015
- Responsible for overseeing event operations and event staff
- Track weekly sales to manage department's reverse checkbook
- Prepare alcohol, linen, and general grocery orders for department
- Trained new employees in SOP for Catering Department including customer service trainings
- Supervised 8 hourly employees, ensured that day to day operational tasks were completed by end of shift
- Supervised the catering staff at all functions, instructing employees to restock items quickly and to promote exemplary service to guests.
- Manage concessions stand for American University Bender Arena.
- Maintained an atmosphere of enthusiastic customer service.
- Kept facility compliant with health codes, sanitation requirements and license regulations.
- Upheld standards of cleanliness, food handling and safety.
- Inventoried concession items and performed price/cost analysis'.
- Completed all point of sale opening and closing procedures, including counting the contents of the cash register.
Catering Sales Coordinator
Aramark - American University
06.2013 - 06.2014
- Assist clients with creating menus and booking catering events
- Responsible for tracking actual and projected sales
- Communicate with outside vendors to provide linen, floral and other event accents.
- Networked with previous clients, local businesses and event management companies to increase client base.
- Processed credit cards, checks, gift cards and coupons.
- Explained menu options in detail so that customers could make educated decisions on food items.
- Communicated with customers to determine event goals and deliver quotes and proposals.
- Liaised with vendor staff to coordinate event logistics.
- Managed customer files to ensure accurate fulfillment of event needs.
- Engaged in suggestive selling and other sales techniques.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Media Studies, Politics
The Catholic University Of America
05.2013
Skills
- Strong verbal communication
- Client assessment, analysis and networking
- Presentation skills
- Interpersonal and written communication
- Conflict resolution
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Process implementation
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Skilled in MS Office Suite, Catertrax, Catermate, Suite Wizard, and EMS Software
- Self-motivated
- Project management
- Team Liaison
- Inventory management
Timeline
Division Manger of Premium Services
Aramark - Capital One Arena
07.2022 - Current
Director of Catering
Aramark - Capital One Arena
06.2019 - 07.2022
Director of Catering
Aramark - American University
11.2017 - 06.2020
Catering Manager
Aramark - Washington College Of Law, American University
08.2015 - 11.2017
Catering Operations Supervisor
Aramark - American University
06.2014 - 08.2015
Catering Sales Coordinator
Aramark - American University
06.2013 - 06.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Media Studies, Politics
The Catholic University Of America
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