Catering Specialist (Full-Time)

Red Deer Resort & Casino seeks an enthusiastic individual with a passion for the hospitality industry and customer service to join our team as a Catering Specialist. This position acts as a resource for customers booking events as well as various locations throughout the resort to ensure their vision and expectations are met, while also providing accurate and up-to-date information to the internal stakeholders and leadership team to assist in ensuring efficient operations. 

Under the direction of the Senior Sales and Catering Manager, the Catering Specialist is responsible, including but not limited to, ensuring guest satisfaction throughout the booking and sales process for events and meeting rooms. This role plays a key part in driving catering and event revenue by actively promoting services, negotiating contracts, and building strong client relationships. Attention to detail is essential in the planning and coordination of meals, guestroom blocks, and all other areas required to ensure meetings and events occur smoothly.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with meeting planners to ensure event set-up meets or exceeds expectations, including meeting rooms, food & beverage, guestroom blocks, and audiovisual requirements.
  Actively sell and promote catering services, meeting spaces, and guestroom packages to maximize revenue.
  • Coordinate with the banquet team to ensure seamless event execution through pre-event and on-site follow-up.
  • Maintain accurate control of all event details and bookings within the designated software system.
  • Negotiate pricing, packages, and contracts in alignment with established sales guidelines.
  • Prepare, present, and follow up on sales proposals, contracts, and client quotations.
  • Identify and execute upselling and cross-selling opportunities for food & beverage, audiovisual, and event enhancements.
  • Prepare and distribute banquet event orders (BEOs) to all relevant departments.
  • Ensure all client activities and files are accurately recorded in the DELPHI booking system.
  • Manage internal event bookings and related documentation.
  • Handle incoming catering and event inquiries and convert leads into confirmed bookings.
  • Conduct post-event reviews to assess client satisfaction and identify future business opportunities.
  • Solicit repeat business and re-bookings to support ongoing revenue growth.
  • Participate in sales initiatives, site tours, trade shows, and client appreciation events as required.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing clients.
  • Maintain thorough knowledge of hotel facilities and services to effectively promote offerings.
  • Lead pre-event meetings to ensure client confidence and alignment.
  • Contribute to departmental revenue targets while exceeding guest expectations.
  • Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Education, Qualification and Requirements

• Two or more years of experience in hospitality, catering, events, or sales preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; additional languages are an asset.
• Strong sales aptitude with the ability to negotiate, influence, and close business.
• Exceptional organizational, multitasking, and time-management skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to build credibility and long-term relationships.
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear Criminal Record Check upon hiring.

Work Environment

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
  • Ability to work on a computer for extended periods.
  • Repetitive tasks such as keyboarding, filing, and answering phones.
  • Forward bending and squatting while performing filing duties.
  • Ability to walk throughout the hotel to liaise with various departments.
  • May be required to lift boxes up to 10 pounds.
  • Role often involves managing multiple priorities and can be stressful during peak business periods.

Hours of Work

• The hours of work for this position are typically Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours or hours outside of these timelines may be required due to operational requirements. Any additional hours or overtime must be approved by the Senior Sales and Catering Manager prior to being worked.

The Red Deer Resort & Casino is an equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals interested in this position to submit a resume. Individuals residing in Red Deer, Alberta, are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. The successful candidate will be subject to criminal record checks and/or other background checks. This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. We appreciate and consider all applications; however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.