Director of Business Development

Location: 2700 Greens Road, Houston, Texas, 77032 (adjacent to George Bush Intercontinental Airport)

Abby’s Catering has been providing one-of-a-kind culinary and hospitality experience since opening in 1980. Our customers are high profile passengers visiting or residing in Houston. Celebrities, government officials, head of states, secretaries, industry leaders, all traveling out of Houston aboard private, corporate, and commercial aircrafts are part of Abby’s valued circle of customers. Abby’s also provides exclusive gourmet delights for corporate offices, private and corporate events as well as food service management contracts such as schools and Class A office buildings in Houston and Dallas..

Position:

We are looking for an ambitious, energetic, Business Development & Sales Leader to expand our corporate catering and social events clientele, launching new projects and penetrate new markets, actively building this new division for our company. This position will be at the forefront of the company and will have the responsibility to explore new markets and generate long term recurring revenues from new clients and industries, besides creating the internal structure “building the foundational tools” to digest the new revenue streams. This includes internal resources and look ahead planning. The main objectives are to drive continuous financial growth through boosting sales from existing clientele and forging strong relationships with new potential clients. Abby’s food creations are a ‘passport’ to a culinary journey of cultural and diverse preferences. Innovation, trend setting menus, highest customer satisfaction is the signature of Abby’s Catering. Our culinary teams will make sure our customers enjoy an unforgettable dining experience.

Reports to: COO

To him/her report: Sales Representatives

Requirements, but not limited to: This position requires a high level of attention to detail, excellent customer service and desire to be the best and seek continuous improvement and growth, internally and externally. This position needs an entrepreneurial spirit, the talent of motivating others, managing change and building structure to successfully execute all new business requests.

Essential functions: • Build a new business division for the company in conjunction with the Kitchen Manager and the Operations team • Organizing and overseeing the overall preparations and arrangements of food, equipment, transportation and execution of large events • Preparation and planning events including menus, equipment and staffing • Hire, train and supervise catering staff, including scheduling, ensuring proper event staffing • Contract and supervise 3rd party vendors for events, e.g. staffing agencies, equipment rentals etc. • Following all food safety and work safety standards always • Preparing catering proposals for customers for large events • Develop a growth strategy focused on both, financial gain and customer satisfaction • Define the essential differentials compared to the competition and promote respective niche markets • Create sales budgets and marketing plans • Conduct continuous research to identify new markets and customer needs • Maintain a cycle of business development activities including the identification and cultivation of potential clients, market research, preparing marketing strategies and plans, presentations and attendance at conferences, seminars etc.

Company Core Values:

You must be willing to embrace our Company’s Core Values in the way you dedicate yourself to work:

CATCH

• Customer Service
• Accountability
• Teamwork
• Competitiveness
• Honesty

Our Mission:

"To continue to be the leading in-flight and corporate catering company serving the Houston & Dallas Metro market by using locally sourced and sustainable raw ingredients, providing the most memorable and personalized attention to detail all while maintaining a fiscally sound budget and complying with the highest food safety standards."

Qualifications:

• Proven working experience as a top tier business development manager, leading sales executive, or a relevant role within the culinary industry with outstanding results
• Hospitality and/or Gourmet Food Industry experience
• Proven sales track record
• Banqueting Experience from either a hotel or large volume restaurant is definitely a plus
• Proven records of developing new markets and product lines
• Experience in customer service, support and loyalty programs
• Proficient in MS Office and CRM softwares
• Ability to build internal structure in conjunction with the Kitchen Manager to absorb new business intake
• Local catering market knowledge
• Proficient experience within the event industry, including planning and execution
• Ability to build a strong rapport with all, direct reports and culinary / operations team and upper management
• Time / project management and excellent planning and implementation skills