MANJUNTH KOWTAL
Hospitality Professional
Bengaluru
Summary
With over 21 years of experience in operations excellence, sales, and marketing, actively seeking a position to leverage a successful track record. Eager to contribute to an organization valuing professional growth, resourcefulness, innovation, and flexibility. Dynamic individual with hands-on experience in the Hospitality Industry, developed a talent for navigating challenges. Strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach enable excelling in new tasks. Known for adaptability, creativity, and results-oriented mindset, committed to making meaningful contributions and advancing organizational goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
6
6
Languages
Work History
Head of Sales
The LaLiT Ashok Bangalore
11.2023 - Current
- Streamlined sales processes, resulting in enhanced efficiency and increased productivity.
- Developed strong client relationships for improved customer satisfaction and repeat business.
- Optimized pricing strategies by monitoring competitor activities, analyzing market trends, and considering internal cost structures for profitability maximization.
- Implemented effective CRM tools to track leads, maintain accurate customer data, and optimize the sales process.
- Managed key accounts effectively, ensuring ongoing satisfaction while identifying upsell opportunities to drive additional revenue growth.
- Mentored junior sales staff, fostering professional growth and contributing to overall team success.
- Negotiated contracts with major clients, securing long-term partnerships that generated significant revenue streams.
- Delivered engaging presentations at industry events, showcasing company offerings and attracting prospective clients.
- Conducted regular territory analyses to ensure optimal resource allocation and maximum coverage of target markets.
- Maintained relationships with customers and found new ones by identifying needs and offering appropriate services.
- Coordinated with other departments to provide smooth execution of sales initiatives.
- Monitored daily sales performance and provided feedback to each team member.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and improve customer service.
- Negotiated more favorable rates and delivery times with vendors.
- Developed and enforced policies and procedures for compliance with company policies.
- Provided leadership, guidance and direction to sales team members, offering assistance with any need at any time.
General Manager - Corporate Sales
Hammerhead Experiences
09.2023 - 10.2024
- Sourcing new clients and RFP for events
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Analyzed market trends/data to identify potential opportunities for business growth within existing or emerging markets successfully.
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
- Cultivated strategic partnerships with industry leaders, enhancing brand credibility and access to new customer segments.
- Identified and qualified customer needs and negotiated and closed profitable projects with high success rate.
- Ideating for clients Market Plans
- Creating and Ideating clients yearly Marketing calendar
- Assisting and working with Marketing Managers for distribution of Budget spent, creating IP's
- Giving plans for ATL and BTL Radio
- News Paper, Hoarding and social media
- Introduce New Market trends and using diverse In-house sales strategies
- Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations, and contract details.
- Managed budget development, forecasting, and financial reporting processes to track progress towards organizational objectives accurately.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
- Developed and executed strategic plans for business growth and expansion, resulting in increased market share.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Oversaw successful launch of new product lines, coordinating between departments to ensure unified approach and timely delivery.
General Manager
Ramada by Wyndham Bengaluru Yelahanka
02.2021 - 07.2021
- Primary strategic business leader of the property with responsibility for all aspects of the operation, including guest and employee satisfaction, human resources, financial performance, sales and revenue generation
- Delivering a return on investment to property ownership
- Verify implementation of service strategy and initiatives with the objective of meeting or exceeding guest expectations, increased profit and market share
- Holding property leadership team accountable for strategy execution and guide their individual professional development
- Sales engines are leveraged and initiates independent and proactive sales activities, when appropriate, to generate demand
- Verify that the objectives and goals of property owners work to achieve brand positioning and success
General Manager
Sarovar Portico
01.2020 - 10.2020
- Responsible for creating guest delight, memories and experiences in an environment where the entire team share this common vision
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- The resultant revenue levels, business reputation and high profitability is an automatic consequence
- Specialties: Process analysis for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness, a passion for detail and maximizing the achievement of potential of colleagues through a mentoring approach
- Comprehensive knowledge and experience in Hotel Operations
- Managing the Guest Experience
- Business Strategy Development & Execution
- Work with Revenue Management team to develop effective pricing strategies, balancing seasonality, economy, customer segments, property objectives and customer satisfaction
- Introduce New Market trends and using diverse In-house sales strategies
- Passionate brand advocate and verifies that the brand attributes and intent shine through in the guest experience
- Botlee Bar Pre-opening and execution
- Provide owners with in-depth analysis of property performance, incorporating Guest, financial and forecast business data
Head of Sales
The Lalit Ashok
07.2018 - 01.2020
- Generate and maintain major accounts and assigned segments through various Sales activities (face to face sales calls, telephone calls, sight inspections)
- Ensure thoroughly and Complete coverage of sales team for a Comprehensive client servicing, Achieving targets and Maximum productivity
- Set up all Sales objectives, Action plans and Team's targets
- Ensure that selling strategies are adhered to during negotiations and maximizes upselling opportunities of sales team
- Review direct competition and always ensure complete awareness by all sales team of competitor's activities
- Consolidate month end sales report applicable information
- Developed strong client relationships for improved customer satisfaction and repeat business.
Associate Head of Sales
The Lalit Ashok
04.2016 - 06.2018
- To manage the catering sales efforts for the hotel including local and Group/convention business
- Solicit/books local catering business and develop group business
- Develop and manage catering sales revenue and operation budgets and Provide forecast Reports
- To create & implement catering sales/marketing plan addressing Revenues, customers & Market
- Managed key accounts effectively, ensuring ongoing satisfaction while identifying upsell opportunities to drive additional revenue growth.
- Mentored junior sales staff, fostering professional growth and contributing to overall team success.
- Delivered engaging presentations at industry events, showcasing company offerings and attracting prospective clients.
Catering Sales Manager
The Lalit Ashok
01.2015 - 04.2016
- Assist with selling, implementation and follow-through of catering Promotions
- Execute and supports the operational aspects of business booked (e.g., generating Proposal)
- Strategies and selling solutions
- Develop a close working relationship with operations to execute strategies at the hotel level
- Implement the brand's service strategy and applicable brand initiatives in Sales
- Performed service and menu upgrades and upselling activities to meet predetermined revenue objectives.
- Exceeded both quarterly and annual sales goals.
Catering Sales Manager
Ibis & Novotel Bengaluru Techpark
03.2014 - 04.2016
- To plan, coordinate and implement all aspects of Events to ensure successful events
- Collaborated with clients to confirm event details such as setup logistics, decorations and food and beverage selections to fulfill client requests.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by addressing and resolving concerns in a timely manner.
- Collaborated with culinary team to develop innovative menus tailored to specific client needs and preferences.
- Co-ordinate all operations of the Events to ensure excellent Customer service and to provide outstanding technical expertise
- Ensure that all Events are well managed and meet client's expectations
- Motivate and develop staff to ensure smooth functioning of the department and promote teamwork
- Event Planning and People Management
Banquets Sales and Events Manager
Chancery Pavilion
12.2010 - 03.2014
- Responsible for revenues exceeding
- Solicit and respond to leads by telephone, email, or direct conversations with Clients
- New account development and existing client service
- Detailed sales and planning of catered events such as In-house conventions, Charity functions, corporate meetings and Conferences, Weddings, Reunions, etc
- Delivered exceptional customer service to attendees, addressing concerns promptly and professionally.
- Increased client satisfaction by delivering tailored events that met their unique objectives and preferences.
- Led cross-functional teams in the execution of successful events, fostering collaboration and communication among all stakeholders.
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking, and event promotions.
- Hired and cross-trained staff members for various event-specific functions and assessed employees' understanding of associated processes and procedures.
Food and Beverage Manager
Le Royale
07.2008 - 09.2010
- Company Overview: Website: www.leroyale.com
- Ensure that each food and beverage outlet and banquet is managed successfully as independent
- Ensure that all the outlets and banquet is managed efficiently according to the established concept
- Establish a rapport with guests maintaining good customer relationship
- Conduct bi-weekly Food and Beverage Meetings
- Developed staff training programs to enhance service skills and increase overall efficiency.
- Oversaw the hiring process for new employees, selecting top talent to join our team.
- Developed ongoing training initiative to improve beverage knowledge of serving employees.
- Managed bar and wait staff and directed hiring program.
- Implemented creative solutions for space optimization during peak hours or busy seasons.
- Improved customer satisfaction by implementing innovative food and beverage menu options.
Assistant Food and Beverage Manager
SwaSwara CGH Earth Hotel
09.2006 - 07.2008
- Oversee the entire operations in a hotel dining area
- Meetings with clients to determine the best arrangements for a meeting, conference or banquet
- Duties for planning a function include deciding on the best seating, food quantity and drink menus
- Organize an effective schedule and staffing details, to help the daily routine run smoothly
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by efficiently managing food and beverage operations and providing exceptional service.
- Coordinated special events, working closely with clients to ensure their needs were met while maintaining budgetary constraints.
- Ensured adherence to health, safety, and sanitation regulations by regularly inspecting facilities and equipment.
- Optimized restaurant layout by monitoring traffic flow patterns during high-volume periods, making adjustments as needed.
- Maintained open lines of communication with kitchen staff to ensure timely execution of orders during peak service periods.
Assistant Food and Beverage Manager
Ramee Guestline Hotel
06.2005 - 08.2006
- Responsible for Banquet(s), Restaurant(s), Room Service, and Lounge(s), while coordinating the operations of the kitchen and banquets and to supervise and control all catering outlets in a hotel to the required standards, within agreed budgetary limits and parameters of the law, particularly liquor law
- Achieve profitability, cost and revenue targets
- Coordinated special events, working closely with clients to ensure their needs were met while maintaining budgetary constraints.
- Achieve brand quality service standard
- Ensured adherence to health, safety, and sanitation regulations by regularly inspecting facilities and equipment.
- Optimized restaurant layout by monitoring traffic flow patterns during high-volume periods, making adjustments as needed.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors to negotiate favorable pricing and delivery schedules for products.
- Assisted in the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of new team members, ensuring a seamless integration into the existing workforce.
- Partnered with marketing teams to create promotional materials that highlighted new menu items or limited-time offers designed to attract guests'' attention.
- Implemented cost control measures to effectively manage expenses without compromising quality or customer satisfaction levels.
- Reduced waste and controlled inventory levels by implementing effective purchasing strategies and proper storage procedures.
- Managed employee scheduling, ensuring adequate coverage during peak hours while minimizing labor costs where possible.
Education
Pre-University Course - Science stream
V. B. Darbar Pre university College
Bijapur, Karnataka 04.1998 - 05.2000
S.S.L.C - undefined
S.S.High School
Bijapur, Karnataka 04.1997 - 05.1998
Bachelor of Hotel Management -
R. N. Shetty College of Hotel Management And Catering Technology
Hubli, Karnataka 04.2000 - 05.2004
Skills
Sales operations
Solution selling
Key account growth
Sales expertise
Staff management
New business development
Sales process
Revenue forecasting
Client relationship management
Strategic planning
Relationship building
Territory sales management
National accounts management
POS - Opera, IDS, WINHMS, PMS
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 02/11/82
- Marital Status: Married
Timeline
Head of Sales
The LaLiT Ashok Bangalore
11.2023 - Current
General Manager - Corporate Sales
Hammerhead Experiences
09.2023 - 10.2024
General Manager
Ramada by Wyndham Bengaluru Yelahanka
02.2021 - 07.2021
General Manager
Sarovar Portico
01.2020 - 10.2020
Head of Sales
The Lalit Ashok
07.2018 - 01.2020
Associate Head of Sales
The Lalit Ashok
04.2016 - 06.2018
Catering Sales Manager
The Lalit Ashok
01.2015 - 04.2016
Catering Sales Manager
Ibis & Novotel Bengaluru Techpark
03.2014 - 04.2016
Banquets Sales and Events Manager
Chancery Pavilion
12.2010 - 03.2014
Food and Beverage Manager
Le Royale
07.2008 - 09.2010
Assistant Food and Beverage Manager
SwaSwara CGH Earth Hotel
09.2006 - 07.2008
Assistant Food and Beverage Manager
Ramee Guestline Hotel
06.2005 - 08.2006
Bachelor of Hotel Management -
R. N. Shetty College of Hotel Management And Catering Technology
04.2000 - 05.2004
Pre-University Course - Science stream
V. B. Darbar Pre university College
04.1998 - 05.2000
S.S.L.C - undefined
S.S.High School
04.1997 - 05.1998