Senior Manager - Food & Beverage (Pan India)

JLL supports the Whole You, personally and professionally.

Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology to our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people in our industry; and we support them through professional growth, flexibility, and personalized benefits to manage life in and outside of work. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades, and technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, we empower you to shape a brighter way forward so you can thrive professionally and personally.

Position OverviewThe Pan India Food & Beverage Lead is responsible for managing all cafeteria, canteen, and food service operations across multiple manufacturing facilities in India. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality, hygienic, cost-effective, and compliant food services to factory employees across all shifts while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, nutrition, and employee satisfaction.

Key ResponsibilitiesMulti-Site F&B Operations Management

Oversee food and beverage operations across multiple manufacturing facilities pan-India

Develop and implement standardized operating procedures for all factory canteens and cafeterias

Ensure consistent food quality, menu standards, and service levels across all locations

Manage operations for multiple daily shifts including early morning, day, night, and rotating shifts

Coordinate special meal services for overtime periods, production peaks, and festive occasions

Implement efficient food service models (buffet, cafeteria-style, packed meals) based on facility requirements

Manage tea/coffee stations, vending machines, and refreshment points across factory floors

Vendor and Contract Management

Select, onboard, and manage food service vendors and catering contractors across locations

Negotiate pan-India contracts ensuring competitive pricing and service quality

Establish service level agreements (SLAs) with clear quality, hygiene, and performance metrics

Monitor vendor performance through regular audits, feedback, and KPI tracking

Manage vendor invoicing, payments, and contract renewals

Develop backup vendor arrangements to ensure business continuity

Coordinate with procurement for centralized contracts and volume discounts

Food Safety, Hygiene, and Compliance

Ensure 100% compliance with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations

Implement and maintain FSSAI licensing across all factory food service locations

Enforce strict food safety protocols including storage, preparation, and service standards

Conduct regular hygiene audits and health inspections of kitchen facilities

Ensure staff medical fitness certificates, food handler training, and hygiene certification

Maintain pest control, sanitation, and waste management standards

Implement HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) principles in food operations

Ensure compliance with Factory Act provisions related to canteen facilities

Coordinate with local health authorities and regulatory inspections

Menu Planning and Nutrition Management

Design nutritious, balanced menus catering to diverse dietary preferences and regional tastes

Ensure variety in daily and weekly menu rotations to prevent monotony

Accommodate special dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, religious, medical)

Balance nutrition with cost-effectiveness and employee preferences

Plan seasonal menus incorporating fresh, local ingredients

Manage portion control to reduce waste while ensuring adequate nutrition

Coordinate special menus for festivals, celebrations, and company events

Budget and Cost Management

Develop and manage pan-India F&B budgets across all manufacturing facilities

Track meal costs per person, subsidies, and operational expenses

Implement cost optimization strategies without compromising quality

Negotiate bulk purchasing agreements for commodities and supplies

Monitor food wastage and implement reduction strategies

Prepare financial reports including budget vs. actual analysis and variance reporting

Manage subsidy structures and employee meal contribution policies

Infrastructure and Facility Management

Oversee kitchen equipment maintenance, repairs, and replacement across locations

Ensure adequate dining space, seating capacity, and amenities for factory workforce

Manage kitchen infrastructure including cooking equipment, refrigeration, and storage

Implement water purification systems and ensure safe drinking water availability

Coordinate facility upgrades, renovations, and capacity expansions

Ensure proper ventilation, lighting, and temperature control in dining areas

Quality Assurance and Audits

Establish quality control systems for food procurement, preparation, and service

Conduct regular quality audits and mystery customer surveys

Implement food sampling and testing protocols

Monitor food temperature controls, storage conditions, and shelf-life management

Investigate food quality complaints and implement corrective actions

Maintain audit trails and documentation for compliance and quality reviews

Employee Engagement and Satisfaction

Gather employee feedback through surveys, suggestion boxes, and food committees

Address complaints and escalations promptly and professionally

Organize food tasting sessions and menu feedback programs

Celebrate cultural diversity through regional and festival-specific menus

Implement employee wellness initiatives through healthy food options

Manage employee meal card systems, subsidies, and payment mechanisms

Technology and Reporting

Implement cafeteria management systems for meal tracking and attendance

Utilize RFID/biometric systems for meal consumption tracking

Generate reports on meal counts, costs, satisfaction scores, and compliance

Analyze data for trend identification and continuous improvement

Implement digital feedback mechanisms and complaint management systems

Team Management and Training

Manage relationships with vendor teams including chefs, cooks, and service staff

Ensure adequate staffing levels across all shifts and locations

Coordinate training programs on food safety, hygiene, and customer service

Conduct induction programs for new vendor staff and service teams

Foster service excellence culture and accountability

Stakeholder Coordination

Collaborate with HR, Admin, EHS, and Operations teams at each facility

Coordinate with plant heads and facility managers on F&B requirements

Communicate with union representatives on canteen-related matters

Partner with health and safety teams on wellness initiatives

Manage relationships with local suppliers and food vendors

Required QualificationsEducation and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Hotel Management, Food Science, Nutrition, Catering Management, or related field

8-12 years of experience in food and beverage operations management

Minimum 5 years managing multi-site food operations in manufacturing/industrial environment

Experience with large-scale catering operations (500+ meals per day per location)

Strong knowledge of factory canteen operations and shift-based meal services

Regulatory Knowledge

Deep understanding of FSSAI regulations, licensing, and compliance requirements

Knowledge of Factory Act provisions related to canteen facilities

Familiarity with health and safety regulations in industrial settings

Understanding of labor laws related to contract catering staff

Skills and Competencies

Strong vendor management and contract negotiation skills

Excellent knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and HACCP principles

Proven budget management and cost optimization abilities

Strong analytical skills with proficiency in MS Excel and reporting tools

Excellent problem-solving and crisis management capabilities

Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills

Ability to manage multiple locations and travel extensively (40-50% travel)

Cultural sensitivity and ability to cater to diverse workforce

Additional Requirements

Food Safety Supervisor certification preferred

Experience with ISO 22000 or similar food safety management systems preferred

Knowledge of nutrition and dietary planning

Familiarity with cafeteria management software and POS systems

Willingness to work flexible hours and respond to emergencies

Proficiency in English and Hindi; knowledge of regional languages beneficial

Success FactorsConsistent delivery of high-quality, hygienic food across all locations

100% compliance with FSSAI and food safety regulations

High employee satisfaction scores (80%+ positive feedback)

Achievement of budget targets with cost optimization

Zero food safety incidents or non-compliance issues

Strong vendor performance and relationship management

Proactive problem resolution and continuous improvement mindset

Effective standardization and quality consistency across facilities

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)Employee Satisfaction Score (quarterly surveys)

Food Safety Compliance Rate (100% target)

Cost per Meal/Per Person Per Day

Food Wastage Percentage

Vendor Performance Score

Audit Compliance Rate

Menu Variety Index

Complaint Resolution Time

Meal Service On-Time Percentage

Budget Variance (actual vs. planned)

Travel Requirements40-50% travel across manufacturing facilities in India

Regular site visits for audits, vendor reviews, and operations oversight

Flexibility to travel to remote factory locations

Reporting StructureThis position typically reports to the Regional Facilities Manager, Head of Workplace Services, or Operations Director, depending on organizational structure.

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements below. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:

JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health.

About JLL –

We’re JLL—a leading professional services and investment management firm specializing in real estate. We have operations in over 80 countries and a workforce of over 102,000 individuals around the world who help real estate owners, occupiers and investors achieve their business ambitions. As a global Fortune 500 company, we also have an inherent responsibility to drive sustainability and corporate social responsibility. That’s why we’re committed to our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world. We’re using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people, and our communities.

Our core values of teamwork, ethics and excellence are also fundamental to everything we do and we’re honored to be recognized with awards for our success by organizations both globally and locally.

Creating a diverse and inclusive culture where we all feel welcomed, valued and empowered to achieve our full potential is important to who we are today and where we’re headed in the future. And we know that unique backgrounds, experiences and perspectives help us think bigger, spark innovation and succeed together.