Website: https://www.meragi.com/

Required Skills: Leadership and Team Management, Multi-Tasking, Problem solving and decision-making skills, Manage Client Relationships, Strong knowledge of the Hyderabad market

Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced City Head - Catering to lead Catering Category - Sales & Operations in Hyderabad. This role requires a seasoned business professional with a blend of strategic thinking, operational excellence, and a customer-first approach. The City Head will play a pivotal role in expanding Meragi's catering footprint, enabling a seamless booking process, ensuring top notch execution of events, and maintaining high-quality customer experiences.

Key Responsibilities

1. Category Sales Leadership

- Revenue Growth:

- Drive catering sales along with Sales Org to achieve monthly/annual revenue targets for the category in Hyderabad.

- Develop and execute sales strategies to enhance conversions on leads.

- Leverage upselling opportunities to maximize project level profitability.

- Market Expansion:

- Identify and penetrate untapped markets and niches in Hyderabad for growth opportunities.

- Sales Support & Enablement:

- Update and train Sales org on product, offerings and processes.

- Develop and execute incentive programs to build and maintain excitement of Sales org in category.

2. Vendor Base Management

- Vendor Onboarding & Evaluation:

- Identify white spaces in caterer portfolio and onboard high-quality caterers, suppliers, and service providers to meet Meragi's standards.

- Ensure evaluations and audits of vendors, including kitchen visits to assess hygiene, food quality, and safety standards.

- Establish clear contracts, including pricing, deliverables, and service-level agreements (SLAs).

- Vendor Relationship Management:

- Build strong relationships with vendors to ensure commitment, reliability, and mutual trust.

- Conduct internal reviews to evaluate vendor reliability, service quality, and responsiveness and take action wherever necessary.

- Act as the primary point of contact for vendor escalations, resolving issues promptly and effectively.

- Cost Optimization:

- Negotiate pricing and payment terms with vendors to optimize costs without compromising quality while growing Meragi margins.

- Identify and onboard alternative vendors to create competitive pricing and reduce dependency on a single supplier.



3. Operations Management

- Event Execution:

- Plan and oversee all catering executions in the city, ensuring smooth execution of events, from logistics, final service delivery to final customer feedback. - Coordinate with vendors and internal teams to meet client expectations for food quality, presentation, and timeliness.

- Inventory and Resource Management:

- Monitor inventory levels, equipment availability, and resource allocation for events.

- Work with the procurement team to ensure high-quality supplies at optimal costs.

4. Team Leadership

- Team Development:

- Recruit, train, and manage a high-performing team of Catering Experts, Chef in Residence, Project Managers, and support personnel.

- Support team in customer handling, product knowledge, and operational efficiencies.

- Performance Management:

- Set clear KPIs for the team and monitor progress regularly.

- Provide mentorship, coaching, and feedback to drive individual and team performance.

- Conflict Resolution:

- Address escalations and resolve conflicts between clients, vendors, or team members promptly and effectively.

5. Strategic Planning

- Data-Driven Decision Making:

- Analyze sales and operational data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.

- Generate regular performance reports and present insights to senior management.

- Service Innovation:

- Lead efforts to introduce new offerings such as live food counters, modern cuisine options, or innovative presentation styles tailored to the Hyderabad market.

- Stay updated with catering trends and recommend strategies to differentiate Meragi in the local market.

- Financial Planning:

- Take ownership of CM1 for the city in alignment with corporate goals

6. Customer Experience and Quality Assurance

- Client Satisfaction:

- Track CSAT for the city and take initiatives to improve the metric as per Corporate ambitions.

- Ensure an exceptional end-to-end client experience, from initial consultation to event wrap-up.

- Conduct post-event internal feedback sessions and implement improvements based on client insights.

- Quality Control:

- Regularly audit the food, service, and presentation quality at executions to ensure consistency and excellence.

- Oversee food tastings and work closely with Chefs to customize menus that align with client preferences.

- Complaint Resolution:

- Address any service or quality complaints immediately to protect the brand reputation.

Qualifications :-

- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field. MBA preferred.

- Minimum of 6-10 years of experience in business management, sales, operations or event management, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.

- Strong knowledge of the Hyderabad market, including client demographics, cultural nuances, and vendor ecosystems.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage high-profile clients confidently.

- Proven ability to manage large teams and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.

- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills with a focus on delivering results.