This role profile is a guide to the work you will be required to undertake. It may be changed from time to time to stay aligned with evolving business context. It does not form part of your contract of employment.
Overall purpose of the role
Strategic leader responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and operationalizing Compass Group India's entire central kitchen ecosystem. This role involves end-to-end ownership—from greenfield site identification and feasibility analysis through design, construction, commissioning, and seamless handover to operations. The successful candidate will build and scale India's largest & most advanced commercial kitchen infrastructure while ensuring compliance with Group food safety standards, sustainability mandates, and operational excellence benchmarks.
Key Accountability: Deliver central kitchen & café projects that drive cost efficiencies, ensure smooth downstream operations, and support 25%+ YoY business growth.
Key deliverables / Scope of role
A. Strategic Planning & Business Development (20%)
- Develop and execute a comprehensive multi-year Central Kitchen Infrastructure Roadmap aligned with business growth projections across all sectors with specific focus on Business & Industry.
- Conduct market intelligence and feasibility studies to identify optimal locations based on demand clusters, logistics networks, and regulatory environments.
- Build investment cases and ROI models for each central kitchen project (CapEx requirements, payback periods, operational leverage).
- Partner with Finance, Sales and Operational / Regional teams to align capacity planning with client acquisition pipelines.
- Establish strategic partnerships with technology providers, equipment OEMs, and civil contractors.
B. Site Identification & Acquisition (15%)
- Lead site selection process evaluating proximity to demand centres, transportation connectivity, utilities availability, labour markets, and regulatory compliance.
- Negotiate land lease/purchase agreements, obtain necessary statutory approvals (licensing, environmental clearances, FSSAI approvals, fire NOCs etc.).
- Manage relationships with state and local authorities.
- Ensure compliance with RERA, environmental laws, and safety regulations.
C. Design & Engineering (20%)
- Develop comprehensive design briefs incorporating production capacity, product mix, equipment specifications, utility requirements.
- Collaborate with architects, MEP consultants, and others experts to create optimal layouts (zoning, material flow, hygiene barriers, cold chain integrity).
- Specify industrial kitchen equipment, automation systems, refrigeration infrastructure, and waste management solutions.
- Ensure designs meet Indian and Compass Group global standards (where relevant).
- Drive aggressive automation in every area to improve productivity, throughput & to optimize cost.
- Integrate sustainability features: renewable energy, water recycling, waste-to-energy etc.
D. Project Management & Construction (25%)
- Oversee end-to-end project execution: tender processes, contractor selection, construction supervision, quality assurance.
- Manage multi-disciplinary teams including civil contractors, MEP vendors, equipment suppliers, and commissioning specialists.
- Ensure adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
- Implement robust project governance: stage-gate reviews, risk mitigation, change management, stakeholder communication.
- Coordinate utility connections (power, water, gas, effluent treatment), automation/ system integrations, and safety systems.
E. Commissioning & Operations Handover (15%)
- Lead commissioning activities: equipment calibration, trial productions, process validations, HACCP plan verification.
- Obtain all regulatory certifications and licenses (FSSAI State/Central License, Pollution Control clearances etc.).
- Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), training manuals, and preventive maintenance schedules.
- Train operations teams on equipment handling, food safety protocols, and quality systems.
- Execute structured handover to Operations with defined KPIs, SLAs, and performance dashboards.
- Provide 6-month post-handover technical support and optimization.
F. Team Leadership & Capability Building (5%)
- Build and mentor a high-performing hybrid team of specialists both internal and external; develop extremely strong external partner ecosystem where required.
- Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Drive innovation & continuous improvement for existing CPUs bringing in new technologies, automation & process optimization ideas and ensuring effective deployment in existing CPU network.
Person specifications
- B.Tech / B.E. in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Food Technology
- Minimum of 10+ years of professional experience in building large-scale commercial kitchens and cafeterias, food processing infrastructure with a significant portion of this experience gained in the corporate or manufacturing sectors e.g. in hospitality, catering, large restaurants.
- Proven expertise in project management, including budget forecasting, timeline management, and resource allocation.
- In-depth knowledge of food service equipment, kitchen layouts, and operational workflows; expertise in food safety management systems; strong understanding of statutory compliances.
- Proficiency in project management tools; excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills; strong focus on data-driven decision making.
- Exceptional stakeholder management (SteerCo, government authorities, contractors, consultants).
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects concurrently, crisis management and problem-solving under pressure, change leadership and organizational agility.
- Certification in PMP, Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt), HACCP Lead Auditor, or equivalent will be an advantage.
Key Contacts and working relationships
- Business Leads, Sector Leads, Regional Heads / Directors, Operations State Heads
- Sales & solutioning teams
- Head Culinary & Innovation, Regional Chef's, CPU teams
- HSEQ teams
- External partners / vendors
