City Head

City Head - Catering (Hyderabad)
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 Meragis 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.