Associate Manager – Vending Operations

SmartQ; Pune District; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

SmartQ in Pune is seeking an Associate Manager – Vending Operations to lead day-to-day vending machine operations across client locations, ensuring uptime, stock availability, and service excellence. You will coordinate with warehouse, procurement, logistics, and maintenance teams, manage field staff, monitor sales, inventories, and dashboards, and drive cost optimizations and SOP compliance.

The role requires 2–4 years in operations management and a relevant bachelor’s degree; experience in

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in operations management.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Operations, Supply Chain, Hospitality, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in vending operations, retail operations, food service, FMCG distribution, quick commerce, or facility management is preferred.
• Experience in managing field operations teams across multiple locations.
• Hands-on experience in inventory management and vendor coordination.
• Client and stakeholder management.
• Vendor management and coordination.
• Data analysis and reporting using MS Excel.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end operations of vending machines across assigned client locations.
• Ensure high machine uptime through preventive maintenance and timely breakdown resolution.
• Oversee inventory planning, stock replenishment, and minimize stock-outs across vending machines.
• Coordinate with warehouse, procurement, logistics, and maintenance teams for uninterrupted operations.
• Lead and manage field executives, refill staff, and service technicians to achieve operational KPIs.
• Monitor vending sales, inventory movement, machine performance, and operational dashboards.
• Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with operational SOPs, food safety, and hygiene standards.
• Resolve client escalations promptly and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Track service requests and ensure SLA adherence for maintenance and issue resolution.
• Analyze sales and consumption trends to optimize product assortment and inventory levels.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives and improve operational efficiency.
• Support new machine deployments, client onboarding, and expansion projects.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly MIS reports for management review.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, statutory requirements, and safety standards.

Skills

Operations management

Field operations

Inventory management

Vendor coordination

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

SmartQ is redefining how the world experiences food. As a next-generation food-tech innovator, we solve real operational challenges through empathy-led insights and powerful technology. Our mission is clear: to elevate everyday dining into a seamless and meaningful experience.

In the last decade, we’ve transformed cafeteria and food operations across industries with scalable, cutting-edge solutions. Operating in 14 countries and backed by Compass Group- a $60B global foodservice leader SmartQ continues to push the boundaries of what modern food-tech can achieve.

Since our inception in 2015, we’ve become a trusted partner for corporates, hospitals, universities, and food courts worldwide. With a bold vision to become the world’s largest B2B food-tech company, we connect people through exceptional food experiences powered by advanced technology. Today, we proudly serve 400+ global clients, including leaders like Google, HSBC, Amazon, and Wells Fargo.

Great People | Great Food | Great Experience | Greater Good

These values inspire collaboration, innovation, humility, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

To dive deeper into what drives us, explore our cultural pillars on the SmartQ LinkedIn ‘Life’ page. It offers an authentic glimpse into the journey you could be part of: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartq-bottlelabs/life/cdc290f8-ff81-4e7f-9c96-37d842f936c4/?viewA…

Are you excited to join our team as Associate Manager – Vending Operations?

Do you enjoy driving operational excellence and building strong client relationships? If your answer is a resounding yes, then we'd love to hear from you.

As an Associate Manager – Vending Operations at SmartQ, you will be responsible for managing and optimizing day-to-day vending operations to ensure service excellence, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction. You will coordinate with clients, vendors, and internal teams, monitor machine performance and inventory, and drive continuous improvements to support business growth.

Do you possess all these skills and wish to make an impact in the world of food and technology?

Roles and responsibilities:

• Manage end-to-end operations of vending machines across assigned client locations.
• Ensure high machine uptime through preventive maintenance and timely breakdown resolution.
• Oversee inventory planning, stock replenishment, and minimize stock-outs across vending machines.
• Coordinate with warehouse, procurement, logistics, and maintenance teams for uninterrupted operations.
• Lead and manage field executives, refill staff, and service technicians to achieve operational KPIs.
• Monitor vending sales, inventory movement, machine performance, and operational dashboards.
• Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with operational SOPs, food safety, and hygiene standards.
• Resolve client escalations promptly and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Track service requests and ensure SLA adherence for maintenance and issue resolution.
• Analyze sales and consumption trends to optimize product assortment and inventory levels.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives and improve operational efficiency.
• Support new machine deployments, client onboarding, and expansion projects.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly MIS reports for management review.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, statutory requirements, and safety standards.

Qualifications:

• 2– 4 years of experience in operations management.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Operations, Supply Chain, Hospitality, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in vending operations, retail operations, food service, FMCG distribution, quick commerce, or facility management is preferred.
• Experience in managing field operations teams across multiple locations.
• Hands-on experience in inventory management and vendor coordination.
• Client and stakeholder management.
• Vendor management and coordination.
• Data analysis and reporting using MS Excel.

Message from CEO:

We've come to realize that we're not merely in the B2B Food service industry; we're in the business of 'Capturing Hearts.' We find ourselves in a unique position to turn ordinary, mundane corporate cafeterias into places of pure delight, where individuals can freely express themselves, find inspiration, and share happiness. Such a profound transformation opportunity is a rare gift, where the purpose of our enterprise transcends the ordinary. If this vision resonates with you, we invite you to join us in our mission to spread joy and happiness in a world weighed down by stress and pressure. Together, let's play our part in making this world a more beautiful place.