Chef Manager

SmartQ; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

SmartQ in Bengaluru is seeking a Chef Manager to lead the corporate cafeteria kitchen, delivering high-quality meals and exceptional dining experiences for employees and guests.

The role requires 5+ years in culinary leadership, strong menu development and team management, and a track record in budget control and food safety. This is a hands-on, results-driven leadership position with significant impact on client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years in a Chef Manager or senior culinary leadership role in corporate or B2B food service.
• Proven ability to design menus that meet client dietary needs and industry standards.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team management skills.
• Deep knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and compliance guidelines.
• Experience managing budgets, food costs, wastage, and inventory.

Responsibilities

• Menu Planning & Innovation: Design and implement diverse, nutritious menus aligned with client expectations.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee culinary workflow, production, presentation, inventory control and costs.
• Team Leadership: Recruit, train, and supervise kitchen staff; foster collaboration and accountability.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensure meals meet taste, hygiene, and regulatory standards.
• Client Engagement: Maintain client relationships, address feedback, ensure satisfaction.
• Financial Stewardship: Monitor budgets and optimize resources without compromising quality.

Skills

Menu planning

Leadership

Budget control

Food safety

Culinary expertise

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.

At the heart of SmartQ is a culture shaped by four core pillars:

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 Chef Manager?

The Chef Manager is the operational leader of the kitchen within a corporate cafeteria environment. This role combines culinary expertise with strong managerial skills to deliver exceptional dining experiences for employees and guests.

If you are a dynamic, results-oriented manager with a proven track record in steering MNCs toward unprecedented success, we invite you to seize this opportunity to make a profound impact on our global presence.

Do you have the skills, passion, and curiosity to create real value? Join us and become a part of our innovation journey!

Key roles and responsibilities:

• Menu Planning & Innovation: Design and implement diverse, nutritious, and appealing menus aligned with client expectations and dietary requirements.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee the entire culinary workflow—from food production and presentation to inventory control and cost management.
• Team Leadership: Recruit, train, and supervise kitchen staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensure all meals meet the highest standards of taste, hygiene, and food safety in compliance with regulatory guidelines.
• Client & Customer Engagement: Maintain strong relationships with clients, address feedback promptly, and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Financial Stewardship: Monitor budgets, control food costs, and optimize resources without compromising quality.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of proven experience as a Chef Manager or in a similar culinary leadership role, preferably in a corporate, institutional, or B2B Food & Beverage environment.
• Strong culinary background with expertise in menu development, food preparation, quality, and presentation.
• Excellent leadership, communication, team management, and organizational skills.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, hygiene standards, and best practices.
• Ability to manage budgets, food costs, wastage, inventory, and overall operational expenses effectively.

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.