Chef Manager

SmartQ; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 800,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

SmartQ in Bengaluru, India is seeking a Chef Manager to lead the corporate cafeteria kitchen, blending culinary excellence with strong managerial skills.

You will design diverse, nutritious menus, oversee food production, inventory, cost management, lead kitchen staff, ensure safety standards, and maintain client satisfaction. This role offers opportunities to innovate in a fast-growing food-tech environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ proven experience as a Chef Manager or similar leadership role.
• Strong culinary background with expertise in menu development and food presentation.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices.
• Ability to manage budgets and control costs effectively.

Responsibilities

• Menu planning and innovation aligned with client expectations and dietary requirements.
• Oversee culinary workflow—from food production and presentation to inventory control and cost management.
• Team leadership: recruit, train, and supervise kitchen staff, fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Quality and safety: ensure meals meet hygiene standards and regulatory guidelines.
• Client engagement: maintain relationships, address feedback, and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Financial stewardship: monitor budgets and optimize resources without compromising quality.

Skills

Leadership

Culinary expertise

Menu development

Food presentation

Budget control

Food safety knowledge

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.

Key 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 & Skills

• 5+ proven experience as a Chef Manager or similar leadership role in a corporate or institutional setting.
• Strong culinary background with expertise in menu development and food presentation.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices.
• Ability to manage budgets and control costs 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.