Head of Catering Compliance & Performance

Alchemy Global Talent Solutions Ltd.; Doha; On-site; QAR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading talent acquisition firm in Doha is seeking a seasoned professional to lead the transformation of catering compliance processes. The role involves designing performance metrics, ensuring high-quality standards, and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance supplier performance. Candidates should have at least 10 years in culinary and airline catering, with strong leadership and problem-solving skills. This position offers the opportunity to implement a comprehensive compliance strategy and advance operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant culinary and airline catering experience.
• Proven ability to identify processes and develop KPIs for each operational step.
• In-depth knowledge of quality control and compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transformation of catering processes for food and non-food services.
• Define supplier performance expectations through KPIs and agreements.
• Establish catering compliance strategy with policies and risk mitigation protocols.
• Develop performance improvement strategies with internal stakeholders.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with evolving regulations.
• Utilize data and reporting tools for performance management.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Leadership skills

Project management skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts or related discipline

Job description

You will be responsible for leading the transformation of catering compliance processes and systems for both food and non-food services, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality standards. The role will design and implement performance metrics and KPIs for suppliers and partners, aligning them with business objectives.

You will work closely with key stakeholders to develop strategies that drive continuous supplier performance improvement, support operational teams, and enhance customer experience and satisfaction. Additionally, you will oversee the implementation of a comprehensive catering compliance strategy, including policies and procedures, to mitigate risks, ensure adherence to regulations, and uphold ethical standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the transformation of catering processes and systems by developing and implementing innovative, scalable solutions for food and non-food services to achieve consistent delivery of high-quality standards.
• Define and align supplier performance expectations through KPIs and service level agreements with global suppliers and partners to drive operational excellence.
• Establish and oversee the catering compliance strategy by formulating policies and risk mitigation protocols in line with regulatory and internal requirements to ensure compliance and ethical practices.
• Develop long-term performance improvement strategies in collaboration with internal stakeholders (e.g., Cabin Crew, Procurement, Operations) to enhance satisfaction and brand reputation.
• Act as liaison with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with evolving regulations, including single-use plastics, international waste, and food safety requirements.
• Provide strategic leadership in performance management by using data and reporting tools to monitor delivery, strengthen customer satisfaction, and achieve financial sustainability.
• Engage with industry peers to align with best practices and strengthen discussions with official entities on sustainability and recycling programmes.
• Monitor supplier performance by conducting audits, reviews, and data analysis to ensure consistency of service and identify improvement areas.
• Ensure compliance with global and local regulations covering food safety, hygiene, and aviation standards to mitigate operational and reputational risks.
• Develop and implement audit programmes tailored for non-food suppliers to strengthen oversight and ensure alignment with corporate standards.
• Oversee training and audits to maintain the highest standards of hygiene, safety, and food handling across catering operations.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by leveraging customer feedback, performance data, and operational insights to deliver service innovations and corrective actions.
• Maintain performance dashboards and reporting systems using digital tools to enable data-driven decision making and real-time performance visibility.
• Define quality standards and Acceptable Quality Limits (AQLs) for all SKUs, ensuring alignment with legal requirements and industry best practice to maintain consistency and reduce non-compliance issues.
• Set measurable quality and performance targets for suppliers through ongoing monitoring and evaluations, driving improvements in supplier output and alignment with business objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Culinary Arts or a related discipline, with at least 10 years of relevant culinary and airline catering experience.
• Strong organisational skills to oversee daily operations, streamline processes, and optimise resources.
• Proven ability to identify processes and develop KPIs for each operational step.
• In-depth knowledge of quality control procedures and compliance standards, particularly in health, safety, and food handling.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively with clients, team members, and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess risks and implement effective solutions.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to inspire and manage diverse teams, delegate tasks, provide feedback, and support professional development.
• Expertise in planning and coordinating supplier continuous improvement initiatives based on performance results.
• Solid project management skills, with particular experience in sustainability programmes.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, effectively prioritising to meet deadlines and deliver business objectives.
• A forward-thinking mindset with the ability to innovate and adapt to evolving market conditions and customer needs.