Cluster Manager/Assistant Cluster Manager- VaaS

Job Title: Cluster Manager/Assistant Cluster Manager

Company: Chai Point

Location: Bangalore

Role Summary

As a Cluster Operations Manager in Chai Point's VaaS (Vending as a Service) business, you will lead operations for a portfolio of Chai Point vending machines deployed across corporate parks, offices, and other commercial spaces. You will be responsible for ensuring high uptime, replenishment efficiency, quality assurance, and team productivity to deliver a seamless customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Oversight

• Manage 250–500 chai & beverage vending machines within the cluster
• Ensure optimal uptime, machine hygiene, and regular replenishment of raw materials like tea premix, milk, and cups
• Conduct routine audits on product quality, cleanliness, and machine functionality.

Team & Vendor Management

• Supervise a team of Lead partners, technicians and Partners working at client locations.
• Optimize refill and service routes using route planning tools.
• Coordinate with backend support, maintenance, and logistics for smooth operations.

Client Servicing

• Act as the key point of contact for corporate clients within the cluster.
• Ensure timely grievance redressal, issue resolution, and SLA compliance.
• Build strong on-ground relationships to ensure client retention and satisfaction.

Inventory & Wastage Management

• Track usage of raw materials and consumables per machine and per site.
• Minimize wastage through data-based replenishment and predictive restocking.
• Maintain buffer stock levels at site and cluster hubs.

Data Reporting & Insights

• Monitor daily operations and revenue dashboards
• Report on uptime %, refill cycle frequency, complaint TATs, and sales throughput.
• Use data insights to drive operational improvements and reduce costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (preferably in Hospitality, Operations or Engineering)
• 5–8 years of experience in vending machine operations, QSR, or logistics-intensive industries
• Experience in managing geographically distributed field teams

Key Skills

• Team and performance management
• Client relationship management
• Inventory control & forecasting
• Data analysis (Excel/ERP/IoT dashboards)
• Strong problem-solving and on-ground decision-making abilities

About Chai Point:

The world's largest Chai-led beverage platform, Chai Point, is an omni channel brand that started in 2011. The Company reaches millions of customers every day through multiple touch points including retail stores, cloud kitchens, corporate offices and institutions, consumer packaged goods, and HORECA (hotels, restaurants, and QSRs). myChai Brewing Bots system is a proprietary Cloud-connected Chai and coffee brewing technology platform that gives Chai Point the capability to brew fresh chai and coffee with consistent quality on a global scale. Chai Point is present in India through its retail network of over 180 stores across 9 major cities and in over 3500 workplace community hubs across 119 cities through its specialised brewing systems.

With single origin tea from Assam's finest estates and 100% single origin Arabica coffee beans from Rainforest Alliance certified estates of Chikmagalur, Karnataka, Chai Point is already serving over 700,000 cups every day. Chai Point is the first company in India to launch environment-friendly heat retaining Chai flasks in 2016 that can keep the chai, coffee hot for up to 2 hours.

Chai Point is backed by marquee investors like Eight Roads Ventures (part of Fidelity Investments Inc.), Saama Capital, DSG, Paragon Partners and Kitara Capital. The Company has raised over $50 million in funds till date.

Company Culture:

We are driven by our brand purpose – "Serve a great cup that brightens lives and brings people together". As a beverage platform, we have a strong bias for technology. We live with a sports credo. We are here to win and that happens when teams perform well. Collaborative mindset, happy positive attitude and an analytical mindset does wonders for us. Smart but acidic; Performer but a loner ; Great pedigree but disdainful of a collaborative mindset – these are all strict NO for us.

We are Passionate & we Innovate every day; we believe in being Detail Oriented as the difference between mediocrity & excellence is in the attention to details. We are Happy Positive & move forward with a happy spirit and believe that solutions are easier to find when you have a smile on, Team Orientation & Ownership are qualities that have got us this far and will lead the way in making us the most lovable brand, if you think you resonate with what you just read. We are an ideal match

Chai Point has taken a leadership role in its commitment to social responsibility. Our priority was and is to move towards 100% plastic-free, recyclable usage of consumables. By promoting recycling, fostering green procurement, reducing waste and exceeding regulatory requirements whenever possible, we aim to minimize our impact on the environment.