Head Kitchen Designer

At Sodexo, we provide a bouquet of 100+ service offerings to varied clientele — corporates, healthcare organizations, manufacturing locations, educational institutes and in remote environments. Our solutions range across food & catering, facilities management, technical services, workplace experience, energy management, and benefits & rewards services. We harbour an inclusive, diverse, fair, equal, and positive work environment to improve the quality of life of those we serve, everyday.

Our employees believe that working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater because we believe our everyday actions have a big impact. You belong in a company that allows you to act with purpose and thrive in your own way. Sodexo has been recently accredited with the Great Place To Work® certification.

"Sodexo promotes an inclusive and diverse workplace and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds."

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Here’s an opportunity to be a part of an organization which is fuelled with the brand purpose of creating a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all.

JOB DESCRIPTION – HEAD OF KITCHEN DESIGN (Commercial Kitchens / Central Kitchens / Cloud Kitchens)

Location - Bangalore / Mumbai

Job Summary

The purpose of this position is to lead individual, multi-disciplined Kitchen Design solutions for clients, with direct accountability for Design Delivery (C&I + Technical). The Head of Kitchen Design shall be responsible for the growth target for Design related assignments for Sodexo on Pan-India Basis. Working mainly with existing clients, the mission is to generate Design project opportunities, qualify them, build a solution and deliver the Design assignment on time and within the timelines and quality as agreed internally and externally, ensuring adherence to QHSE standards, and compliance with statutory regulations and technical industry standards.

This is a great opportunity to be successful in a growth organization, a growing market and fully supported by an excellent market position.

Essential duties and Responsibilities

• Designing of kitchen according to Client Requirement & giving Equipment BOQ with specification, Electric/Plumbing/Gas Line point location in kitchen
• Design Kitchens with focus on kitchen automation and inclusion of latest equipment technology
• Make Equipment drawing for Approval for fabrication.
• Co-ordination towards installation of Equipment on site according to layout plan.
• Creates and executes design assignment plans and revises as appropriate to meet client’s changing needs and requirements.
• Plan and schedule project timeliness.
• Identifies resources needed and assigns individual responsibilities.
• Manages day-to-day operational aspects of the assignment and scope.
• Reviews deliverable prepared by team before passing to client.
• Effectively applies our methodology and enforces pre-defined standards.
• Facilitates team and client meetings effectively.
• Holds regular status meetings with internal and external stakeholders
• Keeps internal stakeholders well informed of changes within the organization and general corporate news.
• Define, collect and control performance metrics to give a sense for how the assignment is progressing and ensure delivery of consistent quality solution.
• Identifies, Track, manage and resolve any Issues arising during the assignment
• Ensures entire documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately.
• Determines appropriate revenue recognition, ensures timely and accurate
• invoicing, and monitors receivables for project.
• Own a growth target. Responsible for the new sales target for Design assignments but in a matrixed organization where other roles are also contributed
• Recruit and retain talent for the present delivery and future growth of the department
• Propose apt solution for pitches to the client
• Manages all facets of Design assignment (budget, schedule, procurement, quality & risk) for individual projects including project sales support, planning, design, construction, handover and closeout.
• Demonstrates capability to read, understand and apply standard to moderately complex documents affecting the assignment, including but not limited to: agreements/contracts, leases, work letters, project charters, surveys and drawings.
• Ensure safe delivery of Design assignments through the management of risk and competence
• Interfaces directly with clients to define Design requirements. Prepares scope of work, project delivery resource requirements, cost estimate & budget, work plan schedule & milestones, quality control, and risk identification.
• Establish and maintain a usable and well-communicated schedule for all phases of a project
• Leads the Design Team providing project guidance and direction to achieve project goals.
• Implements communication plan for meetings and written reports/meeting minutes to keep client and internal stakeholders informed. Facilitates client meetings.
• Identify, track, manage and mitigate risk on specific client engagements. Escalate these issues when necessary to ensure minimal impact to quality, budget, and timeline.
• Demonstrates ability to identify project risks, develop risk mitigation and contingency plans, and implement action plans to reduce or eliminate project risks.
• Assures project legal documents are completed and signed.
• Follows up with clients, when necessary, regarding unpaid invoices.
• Continually seeks opportunities to increase customer satisfaction and deepen client relationships.
• Work with Account Directors, other sales leads and on site client delivery teams to deliver project management solutions and revenue
• Lead the development of Value Propositions during Sales Pitch
• Deliver contractual commitments on secured projects.
• Promote and maintain the core values of Sodexo
• Other duties as assigned
• Travel as required to all locations (within India) as per requirement

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree (BA/BS/BEng/BArch/ Diploma in Design) required from College or University in a technical area of study.
• Minimum 15 years of related experience and/or training with at least 7 years as Head of Design Department specifically (leading a team of minimum 7 team members) focusing on Kitchen Design

Communication Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organizational and analytical skills. Ability to provide efficient, timely, reliable and courteous service to customers. Ability to effectively present information.

Financial Knowledge

• Requires advanced knowledge of financial terms and principles. Ability to calculate intermediate figures such as percentages, discounts, and commissions. Conducts advanced financial analysis.
• Understands basic revenue models, margin, fee forecast and cost-to-completion projections
• Understand pricing model and billing procedures.

Other skills and Abilities

• Intermediate skills with Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to read and understand architectural drawings. Knowledge in AutoCAD (along with other Design softwares such as Primavera etc), MS Project, leases, contracts, and construction practices.
• Intermediate skills with Microsoft Office Suite
• Knowledge of working on AutoCAD