Description:
JOB DESCRIPTION
Title: General Manager – Airline Catering
Reporting Matrix: Directly Reporting to: Vice President-Operations/CEO
Band: Senior Leadership
Function: General Management
Job Family: Business Operations & Leadership
Job Purpose
To provide strategic leadership and overall management of the airline catering unit, ensuring operational excellence, customer satisfaction, food safety compliance, financial performance, and people development. The role is accountable for end-to-end business performance, including production, logistics, quality, engineering, commercial coordination, and client relationships while maintaining the highest standards required by airline customers and regulatory authorities.
Job Description
Strategic & Business Leadership
- Lead and manage the overall operations and profitability of the airline catering unit.
- Develop and execute business strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
- Drive sustainable growth through operational efficiency, customer retention, and service excellence.
- Review business performance regularly and implement corrective actions to achieve targets.
Operations Management
- Oversee end-to-end catering operations including procurement, food production, assembly, logistics, and inflight delivery.
- Ensure timely delivery of meals and services in accordance with airline schedules and service level agreements.
- Monitor productivity, operational efficiency, and resource utilization across departments.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality and reduce operational costs.
Customer & Airline Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with airline clients.
- Lead airline review meetings and ensure closure of customer concerns.
- Ensure compliance with airline-specific standards, specifications, and contractual obligations.
- Identify opportunities for business expansion and service enhancement.
Financial Management
- Drive achievement of revenue, profitability, and cost targets.
- Prepare and manage annual budgets and forecasts.
- Monitor food cost, labor cost, wastage, and operational expenditure.
- Evaluate capital investments and ensure optimal utilization of resources.
Quality, Food Safety & Compliance
- Ensure adherence to FSSAI, HACCP, ISO, HALAL, airline, and regulatory standards.
- Lead preparedness and successful completion of customer and regulatory audits.
- Promote a strong culture of food safety, hygiene, and quality across the unit.
- Ensure implementation of corrective and preventive actions for audit findings and customer complaints.
People Leadership & Talent Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop department heads and functional teams.
- Drive employee engagement, capability building, succession planning, and performance management.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Stakeholder Management
- Collaborate with corporate functions including Finance, HR, Commercial, Engineering, Procurement, and QA.
- Maintain effective liaison with airport authorities, regulatory agencies, vendors, and service partners.
- Represent the company in customer forums, industry discussions, and key stakeholder engagements.
Major Areas of Responsibility
- Overall Business Performance & Profitability
- Customer Satisfaction & Airline Relationship Management
- Operational Excellence & Service Delivery
- Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance
- Budgeting & Cost Control
- Team Leadership & Capability Development
- Risk Management & Business Continuity
- Strategic Planning & Growth Initiatives
- Audit Readiness & Compliance Management
- Resource Optimization & Productivity Enhancement
Qualifications & Experience
Educational Qualification
- Graduate in Hotel Management / Hospitality Management / Business Administration.
- MBA or Post-Graduate Qualification.
Experience
- Minimum 18–25 years of experience in hospitality, airline catering, aviation services, food production, or large-scale catering operations.
- At least 8–10 years in senior leadership roles managing large operational teams and customer-facing businesses.
- Proven experience in handling airline clients, operational excellence programs, and P&L responsibilities.
- Strong exposure to food safety systems, audits, and regulatory compliance.