Director of Food And Beverage

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and commercially driven Director of Food & Beverage at Taj West End, Bengaluru, to lead and elevate the food, beverage and culinary operations of our hotel. Reporting directly to the General Manager and serving as a member of the Management Committee, this leadership role is responsible for driving operational excellence, enhancing guest experiences, maximizing revenue and profitability, and developing high-performing teams.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong blend of strategic thinking, business acumen, people leadership, and hospitality expertise to create exceptional dining experiences while ensuring sustainable business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the Food & Beverage strategy aligned with overall hotel business objectives.
• Analyze market trends and competitor activities to drive innovation and maintain market leadership.
• Partner with the Management Committee to contribute to hotel-wide growth initiatives.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Prepare and manage departmental budgets, forecasts, and profitability targets.
• Drive revenue performance across restaurants, bars, banquets, and other F&B outlets.
• Implement menu engineering and pricing strategies in partnership with the Executive Chef.
• Optimize costs, resource allocation, vendor partnerships, and operational efficiencies.

Guest Experience & Brand Excellence

• Ensure delivery of exceptional guest experiences across all F&B touchpoints.
• Review guest feedback and implement improvement initiatives.
• Build and nurture relationships with key guests, corporate clients, VIPs, and loyalty members.
• Lead promotional initiatives and experiential dining concepts that enhance brand positioning.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee day-to-day F&B operations, ensuring service, quality, hygiene, and safety standards are consistently met.
• Conduct regular operational reviews and identify opportunities to improve processes and performance.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Culinary teams to maintain and upgrade equipment and facilities.

People Leadership

• Recruit, develop, coach, and mentor a high-performing Food & Beverage team.
• Drive performance management, succession planning, learning, and development initiatives.
• Foster a culture of engagement, recognition, accountability, and service excellence.
• Champion IHCL values while building an inclusive and collaborative work environment.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with all statutory, food safety, hygiene, and internal audit requirements.
• Lead risk assessment and safety initiatives across all Food & Beverage operations.
• Maintain adherence to IHCL operational standards and governance practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Hospitality Management or related field.
• MBA or additional professional certifications are an advantage.

Experience

• 12-15 years of progressive experience in hospitality Food & Beverage operations.
• Minimum 1 year of experience as a Director of Food & Beverage or equivalent leadership role.
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth, operational excellence, and guest satisfaction in luxury or upscale hospitality environments.

Key Competencies

Functional Competencies

• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Cost Management
• Menu Engineering
• Vendor Management
• Business Acumen
• Sales & Marketing Awareness
• Sustainability Practices
• Financial Planning & Analysis
• Food Safety & Hygiene Standards

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Decision Making
• Team Building & Talent Development
• Coaching & Mentoring
• Customer Centricity
• Results Orientation
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Conflict Resolution
• Stakeholder Management