Manager - Maintenance & Engineering

Job Description Maintenance Manager (QSR Operations)

Location: Chennai & Bangalore
Department: Engineering & Maintenance
Industry: Quick Service Restaurant (QSR)

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Head and manage overall maintenance and engineering operations across all QSR outlets in Chennai and Bangalore.
• Develop and implement preventive and corrective maintenance plans for all outlets and equipment.
• Supervise electrical, mechanical, plumbing, refrigeration, air-conditioning, exhaust, and kitchen equipment maintenance.
• Ensure timely resolution of breakdowns and minimize equipment downtime and operational disruptions.
• Conduct regular outlet inspections to ensure equipment reliability, infrastructure upkeep, and safety compliance.
• Lead and monitor maintenance supervisors, technicians, and outsourced service providers across both cities.
• Allocate outlet responsibilities, schedule maintenance visits, and monitor team productivity and work completion.
• Manage vendors, annual maintenance contracts (AMCs), warranties, service agreements, and spare-parts procurement.
• Prepare and monitor maintenance budgets, control repair costs, and optimize maintenance expenditure.
• Coordinate with Operations, Projects, Purchase, and Administration teams for maintenance requirements and new outlet openings.
• Ensure engineering readiness, equipment installation, testing, and commissioning before new outlets commence operations.
• Ensure upkeep of fire safety systems, electrical safety, statutory inspections, and applicable engineering compliance requirements.
• Maintain equipment registers, preventive maintenance schedules, breakdown reports, service records, and compliance documentation.
• Establish and monitor maintenance helpdesk processes, response timelines, and complaint closure standards.
• Analyze recurring equipment failures and implement permanent corrective actions to prevent repeat breakdowns.
• Recommend equipment replacement, infrastructure upgrades, and capital expenditure based on technical and financial evaluation.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, safety procedures, vendor approval processes, and quality standards.
• Submit weekly and monthly maintenance performance reports, including downtime, expenditure, pending complaints, and preventive maintenance compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement in equipment life, maintenance efficiency, cost control, and outlet operational performance.

Educational Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or relevant Engineering discipline.
• ITI qualification in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering may be considered for candidates with substantial relevant experience and strong technical expertise.
• Additional certification in facilities management, industrial safety, HVAC, or maintenance management will be an added advantage.

Experience Requirements

• 8–12 years of overall experience in engineering, maintenance, or facilities management.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in a maintenance leadership role, preferably managing multiple locations.
• Experience in QSR, restaurant chains, hotels, food service, retail, or commercial facilities is preferred.
• Proven experience in maintaining kitchen equipment, refrigeration systems, electrical installations, HVAC, plumbing, and related infrastructure.
• Experience in preventive maintenance planning, breakdown management, vendor coordination, AMC management, and budget control.
• Experience in leading technicians and maintenance teams across multiple outlets or geographical locations.
• Exposure to new outlet setup, equipment installation, commissioning, and engineering audits is desirable.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent team leadership and vendor management capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple outlets across Chennai and Bangalore.
• Strong planning, coordination, reporting, and cost-control skills.
• Knowledge of electrical safety, fire safety, and applicable statutory requirements.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, maintenance trackers, and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), where applicable.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to coordinate effectively with Operations, Projects, Purchase, and Management.
• Willingness to travel frequently between outlets in Chennai and Bangalore.

Key Performance Expectations

• Minimum 95% compliance with scheduled preventive maintenance, subject to Management-approved targets.
• Timely closure of maintenance complaints within defined service-level timelines.
• Reduction in recurring breakdowns and equipment downtime.
• Effective control of maintenance expenditure within approved budgets.
• Consistent maintenance standards and safety compliance across Chennai and Bangalore outlets.