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