Chief Financial Officer

# Chief Financial Officer (CFO) ## Company Overview Balaji Caterers is one of Mumbai's most established names in large-scale catering and branded food & beverage operations, with a business spanning institutional catering, high-volume food service, and multiple owned restaurant/F&B brands (including Andhra Bhojanam and Mint & Mirchi). ## Job Summary The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will take complete ownership of the finance function within Balaji Caterers and serve as a strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This role requires a finance professional with extensive experience in volume-driven, multi-format food businesses, who is comfortable working closely with operations and is not limited to just reporting activities. ## Responsibilities - Own end-to-end financial strategy, planning, and controllership for the organisation. - Drive Profit and Loss (P&L) management across business verticals, including core catering operations and owned restaurant/F&B brands. - Lead budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis to support effective business decision-making. - Oversee working capital management, cash flow planning, and treasury operations, given the high-volume, low-margin nature of the business. - Manage food cost tracking, inventory accounting, and implement cost control frameworks across kitchens, outlets, and central procurement. - Strengthen vendor and bulk procurement finance processes to ensure cost efficiency at scale. - Build and monitor outlet-level and unit-level P&Ls across restaurant brands and catering contracts. - Ensure robust Management Information System (MIS) reporting, monthly closing, and timely management reporting to leadership. - Lead statutory compliance, audits (internal, statutory, and cost audits), and regulatory filings. - Partner with the CEO on capital allocation, business expansion planning, and investment decisions. - Build, mentor, and lead a finance team capable of supporting the organisation’s scale and growth. - Drive continuous improvement and digitisation of finance processes and systems. ## Qualifications - **Education**: Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) — mandatory. - **Experience**: 10–14 years of post-qualification experience, with significant time in a senior finance leadership role (Controller, Assistant Vice President Finance, Vice President Finance, or CFO). - Proven background in large-scale catering, Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chains, hotel banquets, airport food and beverage (F&B), railway catering, food courts, industrial canteens, or similarly high-volume food service/F&B businesses. - Hands-on exposure to food cost management, inventory control, and bulk procurement finance is strongly preferred. - Demonstrated experience managing outlet-level or unit-level P&L in a multi-location or multi-brand environment. - Strong command over financial controllership, statutory compliance, audits, and MIS reporting. - Proven ability to manage working capital and cash flow in a high-volume, operationally intensive business. - Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to partner directly with the CEO and senior leadership. ## Preferred Skills - Comfortable operating in a hands-on, fast-paced, and operationally close environment. - Previous experience in operationally intensive finance roles within the food sector. ## Experience 10–14 years of post-qualification experience, especially in senior finance leadership roles within the food service or related industries. ## Environment This role is based in Mumbai and involves close collaboration with operational functions, necessitating a hands-on approach rather than a purely back-office focus. ## Salary Up to ₹50 Lakhs Per Annum (LPA) Fixed. ## Growth Opportunities Potential for career advancement within the finance function and the wider organisational structure, particularly as Balaji Caterers continues to grow and expand its operations. ## Benefits - Comprehensive benefits package details not provided, but may include health insurance, paid leave, and other standard offerings in line with industry practices.