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.