SEA Operations Director ( Food )

Position Title: Director of Operations - Southeast Asia

Country to be based: Singapore

Reports to: Regional Account Director Purpose

The position is responsible for the mobilisation; operation and growth of Sodexo's operations in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam with a focus on offer development, quality assurance and the development of strong management capability. This role reports to the Regional Account Director for the Sodexo at Client business.

Key responsibilities:

Within this role you will report directly to APAC Regional Account Director and work with Sodexo country teams and along with regional account team dedicated to this client, your key responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

General Actively lead and drive all elements of operations and act as single point of contact for operations Develop and drive governance at all level - Regional, Country and with account team Develop long term strategy of key deliverables Develop vision, objectives and long term strategy to drive business to the next level Manage the contract and ensure its performance and compliance

Key Objectives

Client & Stakeholder Management Maintain strong client relationships as the primary contact for all operational matters, ensuring smooth communication with end-users and effective implementation of the client's business model. Lead governance reviews and client meetings (weekly, monthly, quarterly) to ensure consistent engagement, service excellence, and swift resolution of concerns. Collaborate with Food Program Managers (FPMs) and client representatives to drive satisfaction and improvements. Align with the Country Operations Team to support growth and ensure efficient resource allocation and operational performance across new and existing sites. Work closely with Sodexo teams and Site Managers to manage budgets, track performance, and execute strategies efficiently. Drive initiatives with country SPOCs and account teams to meet targets and manage transitions. Implement feedback mechanisms to capture client needs, enhance performance, and drive continuous improvement. Manage site succession, talent, and performance, reporting to country and regional leadership as required. Oversee and integrate diverse SME functions like HR, Marketing, Procurement, and HSE within the account and regional teams.

Financial & Commercial Focus Deliver Financials and operational expectations- Forecast, budget planning , meeting gross profit target, legal, HS&E results and contractual KPIs, Strong financial acumen is essential for managing budgets, forecasting, and achieving profit targets. Drive financial performance, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and achieving contractual KPIs. Lead client MMR calls with ability to adapt any change management Develop commercial strategies to support the growth of the account. Ensure operational processes are followed, supporting the achievement of commercial objectives and contributing to client satisfaction and the broader commercial strategy.

Risk Management & Governance: Develop, implement, and lead a comprehensive risk management strategy to identify, assess, and mitigate operational, financial, and reputational risks. Ensure compliance with contractual KPIs, legal requirements, and HS&E (Health, Safety & Environment) regulations. Actively drive governance across regional, country, and account team levels, focusing on clear communication, consistent performance tracking, and issue resolution. Collaborate with site managers to develop contingency plans for risk scenarios and manage critical transitions smoothly.

Operations & Strategic Growth: Lead all elements of operations, ensuring efficient resource allocation, seamless transitions, and adherence to operational standards. Manage the contract's performance, ensuring financial, operational, and legal compliance. Work with the country operations team to align on processes and business strategy, supporting growth across current and new sites. Actively lead initiatives to expand services and identify new business opportunities in line with growth plans.

Financial & Performance Management: Deliver financial expectations, including forecasting, budgeting, and meeting gross profit targets. Ensure proper allocation of resources and performance management across sites, in collaboration with the Sodexo country teams and site managers. Report on performance metrics to country leadership and regional management, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

Agility & Efficiency: Foster an agile operational environment, enabling quick decision-making and the ability to pivot in response to changing client needs or market conditions. Streamline processes to enhance efficiency across all sites, ensuring seamless service delivery while optimizing resource utilization. Strong acumen in data and projection of trends Implement continuous improvement initiatives that focus on reducing operational bottlenecks and increasing responsiveness to client and business demands.

Profile:

Client-Centric: Strong client relationship management skills with a focus on ensuring satisfaction and addressing concerns promptly. Risk-Aware: Experience in risk management, with a strong understanding of how to mitigate operational, financial, and reputational risks. Operational Expertise: Extensive experience in food services, preferably in managing large international accounts. Proven ability to develop new service business opportunities across the country Cultural Sensitivity: Culturally astute with strong emotional intelligence, able to navigate diverse environments effectively. Demonstrable track record of account management experience. Focused on continuous learning, humility, and personal development Leadership: Proven ability to inspire and lead virtual and diverse teams, managing senior operators and large numbers of employees. Capable of driving and managing change Strategic Thinker: Capable of developing and executing long-term strategies that drive business growth. Solid transition experience Communication Skills: Excellent communication, influencing, negotiation, and facilitation skills. Financial Acumen: Proven financial and commercial expertise, able to make proactive, innovative decisions to drive profitability. Adaptable: Strong time management skills to work across various time zones and manage regional collaborations. Education: Degree preferred in Food Services, Hospitality, or a related field. Experience: 10+ years of successful senior operational and management experience exposure Travel: Job requires frequent travel across the sites and cities of the country and scaled operations