Senior Manager – Standards & Specification

Job Title: Senior Manager Standards & Specification

Department: Culinary Shared Services

Reports to: VP Culinary Shared Services

We're looking for a dynamic and strategic leader to take charge of end-to-end culinary data governance, forecasting, and production planning. In this role, you'll be at the heart of operations, connecting systems, people, and processes to deliver precision, consistency, and efficiency across the supply chain. From item codes to airline menu execution, your expertise will shape how Emirates Flight Catering provides excellence every day. This role plays a key part in achieving operational excellence through smart data governance and agile planning. Operating in a high-paced, complex environment, you'll lead strategic initiatives that directly impact EKFC's efficiency, compliance, and customer satisfaction. With growing demand and the evolving needs of our airline partners, this role requires a forward-thinking leader who thrives in complexity and drives meaningful change.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Own Master Data Governance: Lead the integration and consistency of item codes, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and airline specifications across platforms, ensuring seamless system-wide alignment.
2. Lead Forecasting & Demand Planning: Drive accurate EMC (Estimated Material Consumption) forecasts to align production with airline schedules, menu rotations, and special events, enabling smooth and proactive operations.
3. Optimize Production & MRP: Streamline production and material resource planning to ensure timely work order execution and efficient resource utilization across operations.
4. Oversee Procurement & Inventory: Manage procurement workflows and inventory control ensuring accurate order generation, dispatch, shipment, and stock optimization in line with production needs.
5. Manage Airline Menu Processes: Oversee end-to-end airline menu lifecycle from creation and updates to compliance checks, supporting high-impact presentations and photoshoots with precision.
6. Enhance Data Integration: Improve system-wide master data accuracy and integration to fuel data-driven decision-making and elevate operational performance.
7. Drive Strategic Collaboration: Partner with cross-functional teams, Production, Procurement, Costing, Pricing, and Catering Operations to create a streamlined and responsive supply chain ecosystem.
8. Lead Cost & Waste Optimization: Analyse material wastage trends, introduce cost-effective measures, and lead initiatives that minimize loss while improving operational planning.
9. Ensure Food Safety Compliance: Oversee the timely and accurate processing of HACCP documentation, ensuring all production and planning activities meet stringent regulatory and food safety standards.
10. Champion Continuous Improvement: Track performance, refine strategies, and implement improvements in forecasting, procurement, and planning to align with evolving business needs.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in IT, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.

Experience:

At least 8 years in supply chain planning, demand forecasting, or culinary data management, preferably within the aviation or catering industry. Proven leadership experience in operational optimization, data governance, and cross-functional collaboration.

Skills:

1. Strong command of forecasting models, demand planning, and supply chain optimization.
2. Advanced knowledge of ERP systems (JDE, SAP), CAT360, PAXIA, and large-scale data integration strategies.
3. Deep understanding of menu lifecycle management, BOMs, and standardization processes.
4. Confident team leader with strong collaboration, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
5. Analytical mindset with problem-solving and risk assessment capabilities.
6. Commitment to food safety, compliance, and data accuracy across all touchpoints.
7. KPI-driven approach to performance management and continuous improvement.