Head of IT

Job Description: Head of IT
Department: Information Technology
Location: Corporate Office, Chennai, with travel to restaurant outlets as required
Industry: Food & Beverage / Hospitality / Restaurant Chain
Experience: 8–12 years, including 3–5 years in a leadership role
Reports To: CEO / COO / General Management
1. Job Purpose
The Head of IT will lead and manage the company's IT operations across the corporate office and restaurant outlets. The role covers IT infrastructure, POS and billing systems, enterprise applications, cybersecurity, networking, data protection, vendor management, budgeting, and technology implementation.
The objective is to ensure reliable restaurant operations, accurate business reporting, cost efficiency, data security, and technology readiness for business expansion.
2. Key Responsibilities
A. IT Strategy & Leadership
Develop IT strategies, policies, budgets, and technology roadmaps aligned with business goals.
Lead the IT team and monitor service quality and performance.
Plan technology infrastructure for new outlet openings and business expansion.
Drive automation, digital transformation, and cost optimization.
B. Restaurant IT & POS Operations
Manage POS, billing, kitchen order systems, payment gateways, and delivery platform integrations such as Swiggy and Zomato.
Ensure accurate sales, inventory, tax, settlement, and outlet performance data.
Maintain reliable internet connectivity and minimize outlet downtime.
Standardize IT equipment, systems, and deployment across outlets.
Establish contingency plans for system failures and connectivity issues.
C. IT Infrastructure & Support
Manage computers, servers, networks, Wi-Fi, cloud services, printers, and endpoint security.
Oversee IT helpdesk operations, troubleshooting, and incident resolution.
Manage IT assets, software licenses, employee access, onboarding, and offboarding.
Maintain IT documentation and preventive maintenance schedules.
D. Business Applications & Integration
Manage ERP, accounting, inventory, procurement, HRMS, payroll, CRM, and reporting systems.
Ensure integration between POS, finance, inventory, delivery platforms, and other applications.
Develop dashboards and reports to support management decisions.
Coordinate with departments and vendors for upgrades, implementation, and training.
E. Cybersecurity & Business Continuity
Implement security policies, access controls, MFA, endpoint protection, and vulnerability management.
Protect business, financial, employee, and customer data.
Monitor backups and conduct periodic recovery and disaster recovery tests.
Ensure compliance with applicable data protection and software licensing requirements.
F. Vendor & Budget Management
Evaluate vendors, negotiate contracts, and manage SLAs and renewals.
Control IT expenditure and optimize software licenses and recurring costs.
Maintain vendor records and IT asset replacement plans.
G. Service Delivery & Stakeholder Management
Establish IT service standards, escalation procedures, and response timelines.
Coordinate with Operations, Finance, HR, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Marketing.
Train employees and restaurant teams on IT systems and applications.
Report IT performance, risks, projects, budgets, and improvements to management.
3. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Performance will be measured against agreed targets for:
IT infrastructure and POS uptime.
Helpdesk response and issue resolution.
Business application availability and data accuracy.
Cybersecurity, access controls, and backup recovery.
IT budget adherence and cost savings.
Vendor performance and SLA compliance.
IT asset and software license management.
Timely project delivery and new outlet readiness.
Business continuity and management reporting.
4. Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science, Computer Applications, Engineering, or a related field.
8–12 years of IT experience, including 3–5 years in a leadership role.
Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, networking, cloud services, cybersecurity, and enterprise applications.
Experience in POS, restaurant systems, ERP, inventory, finance, and business integrations.
Proven experience in IT budgeting, vendor management, project delivery, and team leadership.
Experience in restaurants, hospitality, retail, or multi-location businesses is preferred.
Relevant IT, cloud, cybersecurity, or project management certifications are an advantage.
5. Essential Skills
Leadership and team management.
Technical expertise and problem-solving.
Business understanding and strategic planning.
Budget control and vendor negotiation.
Project management and communication.
Ownership, accountability, and adaptability.
6. Reporting Structure
Reports to: CEO / COO / General Management.
Team: IT Infrastructure, Applications, Helpdesk, Outlet IT Support, and external vendors.
Internal coordination: Operations, Finance, HR, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Marketing.
Work nature: Corporate office-based with regular restaurant outlet visits across the locations.
7. First 90-Day Deliverables
First 30 Days – Assessment
Assess IT infrastructure, POS, applications, cybersecurity, assets, vendors, and costs.
Visit outlets and identify operational issues and technology risks.
Submit an IT assessment report with priorities and recommendations.
Days 31–60 – Planning
Prepare an IT improvement roadmap, budget, and cost optimization plan.
Standardize IT support, security, assets, vendor SLAs, and outlet technology.
Review backups, access controls, and system integrations.
Days 61–90 – Implementation
Implement approved priority improvements.
Establish dashboards for uptime, incidents, security, vendor performance, and costs.
Submit a 90-day performance report and long-term technology roadmap.
Performance will be reviewed by management based on agreed deliverables, operational improvements, accountability, and business requirements.
8. Overall Success Expectation
Build and maintain a secure, reliable, cost-effective, and scalable IT environment that ensures uninterrupted restaurant operations, accurate reporting, efficient business processes, strong cybersecurity, and readiness for future expansion.

Work arrangement
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