Praveen Menezes

I am a senior management executive with more than 30 years of diverse international experience spanning Organarry Pvt Ltd, Sodexo On-site services, Ziqitza Healthcare, Radhakrishna Hospitality Services and P&O Cruises UK LTD (Carnival group). I am a results oriented, decisive leader with proven success in increasing sales and growing bottom line while driving business transformation and operational improvements in a dynamic and demanding business environment. I have led and motivated teams of up to 7000 employees generating $35 million revenues.

My areas of expertise include P&L Management, Strategy, Operations, Business Development, Program Management, Change Management, and Business Transformation.

Director at Organarry Pvt Ltd : December 2020 to present. 

• Organarry is a marketing & sales company which focuses on Health foods, Food supplements & Organic products to promote healthy food choices. 
• Products marketed include biscuits (Cookies), Sweets, snacks & vegan products. 
• We believe food innovation will be the next big thing in the food industry. 
• Healthy eating habits coupled with food having right nutrition is the key to mitigate the risks of lifestyle disease. 
• Organarry has exclusive tie-ups with organizations focusing on health products governed under FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India)

Vice President at Sodexo On-Site Services: September 2018 - November 2020. 

Key Deliverable

• Managing the Urban food (Retail business) in India with 8 region heads & 2600 employees.
• Responsible for the Retail P&L and new food business in India. Revenue of 220 Crores or 27.5 million Euros 
• Implemented the Digital & New food solutions in corporate café’s (Self-managed & aggregation) 
• Collaborating with Marketing & Food SME to build new inhouse brand and innovation. 
• Ensuring:
  • Financial reviews to measure performance
  • Health & Safety – Food safety processes and compliances are adhered to (regional & global level)
  • Business continuity plans in place 
• All projects and sites operations are planned & executed in an efficient manner.
• Alignment with the clients on their framework of Diversity & Inclusion initiatives.

Highlights

• Creation of model food sites which brings in efficiency and employee satisfaction.
• Smart kitchen – Energy & safety compliant 
• Introduced new food solutions of smart vending and market place solutions 
• Supported the clients to revitalize the café’s Design & white space management
• Focus on health & wellness programs. 
• Working with partners to build in a fitness solution. 

Associate Vice President at Sodexo On- Site Sevices : September 2014 - 2018.

Key Deliverables

• Leading the Offshore & Marine Business in India, South East Asia & Middle East managing a team of 500+ 
• Responsible for the Offshore & Marine P&L in India.
• Recruitment of senior members of the core team. 
• Performance Management and improvement of systems. Oversee smooth delivery of customer services.
• Planning and managing of various programs within the Energy & Resources segment.
• Cost Management. Ensuring costs are aligned to their budget. Monitor and manage expenditure.

Highlights

• Menu engineering & vendor development to get efficiency in operations
• Complete implementation of Offshore Life (Standardized Model) at all Offshore sites
•  Initiated the Healthy eating / Healthy living workshops for client’s corporate offices
• Collaborative approach in preparing the segment country budget
• Cost reduction initiatives to drive efficiency

General Manager Sales at Ziqitza Healthcare : April 2012 - September 2014

Key Deliverables

• Administer all aspects of Sales function in compliance with goals, policies and objectives established for the organization.
• Framing the company’s business strategy and expansion plan of the private Ambulance network.
• Strategic support to Business Plan Review/ implementation.
• Explore New Business opportunities and Business expansion plans.

Highlights

• Expansion of the business vertical across various states in India 
• Ensuring quality and audit of pre-hospital care 
• Responsible for the corporate policies and standards of the pre-hospital care.
• Client satisfaction and retention. 
• Improvement of customer satisfaction. Preferred service provider. 

Deputy General Manager - Operations at Ziqitza Healthcare : January 2011 - March 2012

Key Deliverables

• Prepare medium-term plan & annual budgets consistent with agreed strategies.
• Maintain an organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish the organization's goals and objectives.
• Reports and financial statements to determine progress. Attain objectives and plans in accordance with current conditions. 
• Business review with team to ensure smooth operations & standardized delivery 

Highlights

• Continuous improvement of systems and process.
• Received the coveted Business continuity award on behalf of the company.
• Involved in various marketing activities and press conferences to popularize the service.
• Recruited and trained Regional Sales Managers Pan India.
• Initiated Cost reduction initiatives to improve efficiency in operations.

Snr Manager Radhakrishna Hospitality Services (Now Sodexo) : March 2007 - December 2010

Key Deliverables

• Western Region head for Offshore & Remote site Hospitality Operations. 
• Managing a team of 300+ 
• Responsible for the P&L of the Region.
• Manage operations in respect of food & beverage as well as administration in the western region
• HSE Management
• Organization, Development & Staff Welfare
• Service delivery to exceed expectation

Deputy F&B Manager at P&O Cruises (Carnival Group) March 1996 - January 2007

Key Deliverables

• Functioning as over all in-charge of Food & Beverage operations onboard Oceana & Artemis (P&0 Carnival Cruise Ships in United Kingdom
• Responsible “Designated person” onboard to coordinate Safety, Hygiene & Sanitation.
• Coordinating the daily menu with the Executive Chef
• Responsible for the daily food cost of the various food & beverage outlets onboard the cruise ship.
• Coordinating the various documents as part of statutory requirement.
• Conducting hygiene audit onboard and at various hotels worldwide (As part of Shore excursion requirement) 

Highlights

• Part of the core team which set up the Cruise ship MV. Oceana at the Bahamas in 2002, MV Adonia at the Bahamas in 2003 at & MV Arcadia at Venice in 2005. Setup of signature restaurants onboard.
• Coordinated the logistics & supply chain at UK, USA & Italy for the setup of the above vessels
• Liaised with suppliers all over the world for provisions & supplies.
• Involved in budget preparations.
• New F&B initiatives to generate revenue. 
• Training crew in Basic & Intermediate food hygiene.

Catering Supervisor at Larsen & Toubro Pvt Ltd : May 1992 - March 1996

Key Deliverables

• Ordering & Procurement of Stores for the catering department
• Training & Manpower development 
• Expenditure & Budgets 
• Daily food service Administration & Communication
• Adhering to company hygiene policy

Highlights

• Actively involved with the Galley / Mess room upgrade
• Recommended the move from Chaffing dishes to Electric Bain-marie
• Setup the stock rotation & par stock policy

ACADEMICS 

• Master’s in Business Administration from NMIMS, Mumbai, 2010
• Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology & Commerce, Mumbai University, 1993
• Hotel Management Graduate, Dadar Catering college affiliated to PUSA in 1992

TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL COURSES UNDERTAKEN

• Proficiency in Survival Craft & Rescue Boats' [PSC&RB] from Warsash, United Kingdom.
• Advanced Food Hygiene from Chartered Institute of Environment Health, Bath United Kingdom.
• Group Training Techniques & Craft Trainers Award from Stonebow Training & Consultancy Management Development, Southampton, United Kingdom.
• National Vocational Qualification NVQ Level 3. Southampton City College. United Kingdom

Familiarization 'Training in Pedestrian Operated Fork Truck' Epsiloc EP-20 from Southampton Cargo Handling PLC, U.K.,