Sanjay Painuly

Dynamic and results-oriented hospitality leader with over 25 years of diverse experience in India and abroad. Expertise includes managing all pre-opening activities for new hospitality projects, such as kitchen layout planning, equipment procurement, operational expenditure forecasting, and MEP coordination. Serving as the project lead among owners, consultants, contractors, and future operations teams ensures timely and budget-conscious project launches. A proven track record of contributing to the success of prestigious properties, including Jio World Centre – Mumbai, Westin Mumbai, and St. Regis – Maldives, underscores a commitment to excellence in the hospitality industry.

• Key Responsibilities:
• Project Coordination & Pre-Opening Planning
• Lead all pre-opening activities from construction handover to soft opening.
• Collaborate with design consultants and architects on restaurant floor plans, BOH/FOH layout, and kitchen workflow optimization.
• Coordinate with MEP consultants to validate service provisions for kitchen equipment and operational requirements.
• Strong understanding of BOH/FOH operations, kitchen design, and restaurant workflows.
• Experience in reviewing MEP layouts and coordinating with technical consultants.
• Proven experience in procurement of kitchen equipment and managing fit-outs.
• Excellent project management, budgeting, and vendor negotiation skills.
• High-level knowledge of health, fire, and safety codes and compliance procedures.
• Kitchen & Equipment Procurement
• Finalize BOH (Back of House) layout based on menu, workflow, and food safety standards.
• Develop kitchen equipment list (cooking, refrigeration, ware washing, prep, storage).
• Source and procure equipment with cost-efficiency, reliability, and brand standards in mind.
• Coordinate delivery, installation, testing, and commissioning of all equipment.
• Operational Expenditure (OPEX) & Budgeting
• Develop and manage OPEX budgets (utilities, small wares, chemicals, disposables, uniforms, etc.).
• Forecast labor costs, vendor contracts, and service agreements in coordination with finance.
• Identify and negotiate service providers for waste management, pest control, linen, IT/POS support, etc.
• . Vendor & Contractor Liaison
• Coordinate with general contractors, kitchen consultants, and MEP engineers to ensure timelines are met.
• Review and approve shop drawings, equipment utility requirements, and site readiness.
• Resolve project delays and coordinate handover readiness with cross-functional teams.
• Handover & Operational Launch
• Ensure compliance with local authority inspections (fire, health, food safety).
• Conduct snagging, testing, and trial runs before soft opening.