Head of Nutrition and Food Services

• Head of NFSD (Nutrition & Food Services Division)
• Department: Nutrition and Food Services
• Entity: Aga Khan University Hospital
• Location: Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction:

The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) is a not-for-profit health system with a quaternary care hospital in Karachi, and a nationwide presence through four Off-Campus Hospitals, 19 Medical Centres, more than 50 Pharmacies, and over 300 Laboratory sites across Pakistan. Extending care beyond hospital walls, AKUH also provides Home Healthcare Services. To ensure access for all, the Health System offers zakat and patient welfare support to those in financial need—benefiting 1.5 million patients in 2024 alone, with financial aid worth PKR 7.19 billion.

Renowned for its commitment to quality and patient safety, AKUH is accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) as an Academic Medical Centre—one of the highest global standards in healthcare. Its Clinical Laboratories are accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), further affirming the accuracy and reliability of its testing services, while all four Off-Campus Hospitals are certified at SafeCare Level 5.

The Nutrition and Food Services Department (NFSD) of AKUH offers a range of products and services to students, faculty, staff, as well as patients and their attendants, providing approximately 13,000 – 15,000 meals in a day. It comprises a team of experienced clinical nutritionists, dietitians and food service professionals. Services are provided through six sections: clinical nutrition, patient meal services, cafeteria & catering services, food production, food safety management and cost control.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

Responsibilities:

As Head of the NFSD, you will play a pivotal role in driving results and overseeing all aspects of administration, financial operations, and patient care across AKU's on-campus and outreach food service units, including hospitals and outreach centers. You will provide strategic leadership, ensuring compliance with ISO 22000:2018 quality management system and JCIA standards.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

• Develop annual plans and budgets encompassing workforce, capital, staffing, and operational needs, aligning with departmental strategic goals in both food and non-food areas.
• Lead and direct the overall operations of multiple facilities in accordance with customer needs, government regulations and University policies, with focus on providing and maintaining quality customer services.
• Coordinate JCIA accreditations and oversee external and internal audits.
• Ensure nutritious, safe and quality production of food and timely delivery at the assigned units while maintaining safety of all food production equipment.
• Enhance staff competency level by taking various steps at the departmental level and ensuring that they are meeting the changing needs of the organization.
• Review of customers’ feedback and coordination with the teams concerned to meet customer expectations.
• Manage official catering as well as the banquet needs of the institution.
• Establish and monitor performance standards among the department and ensure that quality standards are being consistently met.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary training, service, research and committee projects as well as providing support to hospital-based patient-focused clinical nutrition research programs.
• Establish, maintaining and updating related policies and procedures necessary for effective and efficient systems.
• Monitor department asset acquisition, transfer and disposal activities.
• Undertake special projects, studies of specific problems and special investigations.

Requirements:

You Should Have:

• Master’s degree in Hotel Management, Hospitality or other relevant disciplines, preferably having professional certification like HCIMA or other relevant certifications from recognized institutes
• at least ten years of experience in senior roles of nutrition and food services departments of large organizations, preferably in healthcare and hospitality industries (international exposure will be an advantage)
• Sound knowledge of Food Safety Management System and related standards
• Good command of dietetics and familiarity with food and labour laws
• Ability to effectively respond to changing demands
• Excellent command over commonly used computer applications, particularly the Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent interpersonal skills, particularly communication skills
• High motivation levels, with an ability to influence others, relevant data gathering and making sound decisions on the basis of available data
• Ability to manage large teams in an effective manner
• Excellent leadership and navigation skills, and knowledge of financial planning and management.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.