Dear Friends.... (Chum, Dada, Ash et al)
I read these postings today itself and found myself in the thick of action. Very very active posts. If you all dont mind; let me put forth my viewpoints :
* CANTEENS (as provided for in Factories Act) is undoubtedly, an HR function. it is clubbed with either IR or Employee Services function.
* A big PSU where I had worked earlier had 54 factories registered within the Plant area and consequently, same number of Canteens.
* There was a full fledged Canteen Deptt. headed by a Senior Manager; under IR;
* There was an Apex Co-operative Society (company sponsored) with a number of member Co-operative societies, for supplying items to the Canteen - having annual turnover of 22 Cr. (Just imagine the magnitude of operation.) This organization was headed by a DY. G. M.
* Ever been to an Indian Army canteen ? Then you must be aware of its multi-disciplinary activities. The army men can get not only ration and household item but also gadgets and motor vehicles!
* These days many companies (esp. in Bangalore, Gurgaon etc. in the IT companies) are having small shops inside the campus which stocks daily needs items, so that their employees dont waste time outside.
* So you can always raise the bar for quality of service leading to employee satisfaction/delight/engagement.
Therefore, dear Chum, although I guess yours is a smaller organization, still don't under-estimate or under-respect the task at hand. In any case, I dont think you have any idea about the task itself, right? You are not being asked to cook or serve food :-D
Your task would be basically:
* PROCUREMENT (of materials at fair competitive prices);
* to look after OPERATION (to ensure adherence to hygienic standards, economy of operation, reduction of wastages, Manning -cooking & serving; Timings & Schedules etc),
* QUALITY (of food & drinks - hot/cold)
* Informally monitor Organisation Climate/ IR - workers don't have closed door cabins and canteen is the place from where trouble starts; it is also a source of 'grapevine'
* Another suggestion is - don't ask for an assistant at the outset - it will undermine your capabilities as a capable, resurceful manager.
* Finally please remember, as an HR person one can not flatly refuse to attend to certain components of HR like Canteen services - one can't be a cherry-picker.
* In lighter vein : there are many other perks as well - you can have tea, coffee, cold drinks, snacks etc. - as many times as you want, ABSOLUTELY FREE, without anyone objecting to it. After all you'll have to TASTE food to ensure quality. :razz:
Wishing you success in your additional DELIGHTFUL assignment. :)