Operations Manager

Job Title: Operations & Compliance Manager – Cloud Kitchen & QSR

Location: Middle East (UAE / KSA / GCC)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Department: Operations & Expansion

We are looking for a high-caliber Operations & Compliance Manager to lead the administrative, regulatory, and operational backbone of our expanding QSR and Cloud Kitchen network across the Middle East.

This role will oversee regulatory approvals, location scouting, rental negotiations, supply chain setup, vendor qualification, and central kitchen coordination. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in a fast-paced scale-up environment, understands F&B regulatory frameworks in the region, and has hands-on experience building operational systems from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

1. Regulatory Compliance, Licensing & Liason

2. Manage end-to-end compliance across all locations (Dubai Municipality, FTA, Food Safety, Civil Defense, DED, Trade License, and GCC equivalents).

3. Ensure timely approvals for all kitchens (QSR & cloud): Food License, Kitchen Approvals, Health & Safety, HACCP, Fire Safety Certificates, and Environmental Permits.
4. Maintain updated compliance calendars and proactively renew leases, licenses, permits, and insurance.
5. Liaise with consultants, government portals, free zones, and regulatory bodies to expedite approvals.

6. Look at all statutory compliances for opening a cloud kitchen/ QSR/Central kitchen in Middle East market

7. Location Scouting & Rental Agreement Management

8. Identify, evaluate, and shortlist potential locations for cloud kitchens, QSR storefronts, and central kitchens.

9. Conduct location validation assessments, including footfall, delivery-radius analytics, access, zoning laws, and operational viability.
10. Negotiate rental contracts, renewals, exit clauses, and manage legal documentation with landlords.

11. Assess flexible kitchen options (shared kitchens, franchised kitchens, 3P commissaries) and evaluate viability and cost impact.

12. Central Kitchen & Operations Integration

13. Support planning, setup, and operational structuring of central kitchens (ERP, workflows, hygiene, equipment planning).

14. Coordinate with culinary and production teams to ensure seamless, standardized operations across multiple kitchens.

15. Implement SOPs for prep, dispatch, receiving, stock rotation, waste control, hygiene, and food safety.

16. Supply Chain Management & Vendor Development

17. Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers for proteins (meat, poultry, seafood), vegetables, sauces, spices, condiments, and dry goods.

18. Build relationships with certified suppliers in UAE/GCC for reliable, cost-efficient sourcing.
19. Validate vendors through quality checks, facility visits, documentation audits, and compliance verification (HACCP, ISO, Halal).
20. Oversee contract manufacturing partners and outsourced supply chain models when necessary.

21. Develop transportation and last-mile logistics plans for raw material distribution and finished product dispatch.

22. Company Operations & Expansion Support

23. Manage the full lifecycle of opening new outlets—from regulatory filing to physical setup and operational go-live.

24. Coordinate between kitchen teams, procurement, finance, HR, and management to ensure smooth pre-opening and post-opening operations.
25. Ensure every site meets brand, safety, cost, and quality standards before launch.

26. Track operational KPIs such as COGS, wastage, supplier performance, logistics reliability, and on-time store opening.

27. Continuous Improvement & Operational Governance

28. Build operational dashboards and documentation for traceability and compliance.

29. Identify bottlenecks in supply chain, regulatory workflows, or operations and implement corrective action.
30. Maintain strong cross-functional collaboration with Finance, HR, Culinary, and Marketing.
31. Ensure kitchens operate at optimum efficiency with minimum waste and maximum consistency.

Qualifications & Experience

• 8–10+ years of experience in F&B operations, preferably in QSR, cloud kitchens, or FMCG supply chain in the Middle East.
• Strong understanding of UAE/GCC regulatory frameworks (Municipalities, FTA, Food Safety, Trade License, HACCP).
• Experience in location selection, rental negotiations, and pre-opening operations.
• Knowledge of central kitchen operations, cold chain logistics, procurement processes, and vendor qualification.
• Strong negotiation and documentation skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Valid UAE/GCC driving license preferred.

Key Competencies

• Regulatory Compliance & Documentation
• Vendor Assessment & Procurement
• Supply Chain & Logistics Planning
• Location Scouting & Commercial Evaluation
• Negotiation & Contract Management
• Project Management & Pre-Opening Execution
• Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement
• Strong communication & interpersonal skills