Cafe Manager

WE ARE HIRING – CAFÉ MANAGER Location : Abu Dhabi, UAE Industry : Specialty Coffee / Café Operations Employment Type : Full-Time AKME Group is looking for an experienced, commercially driven, and operationally strong Café Manager to manage one of our café outlets in Abu Dhabi. The successful candidate will be responsible for overall outlet performance, including daily operations, team leadership, customer experience, sales performance, cost control, inventory, compliance, and coordination with support departments. Role Purpose The Café Manager is responsible for the complete day-to-day management of the outlet, ensuring operational efficiency, consistent product and service quality, effective team performance, strong cost control, and achievement of business objectives. The role requires hands-on leadership, commercial awareness, strong customer service standards, and close coordination with HR, Finance, Procurement, Coffee, Kitchen, and Senior Management.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Outlet Operations
• Manage the complete day-to-day operations of the café.
• Ensure smooth opening, service, shift handover, and closing procedures.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organization, presentation, and operational readiness.
• Ensure all operational procedures and company standards are consistently followed.
• Conduct daily outlet inspections and take corrective action where required. Team Management
• Lead, supervise, coach, and motivate the café team.
• Ensure appropriate staff deployment according to business requirements.
• Monitor staff attendance, punctuality, grooming, discipline, productivity, and performance.
• Conduct daily briefings and communicate operational priorities clearly.
• Identify training needs and coordinate with the relevant departments.
• Maintain a professional, accountable, and performance-focused working environment. Sales & Business Performance
• Monitor daily, weekly, and monthly sales performance.
• Support the achievement of revenue and operational targets.
• Identify opportunities to increase sales, average customer spend, upselling, and repeat business.
• Monitor customer traffic, peak hours, product performance, and operational trends.
• Support promotions, campaigns, product launches, and commercial initiatives. Cost Control & Inventory
• Monitor food and beverage costs, wastage, stock levels, and operating expenses.
• Ensure accurate stock receiving, storage, issuing, and inventory control.
• Implement FIFO and proper stock rotation procedures.
• Conduct or supervise regular inventory counts.
• Investigate stock variances, wastage, and unusual consumption.
• Coordinate purchasing requirements based on stock availability, usage, and sales forecasts. Customer Experience
• Ensure consistently high standards of customer service.
• Maintain professional and welcoming guest interaction across the outlet.
• Handle complaints, service recovery, and customer concerns promptly and professionally.
• Monitor customer feedback and implement improvements where necessary.
• Ensure service standards remain consistent during peak operating periods. Product & Quality Standards
• Ensure consistency in coffee, beverages, food, presentation, portioning, and service.
• Coordinate with the Coffee and Kitchen teams to maintain product quality.
• Ensure approved recipes, preparation procedures, and presentation standards are followed.
• Immediately address any quality issue that may affect customer experience or brand reputation. Compliance & Food Safety
• Ensure compliance with company SOPs and operational policies.
• Maintain hygiene, food safety, and sanitation standards.
• Ensure compliance with applicable UAE authority requirements.
• Monitor staff compliance with food handling, storage, temperature control, cleaning, and safety requirements.
• Maintain required outlet records, checklists, and operational documentation. Reporting & Coordination
• Prepare and submit operational reports as required by Management.
• Report sales, stock, wastage, staffing, maintenance, customer complaints, and operational concerns accurately.
• Coordinate closely with HR, Finance, Procurement, Coffee Department, Kitchen, Marketing, and Management.
• Escalate significant operational, staffing, maintenance, or customer-related issues promptly. Asset & Facility Management
• Ensure company equipment, machinery, furniture, and assets are properly maintained.
• Report maintenance requirements promptly and follow up until completion.
• Ensure staff handle company property responsibly.
• Maintain overall outlet condition according to company standards. CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
• Minimum 3–5 years of UAE experience within café, specialty coffee, restaurant, or premium F&B operations.
• Previous experience as a Café Manager, Outlet Manager, Restaurant Manager, or similar managerial position is required.
• Strong understanding of café operations, customer service, team management, inventory, cost control, and sales performance.
• Specialty coffee industry experience is highly preferred.
• Strong leadership and people-management capability.
• Excellent communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Good commercial awareness and ability to understand sales, costs, wastage, and profitability.
• Ability to manage multicultural teams in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Good knowledge of POS systems, inventory systems, operational reporting, and Microsoft Office.
• Strong attention to detail and accountability.
• Candidates must currently be available in the UAE.
• Willingness to attend an interview and operational assessment/trial if required.
• Immediate or short-notice joiners will be preferred.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates may apply through LinkedIn with an updated CV. Please ensure your CV clearly reflects your Café Manager / Outlet Manager experience, UAE F&B experience, team size managed, and current location.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment process.