Head of Operations - Lifestyle Café Group

Head of Operations - Homegrown Saudi Café Chain

Driving Growth. Ensuring Excellence. Elevating the Brand.

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly experienced Head of Operations to oversee and elevate all operational aspects of a fast growing homegrown Saudi café chain, including multiple outlets as well as a central kitchen. The ideal candidate must have proven experience in scaling café or fast casual brands, operational excellence, leadership, systems development, and franchise expansion readiness.

The role requires a hands on operational leader with strong commercial understanding, team management capabilities, and the ability to build scalable systems that support long term growth and brand consistency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily operations across all multi branch Café outlets and central kitchen
• Build and implement strong SOPs and operational systems
• Ensure consistency in quality, service, food safety, and customer experience
• Improve operational efficiency and cost control
• Monitor branch performance, sales, wastage, labor, and profitability
• Lead, train, and evaluate branch managers and operational teams
• Develop reporting structures and accountability systems
• Work closely with HR and recruitment on staffing requirements
• Prepare the brand operationally for future expansion and franchising
• Establish franchise ready systems, manuals, workflows, and operational standards
• Improve guest experience and strengthen brand consistency across all locations
• Coordinate with marketing, supply chain, procurement, and finance departments

Core Competencies:

• Operational Excellence
• Commercial Acumen
• Leadership
• Brand Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Problem Solving

Qualifications:

• Minimum 7-10 years experience in F&B operations management
• Experience managing multiple outlets and/or central kitchens
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Experience in café, fast casual, or scalable restaurant concepts preferred
• Strong understanding of franchise systems and operational scaling
• Experience creating SOPs, training manuals, and operational structures
• Strong financial and analytical understanding (P&L, food cost, labor cost, etc.)
• Ability to work in a fast paced growth environment
• Arabic and English preferred

Ideal Background:

Candidates with experience from recognized café chains, scalable restaurant brands, with an understanding of GCC markets will be preferred. Hands on experience preparing brands for franchising, including franchise operational manuals, systems, and scalability frameworks is required to be successful in the role.

Benefits:

• Creative & collaborative work culture - built on passion, innovation, and attention to detail
• Exposure to high end hospitality & entertainment concepts - gain experience in premium F&B and entertainment
• Experience working on premium events within The Groves, Riyadh Season
• Cultural diversity - join a team of passionate professionals from around the world