Operations Director - QSR & Upper Casual

Driven to create unique home-grown food concepts that bring people together, the Independent Food Company is a UAE-based hospitality company with multiple concepts under its umbrella SALT, Switch, Parkers, Somewhere and Public.

We are looking for Operation Director that share our passion for hospitality with a genuine ability to connect with guests and colleagues alike, and brings the core value of &aposTEAM&apos to the restaurant. A natural leader, you are responsible for maintaining the highest levels of hospitality while leading service on the floor. Some of the key responsibilities would be as follows;

1. Lead and oversee the pre-opening efforts of the F&B division, including recruitment, training, operational setup, and team development.
2. Develop, implement, and refine innovative food and beverage concepts that align with IFC&aposs creative approach to hospitality.
3. Manage the daily operations of all F&B outlets, ensuring consistent quality, service standards, and exceptional guest experiences.
4. Cultivate and inspire a high-performance culture, motivating your team to deliver excellence while embracing IFC&aposs brand values.
5. Control budgets, manage costs, and maximize revenue while maintaining luxury service standards.
6. Collaborate with the leadership team to ensure that F&B initiatives align with IFC&aposs strategic objectives.
7. Monitor guest feedback and key performance indicators, proactively addressing opportunities for improvement.
8. Drive sustainability and innovation in F&B operations, embracing trends and best practices in the industry.
9. Ensure compliance with health, safety, and local regulations.

This role requires a visionary leader with an eye for innovation and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences in the world of food and beverage.

Qualifications

1. Minimum of 5 years of experience in Food & Beverage management, with at least 3 years in a Director-level role, ideally in a luxury or lifestyle hotel environment.
2. Experience working in a truly global work environment is essential.
3. Prior pre-opening experience is highly preferred, with a strong understanding of the operational and logistical aspects involved.
4. Expertise in luxury dining and innovative food and beverage concepts.
5. Strong customer orientation, emotional intelligence, and credibility, with a sense of commitment and accountability.
6. Exceptional stakeholder management skills.
7. Leadership skills that inspire and unify teams around common goals, striving for excellence in both quality and financial outcomes.
8. Strong financial management experience with the ability to control budgets and achieve cost efficiencies.
9. Passionate about curating exceptional dining experiences.
10. Knowledge of food trends, sustainability initiatives, and industry best practices.
11. Fluency in English (Arabic language skills are a plus).
12. Creative thinking and the ability to embrace innovation while maintaining operational excellence.