Cafe Manager /Head of Operations - Cafe

Confidential Company; Dubai; On-site; AED 201,000 - 301,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Company in Dubai is seeking an experienced Cafe Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day operations, ensure profitable performance, and uphold brand standards across outlets.

You will lead cafe teams, develop SOPs and training, monitor KPIs, manage inventory and procurement, and drive quality and customer satisfaction in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 6–7 years of cafe operations management experience.
• Experience managing multiple outlets or central kitchens.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Experience in cafe, fast casual, or scalable restaurant concepts.
• 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, labour cost).
• Ability to work in a fast-paced growth environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day cafe operations ensuring smooth, profitable performance.
• Establish SOPs, service protocols, and brand standards across all cafe functions.
• Monitor sales, customer flow, productivity and service efficiency.
• Lead cafe teams including managers, supervisors, baristas and service staff; set KPIs.
• Ensure hygiene, food safety, and quality control across outlets.
• Oversee procurement, inventory planning and supplier coordination.
• Coordinate with kitchen and beverage teams for consistency and quality.
• Develop strategies to increase sales, average transaction value and customer retention.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Franchise systems

P&L

Food cost

Labour cost

Job description

1 Cafe Operations Management

Oversee the overall day-to-day operations of the cafe ensuring smooth efficient and profitable business performance Establish and maintain operational standards procedures and service protocols across all cafe functions Monitor daily sales operational performance customer flow productivity and service efficiency Ensure all outlets consistently maintain company standards and brand identity

2 Coffee Beverage Program Development

Lead the development enhancement and standardisation of coffee and beverage menus Drive product innovation and introduce new beverages based on customer preferences market trends and business objectives Establish standardised recipes preparation methods portion controls and presentation standards Monitor beverage quality consistency and profitability across all products

3 Reporting Performance Monitoring

Prepare and review regular operational and financial performance reports Monitor key performance indicators including sales gross margin food and beverage cost wastage labor cost customer satisfaction and productivity Present operational updates challenges and improvement plans to senior management Use data and performance insights to make informed operational decisions

4 Team Leadership People Management

Lead manage and motivate cafe teams including managers supervisors baristas service staff and support teams Establish performance expectations KPIs and accountability standards for operational teams Support recruitment onboarding training performance evaluations and employee development Build a strong service culture focused on professionalism teamwork accountability and customer satisfaction Identify training needs and implement continuous development programs for staff

5 Quality Control Standards

Maintain strict standards for coffee beverages food preparation presentation hygiene and service Conduct regular operational audits and quality checks Ensure adherence to approved recipes SOPs portion sizes and presentation guidelines Work closely with kitchen and beverage teams to maintain consistency across all shift

6 Inventory Procurement Management

Oversee purchasing inventory planning stock levels and supplier coordination Ensure appropriate stock availability while minimising overstocking expiry and wastage Monitor supplier performance pricing product quality and delivery schedules Coordinate with procurement and finance teams to optimise purchasing costs and inventory controls

7 Hygiene Health Safety Compliance

Ensure compliance with applicable UAE food safety hygiene health and workplace safety requirements Maintain high standards of cleanliness across the cafe kitchen storage service areas and equipment Ensure employees follow food handling hygiene safety and sanitation procedures Coordinate regular inspections maintenance pest control and corrective actions where required start

8 Strategic Leadership Responsibilities

Develop strategies to increase cafe sales average transaction value customer retention and profitability Identify opportunities for new revenue streams promotions partnerships events and product offerings Monitor sales trends and customer behavior to support business decisions Work with marketing teams on campaigns seasonal promotions product launches and brand initiatives Act as the key operational leader responsible for driving performance profitability quality and customer experience across the cafe Minimum 6–7 years experience in Cafe operations managementExperience managing multiple outlets and/or central kitchensStrong leadership and people management skillsExperience in café, fast casual, or scalable restaurant concepts preferredStrong understanding of franchise systems and operational scalingExperience creating SOPs, training manuals, and operational structuresStrong financial and analytical understanding (P&L, food cost, labour cost, etc.)Ability to work in a fast‑paced growth environment