Head of Catering Operations

Etihad Airways; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading airline in the UAE seeks a strategic leader for its global catering operations. The role involves defining the direction of in-flight and lounge services, ensuring exceptional guest experiences through innovation and efficiency. Candidates should possess a degree and have 12-15 years of relevant leadership experience in catering. The position includes accountability for strategic roadmaps, overseeing vendor relationships, and leading a high-impact team focused on transformation. Emphasis on data-driven decision-making and operational excellence is crucial.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12-15 years of relevant experience in a leadership role or senior management capacity with exposure to global catering operations.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for the long-term strategic roadmap for global catering services.
• Oversee global catering contracts and vendor governance.
• Drive and monitor operational KPIs and quality assurance.
• Lead the transformation of global catering operations.

Skills

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Data-driven decision-making

Operational excellence

Education

Degree level education

Job description

Overview

As a strategic leader, this role is responsible for shaping and defining the future direction of the airline’s global catering operations across both in-flight and lounge services. This position leads the strategic planning, commercial governance, and continuous improvement of all catering operations, ensuring exceptional guest experiences through innovation, operational excellence, and effective stakeholder collaboration. The role will champion a performance culture, lead a high-impact team, and drive transformation through data-driven decision-making, smart contract management, and cross-functional alignment.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for the long-term strategic roadmap for global catering services across all in-flight and lounge operations, aligned with guest experience and business priorities.
• Anticipate emerging trends in customer preferences, sustainability and technology to position the airline at the forefront of aviation catering innovation.
• Develop integrated catering models that optimize the end-to-end value chain from product design to delivery.
• Oversee global catering contracts, commercial negotiations, and vendor governance, ensuring cost-efficiency, scalability, and service-level adherence.
• Drive contract innovation, leveraging performance-based models and strategic partnerships to maximize value.
• Accountable for the catering budget and financial planning processes, ensuring rigorous cost management and alignment with business targets. Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
• Lead the transformation of global catering operations through process improvement, digitization, and automation.
• Drive and monitor operational KPIs, quality assurance, on-time delivery, cost performance, customer satisfaction and compliance frameworks covering food safety and aviation regulations.
• Deliver a seamless and consistent guest experience across all airport touchpoints through integrated planning and operational alignment.
• Accountable for the planning of menu cycles, equipment forecasts, and logistical flows in coordination with network scheduling, procurement, and supplier capabilities.
• Partner with Product and Service Design teams to deliver future-focused menu and service concepts.
• Champion continuous improvement by implementing data-driven performance tracking and advanced planning tools.
• Lead cross-functional innovation initiatives, incorporating sustainability, waste reduction and customer personalization.
• Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability and service excellence.
• Develop leadership capability through structured succession planning, skills development, and performance management frameworks.
• Drive internal alignment across departments, ensuring catering goals are integrated into wider business strategies and secure cross functional support (e.g., Operations, Procurement, Commercial, Finance)
• Cultivate strategic relationships with catering providers, airport authorities, and regulatory bodies to ensure proactive issue management and future-readiness.

Education & Experience

• Degree level education required.
• Minimum of 12-15 years of relevant experience in a leadership role or senior management capacity with exposure to global Cateringoperations.

About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, was formed in 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the world’s leading airlines. From its home in Abu Dhabi, Etihad flies to passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. Together with Etihad’s codeshare partners, Etihad’s network offers access to hundreds of international destinations. In recent years, Etihad has received numerous awards for its superior service and products, cargo offering, loyalty programme and more. All this ties into Etihad’s ambitious Journey 2030 strategy. The airline plans to double its fleet size and triple the number of customers over the next six years as it sets out to be the airline everyone wants to fly!

To learn more, visit etihad.com

Recruitment Fraud Alert

Recruitment Fraud Alert

Beware of fraudulent job offers from individuals or organizations claiming to represent the Etihad group. We will never ask for personal information, bank details, or payment during the recruitment process. Interviews are conducted face-to-face or via video/telephone before any formal offer. If you are asked for money, please treat it as fraudulent.