Head of Operations - Boutique Café

mustard & linen; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A boutique café is seeking a Head of Operations to lead daily operations and ensure exceptional service quality. The ideal candidate will oversee staffing, training, purchasing, and compliance with health & safety regulations while maintaining high standards. You will play a key role in managing P&L, developing team members, and driving operational efficiency. Candidates should possess a relevant degree and at least 5 years of management experience in cafés or casual dining. Fluency in English is required, with Arabic being an advantage.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ supervisory or operations management experience in cafés or casual dining.
• Strong knowledge of F&B operations, health & safety, and inventory management.
• Experience in P&L management, budgeting, and KPI tracking.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily café service, ensuring smooth operations and consistent quality.
• Manage P&L with Finance, monitoring sales, labor, food costs, and expenses.
• Ensure compliance with UAE and Abu Dhabi Municipality regulations.
• Recruit, train, and develop staff; conduct performance reviews.
• Support new initiatives, system rollouts, and process improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Customer-centric approach

Attention to detail

Education

Diploma/Bachelor’s in Hospitality, Business, or related field

Job description

Mustard & Linen is launching a boutique café where character, bold flavor, and our signature design language come together in one immersive experience.

Head of Operations is responsible for leading daily café operations, ensuring exceptional service quality, operational efficiency, financial performance, and a consistent customer experience. The role oversees staffing, training, purchasing, health & safety, and overall business performance while upholding brand standards.

Responsibilities

Operational Excellence

• Oversee daily café service, ensuring smooth operations and consistent quality.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food safety, and customer satisfaction.
• Resolve customer concerns and ensure service recovery.
• Conduct operational audits and enforce SOP compliance.
• Maintain strong floor presence and make daily operational decisions.

Financial Performance

• Manage P&L with Finance, monitoring sales, labor, food costs, and expenses.
• Review daily financial reports and approve voids, discounts, and promos.
• Support menu engineering and pricing adjustments.
• Drive revenue growth through operational improvements and guest-focused initiatives.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with UAE and Abu Dhabi Municipality regulations.
• Conduct daily walkthroughs to maintain hygiene and safety standards.
• Lead monthly health & safety audits.
• Ensure a secure environment for guests, staff, and company assets.

Purchasing & Inventory

• Oversee procurement, vendor relationships, and stock levels.
• Prevent shortages (86 items) through forecasting and timely reorder.
• Review invoices for pricing accuracy.
• Ensure displays (Grab & Go, desserts, etc.) meet brand and quality standards.

Team Leadership

• Recruit, train, and develop staff; conduct performance reviews.
• Ensure proper scheduling aligned with business needs.
• Maintain strong team communication and lead monthly team meetings.
• Build a positive, motivated workplace culture.

Strategic & Cross-Functional Support

• Communicate effectively between head office and café teams.
• Support new initiatives, system rollouts, and process improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and guest experience.

Qualifications

• Diploma/Bachelor’s in Hospitality, Business, or related field.
• 5+ years’ supervisory or operations management experience in cafés or casual dining.
• Strong knowledge of F&B operations, health & safety, and inventory management.
• Experience in P&L management, budgeting, and KPI tracking.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Fluency in English; Arabic an advantage.

The Energy You Bring

• High-energy, positivity, approachable, customer-centric
• High attention to detail and strong hygiene standards.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team-development skills.