Head of Strategic Planning & Business Excellence

Emirates Flight Catering; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aviation catering company in Dubai is seeking a Head of Strategic Planning & Business Excellence to drive operational efficiency and innovation. This role requires 20+ years of senior leadership experience, focusing on transformation and large-scale projects in a dynamic environment. The successful candidate will work closely with the CEO and senior executives to shape the future of the organization.

Benefits

Diverse work environment

Digital transformation initiatives

People-first culture

Qualifications

• 20+ years of senior leadership experience in transformation, operational strategy, and capital projects.
• Proven record in large-scale infrastructure buildouts, operational excellence, and ERP/digital transformation.
• Strong background in aviation, airline catering, hospitality, or large-scale food production.

Responsibilities

• Lead EKFC’s strategic roadmap translating vision into actionable initiatives.
• Oversee the PMO to ensure initiatives are delivered on time and within scope.
• Drive operational efficiency through lean methodologies and digital transformation.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership presence

Analytical acumen

Change leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Engineering, Strategy, or related field

MBA preferred

Job description

Lead Strategy. Drive Transformation. Shape the Future of Aviation Catering.

We’re Hiring: Head of Strategic Planning & Business Excellence

Location: Dubai, UAE

Company: Emirates Flight Catering

Industry: Aviation | Culinary Solutions | Hospitality | Large-Scale Infrastructure

At Emirates Flight Catering, we are continuously evolving to redefine culinary and hospitality solutions on a global scale. As part of our vision to be the most admired and innovative culinary solutions provider, we are seeking an exceptional leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as the Head of Strategic Planning & Business Excellence.

This role is a key driver of long-term strategy, operational excellence, enterprise transformation, and innovation across our business. You will be at the heart of shaping our future, working closely with the CEO and senior executives to embed a high-performance, people-centric culture while leading major strategic initiatives—including the development of our new state-of-the-art catering infrastructure at Dubai World Central (DWC).

You will

• Lead EKFC’s strategic roadmap by translating enterprise vision into actionable initiatives, programmes, and performance metrics.
• Oversee the Project Management Office (PMO) to ensure strategic initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and achieving measurable impact.
• Drive operational efficiency through lean methodologies, digital transformation, and workforce optimisation.
• Champion enterprise governance on food quality, food safety, and health & safety—embedding integrity and continuous improvement across the organisation.
• Support iconic infrastructure development at DWC, ensuring scalability, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Foster a performance-driven culture through evidence-based decision-making, enterprise-wide performance systems, and strong accountability frameworks.
• Lead innovation in process design, technology adoption, and service delivery by collaborating with Culinary, Procurement, and Digital teams.
• Embed resilience in enterprise risk management and strategic reporting to support sustainable growth.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a transformational senior leader who thrives in complex, fast-paced, and highly regulated industries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Engineering, Strategy, or related field
• MBA preferred

Experience

• 20+ years of senior leadership experience in transformation, operational strategy, and capital projects
• Proven record in large-scale infrastructure buildouts, operational excellence, and ERP/digital transformation
• Strong background in aviation, airline catering, hospitality, or large-scale food production
• Expertise in global regulatory frameworks, food safety, and HSE standards

Skills & Leadership Attributes

• Strategic and systems thinker with the ability to operationalise complex goals
• Proven change leader who builds alignment across diverse teams
• Strong leadership presence with C-suite and board-level influence
• Deep analytical acumen with comfort in data-driven decision-making
• Collaborative, transparent, and grounded in continuous improvement

Why Join EKFC?

• Work at the intersection of aviation, gastronomy, and innovation.
• Play a pivotal role in shaping the future of airline catering infrastructure at one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.
• Lead in a truly diverse and global environment with over 11,500 employees representing 59+ nationalities.
• Be part of a people-first organisation that values performance, culture, and sustainability.
• Join a company committed to digital transformation and operational excellence while preserving our culinary heritage.

Interested?

Apply now and be part of our journey.