Operations Manager

Daikan Izakaya; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Daikan Izakaya is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee the group’s operational, strategic, and administrative functions across outlets in the UAE and beyond.

You will lead Restaurant Managers, collaborate with the Executive Chef, HR, Marketing, and Finance, and ensure brand standards, cost controls, and scalable processes for growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in hospitality management or related field.
• MBA or Hospitality Management degree preferred.
• 10+ years in F&B/hospitality operations.
• At least 3 years in senior/executive level leadership.
• Experience with multi-brand or multi-unit operations.
• Strong cost control and P&L experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead performance of all outlets to ensure quality, service, efficiency, and profitability.
• Directly manage Restaurant Managers and Supervisors; oversee expansion and pre-opening activities.
• Ensure compliance with brand standards, financial targets, and regulations.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef on food quality and kitchen operations.
• Oversee HR, marketing, finance, procurement, and training at HO.
• Drive cross-border expansion and strategic growth initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Vendor relations

People management

P&L management

Education

Bachelor's in hospitality management

MBA or Hospitality Management

Tools

POS systems

Job description

Job Title: Operations Manager
Location:Dubai, Abu Dhabi ,UAE
Reports to:CEO & COO
Brands:Daikan Ramen & Daikan Izakaya Role Summary

The Operations Manager is a key executive leadership role responsible for overseeing the entire operational, strategic, and administrative functions of Daikan Hospitality Group. This includes direct responsibility for restaurant operations and working closely with executive chef, human resources, marketing, finance, procurement, training.
As an Operations Manager will ensure seamless integration between outlets and support functions, drive efficiency, and deliver consistent, high-quality guest and employee experiences. The role is both strategic and operational, with a focus on expansion, corporate governance, and sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Management

• Lead performance of all outlets, ensuring consistent quality, service, efficiency, and profitability.
• Directly manage and guide Restaurant Managers, Supervisors. Oversee expansion and pre-opening activities including market analysis, site selection, feasibility, planning, staffing, training, and launch execution.
• Ensure compliance with brand standards, financial targets, and regulatory requirements. Work closely with the Executive Chef to ensure food quality and kitchen operations meet company standards.

2. Head Office Oversight

• Working with HO teams to stay aligned on company goals.
• Human Resources:Lead organizational design, workforce planning, succession planning, performance. management, and compliance with UAE labour laws. Foster a strong company culture and employee engagement.
• Marketing:Oversee brand strategy, campaigns, PR, digital channels, and promotional activities to drive footfall, awareness, and sales. Ensure marketing is aligned with operational needs and growth strategy.
• Finance & Procurement:Work closely with Finance to monitor P&L, budgets, forecasts, and group-wide cost control. Ensure procurement and supply chain functions are efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with growth.
• Training & Development:Oversee Learning & Development, ensuring structured training programs for both HO staff and outlet employees, with a focus on leadership pipeline development.
• Administration & Compliance:Ensure that all corporate governance, licenses, audits, and legal compliance are maintained across all HO functions.

3. Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the group's operational strategy in line with long-term business objectives.
• Drive cross-functional alignment across all departments to achieve organizational efficiency and scalability.
• Represent operations and Head Office functions at the board/ownership level, providing strategic recommendations.
• Lead corporate initiatives such as franchising, partnerships, and international expansion.

4. KPI & Performance Management

• Set clear KPIs for outlets, with strong accountability at every level.
• Regularly review financial performance, operational metrics, HR dashboards, and marketing ROI.
• Ensure structured reporting and communication across the leadership team.

5. People & Culture

• Build and lead a high-performing leadership team across outlets and HO.
• Establish succession plans, leadership development programs, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Oversee vendor contracts and purchasing, ensuring value without compromising on quality.
• Act as a culture champion, ensuring the group's values are embedded across all markets and functions.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, Business Administration, or a related field (required).
• Master's in business administration (MBA) or Hospitality Management (preferred).
• 10+ years in F&B or hospitality operations, with at least 3 years at senior or executive level leading large, multi-unit and cross-border operations. Experience in high-growth or multi-brand environments is preferred.
• Proven success managing large teams, improving operational KPIs, and delivering strong financial results.
• Strategic, decisive, collaborative, and capable of leading through complexity and change.
• Deep operational knowledge across both front- and back-of-house functions.
• Menu engineering and product cost control knowledge.
• Expertise in restaurant P&L management and financial forecasting.
• Strong project management and pre-opening experience.
• Ability to build scalable systems and structures across diverse markets.
• Clear, influential communicator at all levels of the business.
• Knowledge of POS systems, inventory platforms, and restaurant tech.
• Strong vendor negotiation and supply chain management skills.

Key Success Metrics

• Outlet performance (revenue, margin, guest satisfaction).
• Operational efficiency (labour, food cost, process compliance).
• Timely and successful pre-openings (UAE and international).
• Strength and development of operational leadership pipeline.
• Cross-functional collaboration and executional alignment.
• Market growth and scalability of operations infrastructure.