Country General Manager

COREcruitment Ltd; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

COREcruitment Ltd is seeking a Country General Manager to lead the Netherlands operations for a fast-growing restaurant brand. You will own the strategy, profitability, and growth, while directing multi-site operations and senior teams.

You will drive expansion, oversee supply chain, and ensure brand standards, guest hospitality, and safety across all locations in collaboration with the franchisor. This is a high-visibility, influential role reporting to owners.

Qualifications

• Proven multi-site leadership experience in restaurant/hospitality, with P&L accountability.
• Fluency in Dutch and English, both spoken and written.
• Strong strategic thinking with ownership of regional P&L and growth plans.
• Valid driving licence and willingness to travel to sites.
• Deep understanding of the Dutch F&B commercial landscape, landlord relations, leases, permits.

Responsibilities

• Formulate strategy for the Netherlands, set roadmap and operating plan.
• Monitor market dynamics; identify opportunities and pivot plans as needed.
• Own P&L and drive profitability and like-for-like sales growth.
• Coach and mentor regional managers and marketing talent; build scalable processes.
• Maintain brand standards, hospitality, and food safety across locations with franchisor.
• Direct local marketing in collaboration with group marketing and agencies.
• Oversee regional supply chain and supplier relationships for launches and campaigns.
• Represent the brand to municipalities, landlords, regulators, and vendors.
• Identify, evaluate and secure new real estate; work with construction division for openings.
• Report to group ownership and contribute to broader European expansion strategy.

Skills

Multi-site leadership

Fluent Dutch & English

Strategic P&L ownership

Driving licence

Dutch F&B landscape knowledge

Job description

Job title: Country General Manager - growing restaurant chain
Location: Netherlands
Salary: € Competitive
Proficiency in Dutch language

For our client, an international quick-service restaurant company, we are looking for a Country General Manager as the ultimate leader of our Dutch operations.The role will report directly to the owners of a privately held, international restaurant group.This is an end-to-end ownership role where you will design and drive the strategy for the Netherlands, overseeing profitability, sales, team development, physical locations, and key stakeholder partnerships—including landlords, local government, suppliers, and the franchisor.

As the highest-ranking executive in the country, your scope will naturally expand alongside the company's growth, with clear potential to oversee the broader Benelux territory in the future.

The organization stands at a pivotal, high-growth crossroads.With substantial untapped potential in the Netherlands, your immediate mission is to spearhead the next phase of development: scaling operations, launching new Dutch locations, and initiating expansion into adjacent territories.You will steer this journey backed by visionary, hands-on owners who are deeply committed to investing in both the brand and its leaders.

Key responsibilities:

• Formulate strategy. Craft the Dutch market roadmap and Annual Operating Plan, spearheading execution through your team with guidance from group functional experts.
• Track market dynamics. Keep a close pulse on competitors, consumer behaviour, and regulatory shifts to uncover strategic opportunities and pivot plans as needed.
• Own the P&L. Drive financial performance across the Netherlands to maximize profitability and deliver consistent, long-term like-for-like sales growth.
• Coach and mentor. Lead and hold accountable your area managers, general managers, and marketing talent, establishing the scalable processes, bench strength, and capabilities required for a growing portfolio.
• Uphold excellence. Maintain uncompromising brand standards, exceptional guest hospitality, and rigorous food safety across all locations in collaboration with the franchisor.
• Direct local marketing. Oversee the Dutch marketing strategy in partnership with the group marketing lead and local agencies, scaling both digital engagement and delivery channels.
• Optimize supply chain. Oversee regional distribution and supplier relationships to ensure seamless alignment across operations, marketing, and supply chains for every menu launch and promotion.
• Represent the brand externally. Serve as the primary point of contact for municipalities, landlords, regulators, and key vendors, ensuring every restaurant remains fully compliant and well-maintained.
• Drive expansion. Identify, evaluate, and secure new real estate, collaborating closely with the head office’s construction division from initial site acquisition to grand opening.
• Engage with leadership. Report directly to group ownership and actively contribute to shaping the broader European expansion strategy.

Key requirements:

• Proven multi-site leadership experience in restaurant chains, fast casual or branded hospitality - ideally within a franchise system - with full P&L accountability for a group of restaurants
• Fluent Dutch and English, spoken and written
• Living within easy reach of the business's central-Netherlands head office, and a valid driving licence
• Real experience of the Dutch F&B commercial landscape: multi-site operations, landlord relationships, leases, municipalities, permits and supplier management in the foodservice sector
• A track record of building and retaining strong management teams, and of creating a culture that makes good people stay
• Commercial sharpness, organisation and decisiveness - the confidence to run a country, the judgement to know when the business cannot yet afford something, and the humility to operate as part of a wider group
• Ambition, for the business and for yourself

Other details about the role:

True leadership and influence.A high-impact country director position with direct access to group ownership, giving you the autonomy to define the strategy, scale the business, and build your ideal team.

An iconic, beloved brand.Represent a fast-growing, globally recognized restaurant name with massive, untapped potential and market headroom across the region.

A major expansion journey.Spearhead the entire Benelux growth story, using the Netherlands as your foundational launchpad and flagship market.

Complete operational backing.Focus on core growth supported by a dedicated shared service centre.

Job title: Country General Manager - growing restaurant chain
Location: Netherlands
Salary: € Competitive
Proficiency in Dutch language