Director for Operations

Premium Food Company Ltd.; Jeddah, Makkah Al Mukarramah; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food and beverage sector is seeking a seasoned Director of Operations to manage and scale their H&B operations across the Gulf region. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in operational excellence and team management, as well as experience in the GCC markets, ensuring compliance and driving growth in a fast-casual dining environment.

Benefits

Competitive executive-level compensation package

Performance-based incentives and bonuses

Opportunity to lead a fast-growing F&B portfolio

Qualifications

• Minimum 10–15 years in F&B operations.
• 5+ years at Director level managing 40+ locations.
• Strong operational experience in GCC region.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational direction across dining locations.
• Oversee and develop a team of 1,500+ employees.
• Lead the launch of new concepts and market expansions.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Decision-Making

Strategic Planning

Concept Development

Multi-Market Operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration

Hospitality Management

MBA

Job description

Job Summary:

We are seeking a seasoned and strategic Director of Operations to lead and scale our multi-brand food & beverage operations across the GCC region. The ideal candidate will bring hands-on experience overseeing 40+ dining locations and managing a workforce of over 1,500 employees in a casual or fast-casual dining environment.

This role requires an individual with deep regional expertise, a growth mindset, and a proven track record in operational excellence, new market entry, and concept development within high-value F&B businesses.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic and operational direction.
• Monitor and optimize KPIs including sales, cost control, customer experience, and staff performance.
• Ensure compliance with regional health, safety, and labor regulations.

Team & Resource Management

• Oversee and develop a team of 1,500+ employees, including Area Managers, Restaurant Managers, and support staff.
• Build a strong performance-driven culture with effective talent development, retention, and succession planning.

Business Expansion & Growth

• Lead the launch of new concepts and expansion into new markets in alignment with corporate strategy.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities for franchise or corporate growth across GCC.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on long-term strategic planning.

Brand & Quality Management

• Uphold brand standards and customer experience consistency across all locations.
• Drive continuous improvement in food quality, service excellence, and operational efficiency.

Financial Oversight

• Manage operational budgets, P&L accountability, and cost structures to ensure profitability.
• Implement best practices to maximize return on investment and operational efficiency.

Key Requirements:

• Experience:
• Minimum of 10–15 years in F&B operations, with at least 5 years at the Director level.
• Proven experience managing 40+ locations and overseeing 1,500+ staff across multiple markets.
• Background in casual or fast-casual dining only (not fast food or hotel sectors).
• Experience in companies with a valuation exceeding SAR 500 million.
• Regional Knowledge:
• Strong operational experience in Saudi Arabia, UAE (Dubai), Qatar, and Kuwait.
• Preference given to candidates with experience in local companies in these markets.
• Skills:
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Expertise in strategic planning, concept development, and multi-market operations.
• Ability to manage high-growth environments and implement scalable systems.
• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field.
• MBA or Executive Education is a plus.

What We Offer:

• Competitive executive-level compensation package
• Performance-based incentives and bonuses
• Opportunity to lead one of the region’s fastest-growing F&B portfolios
• Exposure to high-level strategic initiatives across the GCC