Operations Director - QSR & Upper Casual

Driven to create unique home-grown food concepts that bring people together, the Independent Food Company is a UAE-based hospitality company with multiple concepts under it's umbrella – SALT, Switch, Parker's, Somewhere and Public. We are looking for Operation Director that share our passion for hospitality with a genuine ability to connect with guests and colleagues alike, and brings the core value of 'TEAM' to the restaurant. A natural leader, you are responsible for maintaining the highest levels of hospitality while leading service on the floor. Some of the key responsibilities would be as follows;

• Lead and oversee the pre-opening efforts of the F&B division, including recruitment, training, operational setup, and team development.
• Develop, implement, and refine innovative food and beverage concepts that align with IFC's creative approach to hospitality.
• Manage the daily operations of all F&B outlets, ensuring consistent quality, service standards, and exceptional guest experiences.
• Cultivate and inspire a high-performance culture, motivating your team to deliver excellence while embracing IFC's brand values.
• Control budgets, manage costs, and maximize revenue while maintaining luxury service standards.
• Collaborate with the leadership team to ensure that F&B initiatives align with IFC's strategic objectives.
• Monitor guest feedback and key performance indicators, proactively addressing opportunities for improvement.
• Drive sustainability and innovation in F&B operations, embracing trends and best practices in the industry.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and local regulations.

This role requires a visionary leader with an eye for innovation and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences in the world of food and beverage. Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Food & Beverage management, with at least 3 years in a Director-level role, ideally in a luxury or lifestyle hotel environment.
• Experience working in a truly global work environment is essential.
• Prior pre-opening experience is highly preferred, with a strong understanding of the operational and logistical aspects involved.
• Expertise in luxury dining and innovative food and beverage concepts.
• Strong customer orientation, emotional intelligence, and credibility, with a sense of commitment and accountability.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills.
• Leadership skills that inspire and unify teams around common goals, striving for excellence in both quality and financial outcomes.
• Strong financial management experience with the ability to control budgets and achieve cost efficiencies.
• Passionate about curating exceptional dining experiences.
• Knowledge of food trends, sustainability initiatives, and industry best practices.
• Fluency in English (Arabic language skills are a plus).
• Creative thinking and the ability to embrace innovation while maintaining operational excellence.