Operations Director - Supermarket / Hypermarket Experience is "MUST" 50K - 60K + Family Benefits
Role Summary
Role Title: Operations Director – Supermarket & Hypermarket
Nature of Business: Retail, FMCG, Food & Beverage (F&B)
Function: Operations & General Management
Business Model: B2C Retail (Brick & Mortar / Omni-channel)
Employment Type: Full-time
Seniority Level: Executive
Work Model: Onsite
Location: UAE (Dubai)
Experience Required: 15-20 years
Business Priorities: Operational Excellence, P&L Growth, Market Expansion, Process Standardization
Role OverviewThe Operations Director for Supermarkets & Hypermarkets is a strategic executive role responsible for leading large-scale retail and F&B operations across the UAE. This position focuses on driving sustainable profitability, optimizing supply chain-to-shelf efficiency, and overseeing diverse departments including fresh food, catering, and kitchen operations to ensure a premium customer experience. The role is critical in aligning multi-site operations with the broader corporate strategy while navigating the competitive and regulated GCC retail landscape.
Key Responsibilities
- * Lead and oversee the end-to-end operations of a portfolio of hypermarkets and supermarkets, ensuring consistent delivery of brand standards and KPIs.
- Drive the financial performance of the business unit by managing P&L, optimizing operational costs, and implementing robust budgeting and forecasting frameworks.
- Oversee F&B, catering, and central kitchen operations within the retail environment, ensuring high standards of food safety, quality control, and culinary innovation.
- Develop and execute sales strategies to increase basket value, footfall, and market share in a highly competitive UAE retail market.
- Implement lean operational processes to minimize shrinkage, manage high-volume inventory, and enhance supply chain efficiency.
- Lead, mentor, and build a high-performing management team, fostering a culture of accountability, resilience, and customer-centricity.
- Ensure strict compliance with UAE municipal regulations, health and safety standards (HACCP), and labor laws across all sites.
- Drive cross-functional collaboration with Commercial, Marketing, and HR departments to launch promotions and optimize workforce planning.
- Champion digital transformation and retail tech integration, such as automated checkout systems and last-mile delivery synchronization.
- Monitor market trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities for store format innovation and service enhancement.
Required Competencies Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate long-term vision into actionable operational roadmaps.
* Commercial Acumen: Deep understanding of retail economics and the drivers of profitability in the GCC.
* Stakeholder Management: Experience in influencing C-suite executives, government authorities, and external partners.
* Execution Excellence: A relentless focus on operational rigor and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
* Leadership & Influence: Proven ability to lead large, diverse workforces (1,000+ employees) across multiple locations.
* Resilience:* Ability to remain calm and decisive under high-pressure retail cycles and seasonal peaks (e.g., Ramadan, Dubai Shopping Festival).
Required Education
- * Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Retail Management, or a related field.
- Master’s Degree (MBA) from a reputable institution is highly preferred.
- Professional certifications in Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or Advanced Retail Management.
Required Knowledge
- * Deep understanding of the UAE Retail and FMCG landscape, including consumer behavior and local competition.
- Comprehensive knowledge of F&B operations, including kitchen management, food safety standards (ISO 22000 / HACCP), and catering logistics.
- Expert-level knowledge of P&L management, financial reporting, and retail math.
- Familiarity with UAE Labor Law and Ministry of Economy regulations regarding retail trade and consumer protection.
- Knowledge of cold chain management and perishables handling specific to hypermarket scale.
Required Skills Financial Analysis: Advanced ability to interpret complex financial data and identify cost-saving opportunities.
* Operations Management: Mastery of store layout, inventory control, and workforce optimization.
* Strategic Sales Planning: Designing promotions and loyalty programs to drive revenue.
* Technology Proficiency: Experience with ERP systems (SAP/Oracle/Microsoft Dynamics) and Retail POS analytics.
* Language: Professional fluency in English; Arabic language skills are a significant advantage for government and local stakeholder relations.
* Negotiation:* Strong skills in vendor management and contract negotiation.
Required Abilities Complex Problem Solving: Ability to resolve operational bottlenecks and supply chain disruptions swiftly.
* Agility: Ability to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions and consumer trends in the UAE.
* Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to lead a multicultural workforce and interact with a diverse customer base.
* Mobility:* Ability to travel frequently between store locations and regional offices within the UAE.
