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

The 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.

• 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.
  

• 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).
  

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

• 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.