Job Title: Operations & Compliance Manager – Cloud Kitchen & QSRLocation: Middle East (UAE / KSA / GCC) Employment Type: Full-Time Department: Operations & Expansion
Role Overview We are looking for a high-caliber Operations & Compliance Manager to lead the administrative, regulatory, and operational backbone of an expanding QSR and Cloud Kitchen network across the Middle East. This role will oversee regulatory approvals, location scouting, rental negotiations, supply chain setup, vendor qualification, and central kitchen coordination. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced scale-up environment, understands F&B regulatory frameworks in the region, and has hands-on experience building operational systems from the ground up.
Key Responsibilities1. Regulatory Compliance, Licensing & Liaison Manage end-to-end compliance across all locations (Municipalities, FTA, Food Safety, Civil Defense, DED, Trade License, and GCC equivalents). Ensure timely approvals for all kitchens (QSR & cloud): Food License, Kitchen Approvals, Health & Safety, HACCP, Fire Safety Certificates, and Environmental Permits. Maintain updated compliance calendars and proactively renew leases, licenses, permits, and insurance. Liaise with consultants, government portals, free zones, and regulatory bodies to expedite approvals. Review all statutory compliances for opening cloud kitchens, QSRs, and central kitchens in the Middle East.2. Location Scouting & Rental Agreement Management Identify, evaluate, and shortlist potential locations for cloud kitchens, QSR storefronts, and central kitchens. Conduct location validation assessments including footfall, delivery-radius analytics, zoning laws, access, and operational viability. Negotiate rental contracts, renewals, exit clauses, and manage legal documentation with landlords. Assess flexible kitchen options (shared kitchens, franchised kitchens, 3rd-party commissaries) and evaluate viability and cost impact.3. Central Kitchen & Operations Integration Support planning, setup, and operational structuring of central kitchens (ERP, workflows, hygiene, equipment planning). Coordinate with culinary and production teams to ensure standardized operations across multiple kitchens. Implement SOPs for prep, dispatch, receiving, stock rotation, waste control, hygiene, and food safety.4. Supply Chain Management & Vendor Development Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers for proteins, vegetables, sauces, spices, condiments, and dry goods. Build relationships with certified suppliers across the UAE/GCC for reliable, cost-efficient sourcing. Validate vendors through quality checks, facility visits, documentation audits, and compliance verification (HACCP, ISO, Halal). Oversee contract manufacturing partners and outsourced supply chain models when needed. Develop logistics plans for raw material distribution and finished product dispatch.5. Operations & Expansion Support Manage the full lifecycle of opening new outlets—from regulatory filing to physical setup and operational go-live. Coordinate between kitchen teams, procurement, finance, HR, and management to ensure smooth pre-opening and post-opening operations. Ensure every site meets brand, safety, cost, and quality standards before launch. Track operational KPIs such as COGS, wastage, supplier performance, logistics reliability, and on-time store openings.6. Continuous Improvement & Operational Governance Build operational dashboards and documentation for traceability and compliance. Identify bottlenecks in supply chain, regulatory workflows, or operations and implement corrective actions. Maintain strong collaboration with Finance, HR, Culinary, and Marketing teams. Ensure kitchens operate at optimum efficiency with minimal waste and maximum consistency.
Qualifications & Experience8–10+ years of experience in F&B operations, preferably in QSR, cloud kitchens, or FMCG supply chain in the Middle East. Strong understanding of UAE/GCC regulatory frameworks (Municipalities, FTA, Food Safety, Trade License, HACCP). Experience in location selection, rental negotiations, and pre-opening operations. Knowledge of central kitchen operations, cold chain logistics, procurement processes, and vendor qualification. Strong negotiation and documentation skills. Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Valid UAE/GCC driving license preferred.
Key Competencies Regulatory Compliance & Documentation Vendor Assessment & Procurement Supply Chain & Logistics Planning Location Scouting & Commercial Evaluation Negotiation & Contract Management Project Management & Pre-Opening Execution Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement Strong Communication & Interpersonal Skills