Role Profile

The Operations Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence, commercial performance, and partner engagement across a cluster of Starbucks stores in the Market.

This opportunity allows you to broaden your impact to market-level strategy, performance, and capability building.

Operations Managers play a critical role in how we show up for our partners, customers, and the business — strengthening leadership pipelines, enabling operational excellence, and driving sustainable performance across our markets.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operations Excellence

• Ensure all stores operate in line with Starbucks standards, SOPs, and UAE regulatory requirements
• Maintain consistency in product quality, service, cleanliness, and food safety
• Monitor operational KPIs and implement corrective action plans
• Drive strong inventory management, stock accuracy, and waste control

2. Commercial & Financial Performance

• Deliver sales, profitability, and cost targets across assigned stores
• Drive key KPIs including:
• Sales growth
• Labor cost optimization
• Food cost and waste
• Store profitability
• Identify opportunities to improve traffic, conversion, and customer spend
• Support execution of local marketing initiatives

3. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, inspire, and coach Store Managers and teams
• Build a culture of:
• Accountability
• High performance
• Customer-first mindset
• Drive talent development, succession planning, and retention
• Ensure consistency in training and capability building

4. Customer Experience

• Champion the Starbucks Experience across all stores
• Ensure delivery of exceptional, culturally relevant service
• Act on customer feedback to drive continuous improvement
• Lead from the front through strong store presence and engagement

5. Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with:
• Company policies
• UAE H&S regulations
• Food safety standards
• Manage audits and ensure timely closure of actions
• Maintain strong operational discipline and risk control

6. Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with:
• District & Regional leadership
• Support functions (HR, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain)
• Align on business priorities and initiatives
• Support new store openings, expansions, and brand campaigns

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Sales vs target
• Profitability and cost control
• Operational audit scores
• Customer satisfaction (NPS/feedback)
• Team engagement and retention
• Compliance and food safety

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in retail/F&B operations
• Proven track record managing multi-site/store operations
• Strong understanding of:
• Operational standards
• Cost control
• Team leadership in high-volume environments
• Experience driving commercial performance and operational improvement

Preferred

• Experience within Starbucks or similar QSR/coffee brands
• Exposure to UAE/GCC market
• Experience within large-scale, multi-brand organisations

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and coaching capability
• Commercial and data-driven mindset
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Strong problem-solving and planning skills
• High level of organisation and attention to detail

Why Apply for this role?

• Broader market-level influence and strategic leadership
• Ownership of performance across key commercial and people KPIs
• Opportunity to develop and coach District Managers, building strong succession pipelines
• Exposure to cross-functional projects and business transformation initiatives
• A structured growth and development journey, aligned to the How Do I Grow framework