Restaurant Manager

About the Company

Kitopi is a pioneering tech-driven multi-brand restaurant enterprise committed to fulfilling global appetites. Established in Dubai in 2018, it has rapidly expanded its presence across the UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, operating over 200 locations with a workforce exceeding 4,000 employees. The company leverages proprietary technology, including its Smart Kitchen Operating System (SKOS), to optimize cloud kitchen services and maintain leadership in the food-tech arena. With significant investments from Softbank's Vision Fund 2, Kitopi has achieved Unicorn status, underscoring its swift growth in the MENA region.

Role Overview

We are seeking a seasoned and customer-centric Restaurant Manager responsible for overseeing daily restaurant operations, ensuring excellent service standards, driving profitability, and effectively leading the team to provide exceptional dining experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage daily restaurant activities to ensure efficient service delivery.
• Lead, mentor, and motivate the restaurant staff towards achieving operational excellence and high customer satisfaction.
• Maintain stringent standards regarding food quality, service, hygiene, and overall guest experience.
• Track restaurant performance metrics including sales, costs, waste management, and profitability.
• Enhance sales through team leadership, proactive upselling, promotional activities, and engaging customers.
• Coordinate staff scheduling, attendance monitoring, performance evaluation, and manpower planning.
• Conduct regular team meetings and facilitate continuous training and professional development.
• Address guest feedback and complaints professionally ensuring prompt and effective resolution.
• Ensure adherence to all food safety, hygiene, and health & safety regulations along with company policies.
• Manage inventory levels, stock usage, and reduce wastage in collaboration with other teams.
• Maintain proper upkeep and functionality of all restaurant equipment and facilities.
• Prepare and analyze operational reports, including sales, labor, and inventory metrics.
• Collaborate with kitchen, central operations, supply chain, and related teams to ensure seamless restaurant workflow.
• Support recruitment processes, onboarding, performance management, and promote employee engagement.
• Implement company policies, standard operating procedures, and operational guidelines consistently.
• Perform routine inspections and initiate corrective actions as necessary.

Candidate Requirements

• Possess 8 to 10 years of experience in restaurant, café, or hospitality operations, with substantial experience in managerial roles; experience in burger or quick-service restaurant (QSR) environments is advantageous.
• Comprehensive understanding of restaurant operations and front-of-house services.
• Excellent communication abilities and interpersonal skills.
• Strong leadership qualities with the capability to manage and inspire teams.
• Customer-oriented attitude coupled with a professional and positive demeanor.
• Ability to operate efficiently in fast-paced, high-volume settings.
• Sound problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Familiarity with food safety, hygiene, and workplace health & safety standards.
• Experience with point-of-sale (POS) systems and basic operational reporting techniques.
• Willingness to work flexible shifts, including weekends and public holidays.
• Fluency in English is mandatory; proficiency in additional languages is a plus.

Recruitment and Timeline

Candidates will undergo profile review followed by scheduling a meeting with a recruiter. Shortlisted applicants will meet hiring managers and may participate in 2-3 rounds of interviews involving case studies, role plays, trials, or live coding assessments as appropriate. The recruitment process is typically completed within 2 to 3 weeks.

Benefits

• Access to extensive training programs for both technical and soft skill enhancement.
• Availability of courses through platforms such as LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Mindvalley.
• Participation in bespoke workshops through Kitopi Academy.
• Opportunity to work within an internationally diverse and inclusive team environment.
• Engagement in a supportive community culture.
• Possibility of becoming a shareholder via Kitopi’s ESOP plan (terms apply).
• Unlimited consultations with a nutritionist to support employee wellness.
• No dress code constraints.
• Generous maternity and parental leave provisions.
• Regular team-building activities and social events.
• Inclusive private health insurance coverage.
• Discounts up to 50% at Kitopi brands.
• 30 calendar days of annual leave.
• Flexible work-from-anywhere policy.

Company Culture and Values

Kitopi strives to make its workplace a top choice globally by encouraging employees to excel every day while ensuring a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment. The company values diversity with over 70 nationalities represented, enforcing zero tolerance towards discrimination or hate. The "work from anywhere" policy empowers employees to select their work environment to optimize performance and satisfaction.