General Operations Manager
Gilan Company
Total years of experience :11 years, 11 Months
Accomplishments:
• Hand-selected to lead end-to-end Circle Café/ restaurant establishment process right from construction of the restaurant until opening, supervised shipping all restaurants furniture from UAE to KSA, to hiring/training local staff.
• Acquired first-hand experience before opening the restaurant, went to Dubai for training along with the opening team.
• Opened and managed the second Circle Cafe branch in Khobar and the third Circle Cafe smart kitchen on exit 5 Riyadh and the fourth branch in Antara compound Riyadh.
• Successfully launched a flourishing Catering business, cloud kitchen and created 2 virtual concepts served from the same restaurant kitchen (The Chicken Shop and The Breakfast Shop).
• Instrumental in establishing Spring Cafe - a new local concept while running 3 locations simultaneously, in addition to, a central kitchen that supports all other branches. Managed everything from A to Z of founding a new Café.
• Played a pivotal role in attaining highest monthly sales in all the company branches between KSA and UAE noting that the company in UAE has around 20 branches for circle cafe and Sushi Counter.
• Key Member of the management team, entrusted to support the implementation of lean business strategy and drive benchmarking, cost-saving and continual improvements.
Responsibilities:
• Proffered organizational vision, headship and management oversight required to deliver excellent results and achieve all organizational goals - growth in P&L and Restaurants. Managed Circle cafe (international cuisine) 4 branches and 1 for Sushi Counter (Japanese restaurant) in addition for the central kitchen and the warehouse and the cloud kitchen.
• Directed high-volume operations, igniting performance and propelling bottom-line growth to unparalleled achievements. Ownership of maximizing throughput, improving quality, and service and reducing operating costs.
• Owned responsibility for all aspects of financial, budgetary and P&L performance.
• Visited UAE every 3 to 4 months to check the food standards and the restaurants readiness's and generated reports for the Director of Operations and Restaurant Development Manager in UAE
• Established business plans to deliver, unprecedented growth, registered consistent profitability through effective marketing, judicious financial planning, & maintaining high customer service standards.
• Leveraged entrepreneurial flare to full potential, efficaciously steered consistent and sustainable brand/category growth through the relentless pursuit and support of smart innovation and value-added change.
• Built and strengthened brand equity and drove brand management programs that fuel growth, trust, inspiration and success.
Accomplishments:
• Under my leadership successfully achieved P&L for the robust restaurant chain. Ensured that all restaurants in the area are running smoothly and efficiently.
• Dexterously handled the opening of the first branch at Al Nakheel Mall & second branch at Rafal Kempenski tower and opening two branches for a new concept TAMMRA
• Entrusted with overall responsibility for a number of stores in Riyadh, along with 192+ employees, managed the challenging task in partnership with Company Senior Managers and Branches Managers.
• Efficaciously led the implementation of the Restaurant Manager System which streamlined operations and improved efficiency (open sessions, monitors sales, cost, wastage and inventory) for all Restaurant branches.
• Shouldered the onus for the success of stores by directing all operational aspects of each store and driving sales whilst minimizing costs. Monitor stock control so as to protect company property and assets.
Responsibilities:
• Shaped the company’s strategy for growth, profitability & market leadership. Established and implemented sales targets leading to maximizing sales and profitability.
• Built a holistic marketing plan and executes targeted marketing and demand generation campaigns in priority cities / markets to drive consumer awareness, elevate reputation & shift perception for Chocolate Bar’s portfolio of restaurants.
• Established performance specifications, cost and price parameters, market applications & sales estimates. Encouraged calculated risk-taking to generate incremental revenue.
• Steered futuristic operations to achieve maximum profitability/ performance in areas of customer service, employees, sales/ marketing and health and safety.
• Ensured Store Managers and their staff keep stores to the highest possible standards - well organized and properly merchandised at all times; and that all policies, procedures, and controls were enforced.
• Conducted regular store visits to ensure compliance in all areas of customer service, store operations & loss prevention.
• Initiated the continuous improvement journey and refurbished existing processes through training, goal setting, and hands-on coaching resulting in lower costs.
• Superintended a dynamic team of 70+ comprising of F&B, finance and store-keepers. Empowered teams to change/ improve processes and take appropriate actions to remove barriers and build employee engagement/commitment.
Accomplishments:
• Successfully directed restaurant operations, registered consistent profitability through effective marketing, judicious financial planning & maintaining high customer service values.
• Repositioned the KOSEBASI brand, ignited the brand in the marketplace, and empowered it to be an industry leader.
Responsibilities:
• Established vision, short and long-term strategy, innovative plans and strategic direction that efficaciously repositioned the restaurant for success.
• Directed restaurant operations, identified, targeted and focused resources whilst enhancing sales, business/ strategy development and superior service delivery to ensure absolute customer satisfaction.
• Led the financial management, budgeting and planning processes, systems and controls. Estimated consumption, forecast requirements and maintain inventory. Endeavored optimizing commercial returns in the long term.
• Expounded operational performance of the team through close monitoring, effective coaching, training & role modeling.
Previous Professional Experiences:
• November 2008 - January 2011: Restaurant Manager, ABD EL WAHAB Lebanese Cuisine Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• August 2007 - October 2008: Assistant Restaurant Manager, Mirage Marin Abu Dhabi
• November 2006 - June 2007: Assistant Restaurant Manager, Awtar Restaurant Qatar (pre-opening)
• February 2004 - August 2006: Room Service Assistant Manager, Movenpick Hotel Beirut Lebanon
• 2002 - 2004: Floor Supervisor, Portemilio Hotel Jounieh-Lebanon
• Hospitality Management, LIU, 2005
Hotel Management, Shouf Technical School, 2002