Head of Food & Hospitality Business Job Vacancy in UAE Dubai
Posted date [2025-02-28]
(ID: 33669)
 |
Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim is one of the most progressive regional family business houses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. |
Head of Food & Hospitality Business
Job Overview:
Al-Futtaim Group is seeking an experienced Head of Food & Hospitality Business to deliver a strategic model ensuring a profitable stand-alone business across 7 markets (UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, KSA). This leadership role involves full P&L responsibility, business planning, commercial strategy, and operational excellence to transform the M&S food business in line with the new Retail Food Strategy. The ideal candidate will drive growth through innovative product development, supply chain efficiency, and multi-channel expansion while maintaining brand integrity and customer-centric values.
Job Location: Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Job Industry: Retail / Food and Hospitality
Job Function: Strategic Business Management and Development
Salary: Competitive with performance-based incentives and comprehensive benefits package
Gender: Any
Key Responsibilities:
Business Planning:
- Report directly to the GM – M&S, with full P&L responsibility to plan and manage new business development opportunities supporting M&S\'s 5-year growth plan.
- Transform M&S food business in line with the new Retail Food Strategy.
- Define and develop a local sourcing supplier network to create a profitable model that drives scale and efficiency.
- Liaise with M&S UK to deliver the AFG M&S Food business plan and influence product offerings.
- Collaborate with Global BPOs for Planning, Marketing, and Operations to understand customer demands and consumption habits.
- Lead the Food Buying Team to maximize sales through a customer-focused, well-priced product range and catalogue.
- Utilize artificial intelligence and data analytics to drive performance and reduce costs.
Commercial Strategy:
- Deliver the vision and strategy of M&S Food from an International Retail perspective.
- Lead the commercial food agenda, ensuring alignment across all markets.
- Collaborate with Retail Digital MD to drive digital innovation and growth for the food business.
- Drive consistent and measurable standards of customer service across all MENA M&S Food stores and Food halls.
- Establish solid visual merchandising capable of delivering inspirational, easy-to-shop Food halls and stores.
- Promote M&S brand values while ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and good corporate governance practices.
Financial Accountability:
- Accountable for Food P&L across MENA markets.
- Monitor costs and ensure profitability while establishing cost-controlling practices for sustainable growth.
- Develop value-added corporate models to engage and influence principals for a sustainable business model.
Corporate and Brand Integrity:
- Ensure M&S Brand integrity across all markets, levels, and touchpoints.
- Promote Brand and Corporate Values throughout the organization.
- Maintain strong relationships with Principal Executives from M&S UK.
Business Growth / New Markets & Channels:
- Explore growth opportunities, including new food formats, new territories, and digital channels.
- Develop and execute strategic roadmaps for new store formats and market entries.
- Ensure successful market entry in line with brand requirements and regional legislation.
Required Skills and Experience:
Education:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, or a related field.
Experience:
- 16+ years of experience, with at least 5 years in a senior management role.
- Proven experience in food trading, with a strong understanding of market dynamics and regulatory requirements.
- Hands-on experience in food innovation, product development, and new market launches.
- Expertise in food sourcing and supply chain management for quality, cost efficiency, and timely delivery.
- Experience in a multi-channel and multi-geography retail environment.
- Proven leadership in managing cross-functional teams with a workforce exceeding 1300 people.
- Successful delivery of financial budgets and key performance indicators across multiple markets.
Skills:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong commercial acumen and understanding of global and regional macroeconomic indicators.
- Deep expertise and passion for the food retail business.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Proficient in data analytics and artificial intelligence for performance optimization.
- Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic business environment.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary with performance-based incentives and comprehensive benefits package.
- Opportunities for career growth and leadership development within Al-Futtaim Group.
- Dynamic and innovative work environment fostering continuous learning and collaboration.
- Exposure to international markets and strategic business management.
- Comprehensive health insurance and a supportive work-life balance.
About the company
Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Structured into five operating divisions: automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare, Al-Futtaim Group employs over 35,000 people across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
Partnering with over 200 of the world’s most admired and innovative brands, Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enable the organization to grow and expand while responding to the changing needs of customers.
By upholding its values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of its customers every day.
Job Overview:
Al-Futtaim Group is seeking an experienced Head of Food & Hospitality Business to deliver a strategic model ensuring a profitable stand-alone business across 7 markets (UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, KSA). This leadership role involves full P&L responsibility, business planning, commercial strategy, and operational excellence to transform the M&S food business in line with the new Retail Food Strategy. The ideal candidate will drive growth through innovative product development, supply chain efficiency, and multi-channel expansion while maintaining brand integrity and customer-centric values.
Job Location: Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Job Industry: Retail / Food and Hospitality
Job Function: Strategic Business Management and Development
Salary: Competitive with performance-based incentives and comprehensive benefits package
Gender: Any
Key Responsibilities:
Business Planning:
- Report directly to the GM – M&S, with full P&L responsibility to plan and manage new business development opportunities supporting M&S\'s 5-year growth plan.
- Transform M&S food business in line with the new Retail Food Strategy.
- Define and develop a local sourcing supplier network to create a profitable model that drives scale and efficiency.
- Liaise with M&S UK to deliver the AFG M&S Food business plan and influence product offerings.
- Collaborate with Global BPOs for Planning, Marketing, and Operations to understand customer demands and consumption habits.
- Lead the Food Buying Team to maximize sales through a customer-focused, well-priced product range and catalogue.
- Utilize artificial intelligence and data analytics to drive performance and reduce costs.
Commercial Strategy:
- Deliver the vision and strategy of M&S Food from an International Retail perspective.
- Lead the commercial food agenda, ensuring alignment across all markets.
- Collaborate with Retail Digital MD to drive digital innovation and growth for the food business.
- Drive consistent and measurable standards of customer service across all MENA M&S Food stores and Food halls.
- Establish solid visual merchandising capable of delivering inspirational, easy-to-shop Food halls and stores.
- Promote M&S brand values while ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and good corporate governance practices.
Financial Accountability:
- Accountable for Food P&L across MENA markets.
- Monitor costs and ensure profitability while establishing cost-controlling practices for sustainable growth.
- Develop value-added corporate models to engage and influence principals for a sustainable business model.
Corporate and Brand Integrity:
- Ensure M&S Brand integrity across all markets, levels, and touchpoints.
- Promote Brand and Corporate Values throughout the organization.
- Maintain strong relationships with Principal Executives from M&S UK.
Business Growth / New Markets & Channels:
- Explore growth opportunities, including new food formats, new territories, and digital channels.
- Develop and execute strategic roadmaps for new store formats and market entries.
- Ensure successful market entry in line with brand requirements and regional legislation.
Required Skills and Experience:
Education:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, or a related field.
Experience:
- 16+ years of experience, with at least 5 years in a senior management role.
- Proven experience in food trading, with a strong understanding of market dynamics and regulatory requirements.
- Hands-on experience in food innovation, product development, and new market launches.
- Expertise in food sourcing and supply chain management for quality, cost efficiency, and timely delivery.
- Experience in a multi-channel and multi-geography retail environment.
- Proven leadership in managing cross-functional teams with a workforce exceeding 1300 people.
- Successful delivery of financial budgets and key performance indicators across multiple markets.
Skills:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong commercial acumen and understanding of global and regional macroeconomic indicators.
- Deep expertise and passion for the food retail business.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Proficient in data analytics and artificial intelligence for performance optimization.
- Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic business environment.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary with performance-based incentives and comprehensive benefits package.
- Opportunities for career growth and leadership development within Al-Futtaim Group.
- Dynamic and innovative work environment fostering continuous learning and collaboration.
- Exposure to international markets and strategic business management.
- Comprehensive health insurance and a supportive work-life balance.
About the company
Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Structured into five operating divisions: automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare, Al-Futtaim Group employs over 35,000 people across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
Partnering with over 200 of the world’s most admired and innovative brands, Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enable the organization to grow and expand while responding to the changing needs of customers.
By upholding its values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of its customers every day.
