Regional Food Commercial Leader | Retail | IKEA Regional Office Jebel Ali

Job Requisition ID: 183292

About Al-Futtaim
Established in the 1930s, Al-Futtaim is one of the most diversified and progressive privately held regional businesses, headquartered in Dubai. Operating across more than 20 countries, the Group spans automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and health. With more than 40,000 employees, Al-Futtaim represents over 200 of the world’s most recognised brands, including Toyota, Lexus, IKEA, ACE and Marks & Spencer. Driven by its purpose to enrich lives and elevate communities, Al-Futtaim focuses on digital innovation, AI, sustainable growth and strategic partnerships, creating long-term value for customers, communities and partners while building a responsible legacy for future generations.

Overview Of The Role:
The Regional Food Commercial Leader assists the Regional Food Commercial Manager in securing a commercial and operational IKEA Food strategy that meets quality, food safety, and environmental requirements. They work collaboratively with store Food teams and other colleagues in the IKEA Food Service Office team to emphasize the importance of food in attracting, engaging, and driving visitor satisfaction, while optimizing sales, gross margin, and profit. The role involves strengthening food commercial competence and leading initiatives to address key gaps in food commercial and sales performance, enhancing effectiveness and efficiency.

What You Will Do:

Commercial

• Integrate food into activity commercial calendar by collaborating with stakeholders within and outside the Commercial team.

• Plan, conduct, and follow-up on commercial performance reviews to ensure performance excellence throughout the year.

• Implement a common food commercial framework and KPIs adapting to local legislation and laws.

• Lead food experience improvements and drive food innovation.

• Ensure IKEA Food department attracts visitors, achieves sales growth, maintains profitability, and ensures customer satisfaction as measured by KPIs such as control overall operating costs, service level, and food safety standards.

• Utilize reporting tools like Navision and Functional Commercial Review to develop the IKEA Food business.
Operations

• Develop mechanisms to ensure guests are always in focus, serving them with empathy and care.

• Regularly observe restaurants and food areas from customers' perspectives, engage in dialogues to gather feedback and act on it.

• Use tools like Profit & Loss, KPI-report, and Operational Review to challenge stores and monitor performance.

• Implement IKEA FOOD concept to increase home furnishing product sales and support IKEA's leading position.

• Cooperate actively with key stakeholders within commercial and beyond to secure integration.

• Promote sustainability within food sourcing, circularity in production, and the use of sustainable materials and services.

• Monitor and challenge costs regionally by working lean and cost-consciously, sharing good examples and exploring smarter working methods.

• Consolidate and update store services/products to assist guests effectively.
People

• Empower and encourage Restaurant Managers and Co-workers to take action meeting guests' needs and provide input for continuous improvement.

• Provide training for restaurant managers to enhance productivity.

Required Skills To Be Successful:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to build working relationships and lead by example.

• Proven leadership abilities with a focus on individual accountability and continuous improvement.

• Capability to embody IKEA values and promote diversity among co-workers and visitors.

What Qualifies You For The Role:

• High School or Trade School Graduate, preferably in hotel, business, or culinary studies.

• Minimum of 3-5 years of food service manager experience, preferably in a high-volume business.

• Interest and knowledge of the culinary or food service industry.

• Strong customer focus and ability to work in a high-volume, fast-paced retail environment.

• Multitasking capabilities and proficiency in MS Office and data analysis.
About Al-Futtaim Retail

At Al-Futtaim Retail, we are part of a 90-year legacy built on ambition, progress and long-term vision. As one of the region’s leading retail operators, we partner with some of the world’s most trusted brands – including IKEA, ACE, Marks & Spencer and the Inditex Group – bringing global excellence to customers across MENA and Southeast Asia.

We don’t just operate stores; we shape retail experiences. From launching brands like Watsons and Kiabi to our regions for the first time, to investing in digital innovation, AI capabilities, the customer experience and loyalty platforms, we are constantly redefining the future of retail.

With over 100 nationalities spread across more than 10 countries, our strength lies in our diverse and collaborative community. Here, you’re equipped to turn your ambition into action, building the career you want, while helping us move retail forwards.

Join us and be part of The Heart of Tomorrow.