Chief Executive Officer - UAE | Healthcare & Institutional Catering

Chief Executive Officer - UAE | Healthcare & Institutional Catering

My client is a new player in the market, but they have a solid backing and European presence with contracts mobilising later this year already.

We are seeking an experienced and highly operational Chief Executive Officer to lead the establishment and growth of the UAE business, with an immediate focus on building a high-quality, commercially sustainable healthcare and institutional catering operation.

This is a hands-on leadership role. The successful candidate will be expected to work closely with operational teams and be directly involved in contract mobilisation, kitchen and production efficiency, staffing, procurement, food costing, quality, client relationships and service delivery.

The Role

The CEO will take overall responsibility for the UAE operation, driving both its commercial performance and operational excellence.

Key priorities will include:

Establishing and scaling the UAE healthcare catering businessLeading contract mobilisation and operational start-upDriving food production, quality, cost control and service standardsBuilding and developing high-performing multicultural teamsManaging budgets, P&L and overall commercial performanceLeading procurement, tendering, costing and contract negotiationsDeveloping strong relationships with healthcare clients and senior stakeholdersImplementing SOPs, controls and performance management systemsIdentifying and resolving operational challenges directly and decisivelyBuilding a scalable platform for future growth

About You

We are looking for a proven senior operator with a strong background in:

Healthcare or hospital cateringLarge-scale institutional or contract cateringManaging complex catering operations and teamsMobilising and establishing new contractsImproving operational efficiency and profitabilityFood production, food safety, procurement and labour managementP&L ownership and commercial managementTendering, costing and contract negotiationBuilding SOPs, controls and performance frameworksClient and senior stakeholder managementUAE or wider GCC operations and business practices

You will be a hands-on, commercially minded leader who is comfortable being close to the operation and solving problems personally when required.

Most importantly, you will have a demonstrable track record of building, improving, scaling or turning around a catering operation.

This is an opportunity to join an ambitious group at the beginning of its UAE journey and play a pivotal role in building the platform, team and operating culture from the ground up.

Get in touch: michelle@corecruitment.com