Kitchen Production Team Leader Retail IKEA Al Ain

Job Requisition ID: 172512

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 A”rab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the worlds most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organisation to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Overview Of the Role:

The Kitchen Production Team Leader is responsible for assisting the IFB Manager/Team Leader in executing the IKEA Food Service concept in the IKEA Swedish deli, aligning with IKEAs concept, and ensuring the kitchen and production operate at the highest standards. The role involves supervising daily operations to strengthen IKEAs position as the leading home furnishing store in the market, while managing resources including a team of direct reports and overseeing financial dimensions.

What You Will Do:

Customer Experience

• Ensure our guests are always in focus and strive to make them smile. Meet and serve our guests with empathy and care, listening and supporting them with an attitude based on IKEA values.
• Lead by example and act as a good ambassador for the IKEA store in all contact with our guests, providing a reason for them to return.
• Engage in daily dialogue with guests to gather feedback about their experiences and learn about their needs and wants, and act based on their input.
• Empower and encourage the team to take immediate action to meet the needs of guests and continuously improve interactions.
• Ensure guests have a great shopping experience throughout the day and handle customer complaints proactively with timely resolution.
  
  

Commercial Performance

• Secure local adaptation of global and country directions to deliver on the business agenda, ensuring sustainability performance and resource alignment.
• Stay updated on current and upcoming trends in the market; conduct periodic competition surveys.
• Align the range and menu as per RSO direction, ensuring awareness and achievement of relevant KPIs.
• Analyze reports like stock reports and monthly KPIs, taking actions to improve performance.
• Responsible for monthly stock takes, maintaining stock par levels, purchasing, reordering, and stock rotation (FIFO).
  
  

Team Development

• Commit to the development and training of co-workers, ensuring they understand the IKEA Concept and their roles.
• Train co-workers in working with the Swedish and local range according to recipes.
• Empower, support, and coach co-workers on the job to improve performance and growth.
• Create an environment with a strong IKEA culture/values and appreciate diversity.
• Manage staff rosters, handle staffing problems, and coordinate with the senior team for training to increase productivity.
  
  

Operational Excellence

• Develop and manage the HACCP system and ensure IKEA Food Safety programs are implemented and followed.
• Perform random food safety checks and ensure all food incidents are reported to the Regional Service Office promptly.
• Ensure all equipment and machinery operate at high standards, securing frequent preventive maintenance.
• Implement, develop and monitor food safety and hygiene standards to ensure a safe environment for customers and co-workers.
• Direct the preparation, cooking, and presentation of culinary dishes while enforcing health and hygiene standards.
  
  

Business Strategy and Performance

• Work actively towards a high-performing IKEA store that attracts visitors, achieves sales growth, and maintains profitable operations.
• Collaborate with IFB Team Leader to enhance synergy between Food Service and Swedish Food Market.
• Ensure efficient organization of the business area relating to financial performance including gross profit, costs, and productivity levels.
• Organize planned and random product analyses and stay updated on food safety legislation.
• Ensure all IKEA Food co-workers are familiar with CASY incident reporting and emergency management procedures.
  
  

Required Skills To Be Successful:

• Advanced Food Handler certification with thorough knowledge of HACCP standards.
• Strong leadership skills with proven ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building effective relationships.
• Analytical skills with the ability to manage KPIs and implement improvements.
  
  

What Qualifies You For The Role:

• Minimum of 2-3 years of food production and service supervisory experience, preferably in a high-volume business.
• High School/Trade School Graduate, preferably in hotel, business, or culinary program of study.
• Advanced Food Handler certification and knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards as per HACCP.
• Strong customer focus with the ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume retail environment.
  
  

We’re here to provide excellent service but a little help from you can ensure a five-star candidate experience from start to finish.

Before you click “apply”: Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

As part of our candidate experience promise, we also want to make ourselves available to you throughout the application process. We make every effort to review and respond to every application.

---