Talent Acquisition Manager FandB Operations

Driven by a passion for creating unique home-grown food concepts, Independent Food Company is a UAE-based hospitality group behind the regions most beloved brands - SALT, Parkers, Somewhere, Public, Kumo, and Shalwa. Each concept is a testament to our commitment to innovative experiences, community connection, and high standards of service.

Independent is for all ambitious people who want to advance in their careers, and we are currently looking for a Talent Acquisition Manager – F&B Operations to join our HR team in our Head Office in Tecom, Dubai.

The Talent Acquisition Manager – F&B Operations is responsible for leading the full talent acquisition function for F&B operations across all brands and locations, ensuring the organization attracts, hires, and retains top-quality talent across frontline, operational, and operations leadership roles. This role combines strategic manpower planning, innovative recruitment approaches, and specialized culinary talent sourcing, including international hiring, to support ongoing operations, new openings, and expansion initiatives. By partnering closely with operations, culinary, and HR teams, ensures timely onboarding, workforce readiness, and a superior candidate experience while maintaining alignment with brand standards and fostering a diverse, high-performing workforce.

This role reports to the Head of Talent Acquisition and manages a team of 3-4 TA/onboarding specialists

Job Responsibilities

End-to-End Recruitment

• Oversee and run the complete recruitment life-cycle for F&B roles across all brands and multiple locations
• Manage hiring for all F&B positions, including frontline, supervisory, managerial, and leadership positions
• Ensure all hires are in-line with brand identity and meet the brand hiring criteria
• Maintain a diverse nationality mix in stores
• Ensure timely closure of all roles while maintaining the quality of hire
  
  

• Partner with operations and business teams to forecast manpower requirements across all levels
• Create and maintain workforce plans for ongoing operations, new openings, and seasonal demands
• Ensure alignment of recruitment pipelines with projected staffing needs
• Track attrition trends and proactively plan replacements to avoid operational gaps
• Support succession planning and career path mapping for critical operational and culinary roles
  
  

• Develop and implement innovative recruitment methods, including open days events with enhanced candidate experience
• Design and execute structured assessment days for operation and culinary roles
• Improve candidate journey from sourcing to onboarding
• Partner with operations teams to create engaging and realistic job previews during hiring events
  
  

• Plan and manage recruitment for new openings, expansion, and seasonal events
• Plan hiring efficiently, covering all recruitment needs with appropriate time considered for onboarding and training
• Coordinate with onboarding, L&D, and operations teams to ensure manpower readiness at launch.
  
  

• Lead head-hunting for critical and niche culinary positions
• Build and maintain strong networks within the culinary community
• Partner closely with culinary leadership to understand skill gaps, concept requirements, and succession planning
• Conduct market mapping and discreet searches for senior and specialist culinary talent
  
  

• Plan and manage overseas recruitment for F&B talent as per business plan
• Coordinate with international recruitment agencies and government entities
• Ensure compliance with visa, labor, and regulatory requirements
• Manage end-to-end overseas hiring
• Proven track record of mass hiring in F&B or hospitality.
• Run hiring campaigns. Attend mass hiring events in F&B in the UAE or overseas
  
  

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Hospitality Management, or related field
• 5-7 years of recruitment experience with significant exposure to hospitality and/or F&B
• Demonstrated success in culinary and senior leadership hiring
• Experience supporting multi-location or international hospitality operations preferred