A renowned, highly invested artisanal café and bakery group in the Western Cape Winelands, operating across 7 popular flagship locations, is seeking an experienced Operational Exec to lead total multi-site operations, drive P&L performance, and elevate store-level execution. This is a permanent, full-time role offering schedule autonomy with core working hours of 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday (with operational flexibility aligned with daytime café trade). The role operates without a static central office and is structured as approximately 70% in-field store presence (auditing standards, mentoring managers, resolving escalations) and approximately 30% flexible remote/work-from-home for administrative duties and P&L reporting.
This multi-site leadership role covers 7 locations across Cape Town and the Winelands (Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Durbanville, and Sea Point). Daily store opening routines are managed on-site by Store Managers and the field ops team, allowing the COO full autonomy to organise their schedule across store visits and remote admin work.
Employing 76 staff and focusing exclusively on daytime trading windows (breakfast & lunch trade; no late-night dinner service), the group combines high-volume operational complexity with a premium lifestyle brand identity. Backed by a prominent investment holding group, the business is primed for operational optimisation, culture alignment, and strategic store rollout expansion.
Role Overview:
The Operational Exec holds ultimate operational accountability for the total business. Serving as the executive operational lead, you will bridge high-level holding company strategy with multi-site store execution. Each café is managed on-site by its own Store Manager and supported by a dedicated 3-person field operations team.
Key Strategic & Operational Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Growth
- Partner with the Holding Company Board to refine and execute long-term vision, brand identity, and multi-site expansion strategies.
- Identify new café site opportunities, evaluate new revenue streams, and analyze market trends to maintain a competitive edge.
Financial, Cost Control & Commercial Management
- Hold ultimate P&L ownership, driving revenue while strictly managing prime costs (COGS, labor, and controllable store overheads).
- Partner with the group Financial Manager to review monthly financial performance, cash flow forecasts, and detailed variance reports against budget.
- Negotiate commercial leases, vendor contracts, and supplier agreements to maintain targeted gross profit margins despite supply chain fluctuations.
- Implement rigorous inventory audits, labor scheduling protocols, and waste management controls without compromising product quality.
Operational Compliance & Workflow Optimization
- Oversee daily operational checklists, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and quality assurance programs.
- Conduct periodic spot-checks on store opening procedures and maintain strict compliance with municipal bylaws, health & safety regulations, and F&B licensing requirements.
- Optimize Front-of-House (FOH) and Back-of-House (BOH) workflows to maximize throughput and customer efficiency during peak morning/lunch trading hours.
Executive Team Leadership & Culture
- Direct, mentor, and retain top-tier talent across all store managers and field operations teams using a "firm but fair" leadership style.
- Establish a high-performance culture built on clear authority, accountability, and open communication.
- Set staff KPIs, conduct regular performance coaching, oversee payroll scheduling, and hold final authority over all staff disciplinary matters.
Customer Experience & Seasonal Menu Oversight
- Maintain ultimate accountability for customer touchpoints, escalated feedback, and structural service improvements.
- Ensure FOH furniture and BOH commercial equipment (espresso machinery, kitchen hardware, HVAC) are maintained and repaired promptly.
- Take overall responsibility for twice-yearly seasonal menu rollouts (Spring and Autumn), ensuring items are on-trend, accurately costed, and aligned with brand identity.
Marketing, Loyalty & B2B Partnerships
- Oversee outsourced marketing teams to execute campaigns that maximize foot traffic, ROI, and brand visibility.
- Guide digital marketing strategies (social media, influencer partnerships, targeted ads) and seasonal loyalty programs.
- Develop local B2B relationships and community partnerships across the Winelands and Cape Town.
New Café Builds & Fit-Out Project Management
- Oversee end-to-end project management for new store builds—from site selection and lease signing through to grand opening.
- Collaborate with architects, interior designers, and contractors to ensure physical layouts optimize customer flow and meet brand aesthetic.
- Manage capital expenditure (capex) fit-out budgets, securing local zoning, heritage, health, and fire clearances.
Requirements
- Proven Track Record: 10+ years of senior operational leadership experience within multi-unit F&B, premium casual dining, or high-volume café/QSR groups.
- Education & Qualifications: A relevant tertiary qualification in Business Management, Hospitality Management, or Commerce is advantageous, but substantial hands-on multi-site F&B operational leadership (10+ years) is the primary requirement.
- Leadership Style: A visible, "lead-by-example" executive with the gravitas to command respect, stamp authority on store teams, and navigate complex labor dynamics.
- Entrepreneurial Ownership Mindset: Thinks like a business owner—exhibits razor-sharp attention to detail, excels at delegating tasks while tracking accountability, and manages multi-faceted operational priorities simultaneously.
- Field Mobility: Cape Town or Winelands based with a valid driver's license and full mobility to travel between stores.
Benefits
- Package: R75,000 – R80,000 CTC per month (dependent on experience).
- Incentives: Annual performance-linked bonus structured around group P&L targets and operational KPIs.
- Travel Reimbursement: Business travel paid for store visits.
- Work Structure: Flexible hybrid option for admin and financial reporting.
- Lifestyle Advantage: Exclusive daytime trading windows (no late-night restaurant shifts).
