Junaid Khan

4+ years’ early-career experience in the hospitality sector starting up and growing a café-to-restaurant business in Abu Dhabi. Ran the business day-to-day and strategically, maintaining profitability until departure. Now completing an MBA in the UK, taken to build strong foundation in management principles and practice, and seeking a next-step management role ideally within the consultancy field.

Restaurant Operations Manager, Universal Café, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Jan 17-Sep 21

Set up and ran this restaurant from pop-up café to restaurant serving mainly Asian expat customers.

Operations Management

• Managed the business day-to-day including all front-and-back-of-house operations from stock ordering and control to cleanliness standards to service standards and processes to staff management. 

• Grew the business in a stagnant market period by (i) targeting new niche market – securing catering contracts for the supply of Indian-style afternoon tea with two prestigious ‘Britishers’ resorts for expats; and (ii) changing operating patterns, extending opening hours to 4am weekdays to attract a younger ‘clubbing’ age group.

• Managed finances day-to-day and strategically – monitoring cash flow and accounts. 
• Took the business to break-even within 14 months, achieving and maintaining profitability via cost control measures including portion/quantity reviews, minimizing waste and improvement of preparation processes in addition to business development. 

• Tracked the competitor market for customer tastes, and sourced particular ‘niche’ products eg a particular Indian-style tea with a twist that drew customers and word-of-mouth reputation.

• Sourced, hired, trained and managed a small team of 7 staff across the whole restaurant operation, setting and managing work schedules and shifts, and training and monitoring customer service standards. 

• 6-month contract with this organisation that brought Shakespeare performed by Bollywood actors to schools and universities, recruiting and managing 50+ volunteers and engaging directly with universities and schools. 

• Three years part-time experience for electronics and fashion brands including Samsung, Monsoon Fashions, Western Digital, Zaks Uniforms at venues including Abu Dhabi International Airport and Gulf Information Tech Exhibition. 

• Worked in the Risk Management Department screening property and motor claims, personally conducting claimant screening interview calls.

• MBA, University of Surrey, UK, Sep 21-Sep 22
• BA Business Administration, Manipal University, Dubai, UAE, 2013-17