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. 

Business Development

• 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.

Financial Management

• 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. 

Supply / Procurement 

• 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.

Team Leadership

• 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. 

Team Leader, Shakespeare Comedy Theatre Festival, Abu Dhabi, 2016-17

• 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. 

Sales Executive/Retail Merchandiser, Various Retailers, Abu Dhabi, 2014-16

• 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. 

Summer Intern, RAK Insurance, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Jul 15-Sep 15

• 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