Since launching in Kuwait in 2004, talabat, the leading on-demand food and Q-commerce app for everyday deliveries, has been offering convenience and reliability to its customers. talabat’s local roots run deep, offering a real understanding of the needs of the communities we serve in eight countries across the region.
We harness innovative technology and knowledge to simplify everyday life for our customers, optimize operations for our restaurants and local shops, and provide our riders with reliable earning opportunities daily.
Here at talabat, we are building a high performance culture through engaged workforce and growing talent density. We're all about keeping it real and making a difference. Our 6,000+ strong talabaty are on an awesome mission to spread positive vibes. We are proud to be a multi great place to work award winner.
We are currently seeking a visionary leader to lead the regional function for the grocery and retail vertical (local shops), with responsibility for driving growth, efficiency, and innovation across 8 markets. The local shops business is a marketplace that connects our customers to their favourite neighbourhood supermarkets, specialty stores, pharmacies and more.
Reporting to the SVP of Quick Commerce, you will work alongside the senior leadership team, function heads, and market heads while directly managing team performance, operations excellence and commercial excellence. This role will work closely with the Senior Director of Local shops who manages the head of local shops in each country.
Key areas of responsibility:
Strategic leadership:
Define and implement comprehensive strategies for the groceries and retail vertical across all 8 markets, while working closely with the senior director of local shops
Develop and manage Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) to ensure measurable progress and success
Collaborate with market leaders and other regional functions to align strategies with overall business objectives
Business Growth:
Drive revenue growth by identifying new market opportunities and expanding service offerings, shape scalable solutions for improved choice and offering across all verticals
Develop solutions and frameworks to improve vendor offering and experience to strengthen marketplace dynamics
Analyse market trends and consumer behaviour across markets to reach and maintain leadership position
Operational Excellence:
Drive operational efficiency across the region, identifying and implementing best practices
Standardize processes across markets to ensure consistency and improve performance
Optimize order fulfilment and delivery processes for better customer experience and reduced costs
Product and Technology Innovation:
Work closely with Product teams to enhance the user experience
Implement data-driven decision-making processes across the region, leveraging analytics to improve operations and customer satisfaction.
Explore and implement innovative solutions and automations across different parts of the business
Team Leadership:
Lead and develop a high-performing team of directors and senior managers as leads of function
Cultivate a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
Act as a mentor and coach to nurture talent within the organization
10+ years of experience in leading functions or business units. Previous experience in management consulting or e-commerce/quick commerce will be an added advantage.
Proven track record of developing and executing successful strategies in a multi-market environment.
Strong understanding of the groceries, retail, and food delivery landscape across diverse markets.
Experience with operations management, business growth strategies, and profitability optimization.
Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and align stakeholders at all levels and manage senior leadership
Demonstrated ability to drive operational efficiency and standardize processes across complex organizations.
Experience in setting and managing OKRs and KPIs.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
Excellent communication skills in English; additional regional languages are a plus.
MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.