Operations Manager - Dark Store Grocery

About the role

Keemart is looking for an experienced Operations Manager / Area Manager to oversee its dark store operations across Kuwait. The role suits someone with a strong background in grocery retail operations who has managed multiple stores, led operational teams and driven performance in inventory management, order fulfilment, product availability and customer experience. The manager ensures operational excellence across the dark store network, implements standardized processes, optimizes efficiency and supports the company's expansion in the Kuwaiti market.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and performance of multiple dark stores, keeping service standards consistent.
• Manage end-to-end grocery operations: receiving, storage, replenishment, picking, packing, dispatch and inventory control.
• Drive inventory management: stock accuracy, expiry date monitoring, FIFO/FEFO compliance, waste reduction, shrinkage control and stock replenishment.
• Monitor and improve KPIs such as order fulfilment time, picking accuracy, order cancellation rate, stock availability, inventory accuracy, productivity and customer satisfaction.
• Lead, coach and develop store managers and operational teams, with clear accountability and effective workforce planning.
• Establish standardized operational procedures across dark stores to improve productivity, reduce costs and raise service quality.
• Work with supply chain, procurement, merchandising, last-mile delivery and commercial teams to coordinate operations and solve challenges.
• Analyze operational data, prepare performance reports and build improvement plans.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and storage standards for fresh, chilled, frozen and ambient products.
• Support the launch and setup of new dark stores, including team deployment and process implementation.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, Supply Chain Management or a related field.
• At least 5 years in grocery retail, supermarket, convenience store or food retail operations, with at least 2 years in a managerial or multi-store supervisory role.
• Proven experience managing multiple retail outlets, supermarkets, grocery stores or dark stores.
• Fluent English; Arabic is an advantage.
• Familiarity with the Kuwaiti retail market; experience in supermarket chains, hypermarkets, grocery delivery platforms or organized food retail is preferred.

Required skills

• Grocery inventory management, replenishment, FIFO/FEFO, expiry management, shrinkage control and fresh food handling.
• Retail operational KPIs, order fulfilment, workforce productivity, cost control and performance management.
• Leadership and people management of multiple teams and store managers.
• Data analysis and reporting; experience with retail management systems, WMS, ERP or BI tools is an advantage.