QahwaBLK

QahwaBLK Syria — Country Operations Manager
Role & Responsibilities

Overview
QahwaBLK is a premium specialty coffee shop concept. We are entering the Syrian market and require a hands-on operator to lead the launch and day-to-day operations of our first location in Damascus, with the mandate to scale to multiple units over time.
Reporting & Location
• Reports to: CEO, BLK Lebanon
• Based in: Damascus, Syria
• Travel: Within Syria as the network expands; occasional trips to Beirut for training and alignment
Key Responsibilities
1. Launch the first QahwaBLK location in Damascus
• Oversee site readiness, fit-out, equipment installation, and final commissioning in coordination with contractors and the Lebanon team
• Manage all licensing, permits, and regulatory approvals required to operate
• Coordinate the soft opening and grand opening, including marketing activation in collaboration with the BLK team in Lebanon
2. Build and lead the local team
• Recruit, hire, and onboard the full operating team: baristas, shift leaders, FOH staff, and back-office support
• Deliver training to QahwaBLK standards (coffee program, service, brand experience), supported by trainers from Lebanon during the launch phase
• Set staff schedules, manage performance, and maintain a strong service culture
3. Own daily operations
• Run day-to-day operations of the shop, including opening/closing, shift management, and customer experience
• Maintain quality standards on coffee, food, service, cleanliness, and ambiance at all times
• Manage inventory, ordering, and stock control across coffee, food, beverages, and consumables
4. Financial and commercial ownership
• Manage the P&L of the Syria operation: revenue, food cost, labor cost, overheads
• Report weekly sales, costs, and operational KPIs to the CEO
• Identify and execute initiatives to grow revenue, improve margins, and reduce waste
5. Supply chain and local partnerships
• Identify and manage local suppliers for dairy, bakery, packaging, and other non-coffee items, ensuring quality and reliability
• Coordinate with the Lebanon team on coffee supply, equipment parts, and proprietary inputs
• Navigate Syrian customs, banking, FX, and payment realities to keep the operation running smoothly
6. Brand and customer experience
• Protect and execute the QahwaBLK brand standards across every customer touchpoint
• Handle customer feedback and complaints, and feed insights back to the Lebanon team
• Support local marketing initiatives and community engagement in coordination with the brand team
7. Expansion
• Scout and evaluate locations for future QahwaBLK shops in Damascus and other Syrian cities
• Lead the opening of additional units once the first location is stable, replicating the model with discipline
Required Profile
• 7–10 years of experience in F&B operations, with at least 3 years in a management role running a café, restaurant, or hospitality unit
• Hands-on operator, comfortable on the floor during launch and operations
• Track record of building and training teams from scratch
• Strong financial discipline: reads a P&L, manages food cost and labor cost, controls waste
• Familiarity with specialty coffee or willingness to be trained quickly on the technical side
• Native Arabic; functional English for internal reporting and brand alignment
Preferred Profile
• Background with a leading Damascus café or hospitality operator, or hotel F&B from a five-star property
• Returning Syrian diaspora with Gulf or Lebanon experience in a known coffee or QSR chain
• Experience opening new units, not only running existing ones
• Established network of suppliers, contractors, and F&B talent in Damascus