Position: Head of Dark Store 
Hours: Full Time
Department: Dark Store 
Location: Dubai, UAE
 
We are re-shaping Grocery Industry! 
At elGrocer by Smiles, we're reshaping how groceries reach you. Based in the UAE, we’re not just an online grocery platform—we’re one of the fastest-growing e-commerce companies, and part of the e& Group.
Our mission is simple: to create a world where everyone has access to the food they love and more time to enjoy it together.
But the journey to get groceries delivered in as little as an hour isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. It involves overcoming challenges like re-routing deliveries during sandstorms and scorching summers, connecting customers with personalized coupons and exclusive deals, and updating over half a billion grocery data lines every single night.
At elGrocer by Smiles, we’re more than just a delivery service. We’re building the operating system for the grocery industry, working tirelessly to make your life simpler and more enjoyable.
Think it’s challenging? It is! But solving these problems is what allows our customers to reclaim precious time and do more of what they love.
  
About the Role:
We are seeking a highly organized and proactive Head of Darkstore to oversee and streamline the day-to-day operations of our dark stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This role is critical in ensuring smooth warehouse management, timely order fulfillment, and maintaining operational efficiency to support our grocery delivery business. The ideal candidate will have experience in warehouse operations, strong leadership skills, and a passion for optimizing logistics processes.
Key Responsibilities:
Manage daily operations of warehouses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, ensuring orders are picked, packed, and dispatched efficiently. Coordinate warehouse activities including Inbound, stock replenishment, inventory management, and quality control to minimize errors and waste.
Lead and supervise warehouse staff by providing regular training, conducting performance evaluations, and fostering a productive and motivated work environment.
Collaborate with the logistics team to streamline order fulfillment timelines and enhance packaging standards, especially for chilled and frozen goods, to maintain product quality and customer satisfaction.
Monitor and analyze operational KPIs such as order accuracy, fulfillment time, inventory turnover, shrinkage, and wastage; implement corrective actions as needed. Ensure full compliance with health, safety, and security protocols across all warehouse operations.
Coordinate with the commercial and marketing teams to accurately forecast demand and always ensure adequate stock availability.
Address escalations and operational issues in coordination with the customer service team to minimize disruptions and maintain service levels.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives by improving the picker app and processes, automation opportunities, and best practices adoption.
Maintain strong working relationships with 3PL human resources partners, ensuring staffing can be scaled up or down based on seasonal demand without additional cost.
Share monthly attendance with suppliers. Ensure supplier work sheets are accurately verified and approved before passing invoices to finance for processing.
Coordinate with suppliers and service providers to establish and manage AMC contracts related to warehouse maintenance, including waste management, pest control, AC and cooling systems, electrical works, and civil repairs.
Maintain familiarity with suppliers for backup generators and 3PL storage providers to ensure swift response and contingency support during unexpected events or operational disruptions.
Requirements:
Holds a bachelor’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain, with experience managing a warehouse spanning over 15,000 sq. ft. and handling a diverse inventory of 12,000+ SKUs.
Minimum 5-7 years of experience in warehouse, dark store, or grocery operations, preferably in a supervisory or managerial role.
Strong understanding of inventory management, logistics, customer service and order fulfillment processes.
Proven leadership and team management skills. Excellent problem-solving and organizational abilities. Proficient in MS Office and warehouse management systems (WMS).
Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.