Andrew Cullen

CONTACT Andrew Cullen Dubai, UAE 00971 -- SKILLS • • • • • • • • • • • • • Strategic planning Budget management Supply chain management Process optimisation Project coordination Risk assessment Contract negotiation Data analysis Staff recruitment Sales forecasting Marketing strategy development Pre opening restaurant project management F&B Concept creation PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Accomplished professional with expertise in strategic planning, budget management, and supply chain management. Demonstrates a proven ability to optimise processes, coordinate projects, and conduct risk assessments to drive operational efficiency. Skilled in contract negotiation, data analysis, and staff recruitment, with a strong background in sales forecasting and marketing strategy development. Experienced in pre-opening restaurant project management and F&B concept creation, delivering innovative solutions tailored to business needs. Committed to leveraging extensive skills to achieve organisational growth and success. WORK HISTORY Director of Operations The Spaniel - Dubai, UAE • • • • • In this role I initially worked as a consultant before joining as Director of Operations. Consultant : Initial location sourcing and feasibility. Concept development including first draft food and beverage menu concept and restaurant i.d. including the name. Consultant, Pre -opening; Interior design assistance & Operation flow. Dining Room & Bar layout. functionality. Purchasing and sourcing advisement. Recruiting & Leadership development. Positioning & formalizing operational standards. Marketing - PR strategy & Brand book collaboration Post opening Operations Director from October 2024; · Oversee F&B operations. Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure safety and sanitation standards are met.Train and evaluate staff performance, and provide feedback and disciplinary action when needed. Develop and manage budgets and analyze financial statements. Monitor vendor and supplier performance to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness. Monitor customer feedback and implement improvement strategies Website: https://www.instagram.com/thespanieldxb Operations & Business Development Manager Khansaheb Lifestyle - Dubai, UAE • • 09/2023 - Current 10/2020 - 10/2024 I was heading up the F&B division for Khansaheb for four years. Over this time I opened eleven outlets, increasing the revenue from 1MM to 20MM. As Operations Manager : Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure safety and sanitation standards are met. Train and evaluate staff performance, and provide feedback and disciplinary action when needed. Develop and manage budgets and analyze financial statements. Monitor vendor and supplier performance to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness. Monitor customer feedback and implement improvement strategies Website: https://www.instagram.com/trouvaille_ae/ Director of Retail Brand Development/Venues Management 06/2020 Dubai World Trade Centre - Dubai, UAE 05/2017 - • • I was head of the Retail F&B division for Dubai World Trade Centre for four years. I oversaw and managed seventeen outlets ranging from Fine Dining to QSR managing a team of 90 and delivering an annual budget of 30MM. I also developed new food & beverage concepts for Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Exhibition Centre and Expo 2020 Dubai Website: https://www.dwtc.com/en/facilities/ Senior Operations Manager Meraas Holdings - Dubai, UAE • • • • • • • • My job was to create and develop new F&B concepts for the Meraas malls. I created four unique restaurant concepts and two retail stores. I then worked as a project manager delivering the concepts to opening, involved in the recruitment and financial planning of the outlets. https://www.instagram.com/ /?hl= boutiquelechocolat en https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK71jy3Mka8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiDDFWqqOA0 https://megsblogged.com/2018/04/17/cocoa-kitchen-city-walk-dubai/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVSu2qliSnc https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/-/bvgariil-cioccolatocity-walk-dubai/ https://lastexit.ae/en/locations/al-qudra Director of Restaurant Development MEA Hilton Worldwide: The Restaurant Group - Dubai, UAE • 02/2015 - 03/2017 04/2014 - 02/2015 In this role I created new restaurant concepts for Hilton hotels in the Middle East and Africa. I also introduced potential leasing partners & 3rd party operators, reviewing concepts & business plans. Director of Operations 02/2011 - 03/2014 Caprice Holdings MENA c/o Jumeirah Restaurants - Dubai, UAE • • • • • I was heading up the launch of the Caprice Holdings brand restaurants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Over this time I opened four award winning restaurants with an annual budget of 30MM. https://www.instagram.com/theivydubai/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/-/rivington-grillsouk-al-bahar-dubai/ https://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/food-features/37892-scotts-fromlondon-to-abu-dhabi https://www.timeoutdubai.com/restaurants/rivington-bar-and-grillmadinat-jumeirah General Manager 01/2006 - 01/2011 Bilsons Restaurant - Sydney, Australia I worked as General Manager in this award winning fine dining restaurant. General Manager 01/2005 - 01/2006 Bayswater Brasserie - Sydney, Australia I worked as General Manager in this iconic Sydney restaurant & bar. General Manager 01/1995 - 01/2005 Caprice Holdings - London, United Kingdom During my time with Caprice Holding I worked my way from Waiter to General Manager. I worked as restaurant manager for The Ivy Restaurant, Group Wine Buyer, and General Manager for JSheekey Restaurant. EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts: Arts and Humanities , 09/2022 - Current Open University - United Kingdom Master Sommelier: Sommelier, 04/2004 - 05/2004 Court of Master Sommeliers - United Kingdom REFERENCES References available upon request. .