15 Principal Officer jobs in Kuwait

OUR CLIENT

Our client is part of a renowned diversified holding group, with operations for the past 60+ years. Their F&B arm was officially established over 20 years ago, and has since grown substantially. The business now operates c.300 restaurants across Kuwait, Turkey, and the broader Middle East, employing 3,000+ staff.

They are transforming the way business is done in the QSR sector, consolidating operational efficiency, marketing innovation, and state-of-the-art technology.

THE ROLE

We are seeking an accomplished Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with a proven track record in the Food & Beverage industry, specifically within Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) or international franchise operations. The ideal candidate will bring strategic financial leadership, deep operational insight, and the ability to drive profitable growth in a dynamic, multi-market environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Financial Leadership:

- Develop and execute the company's financial strategy in alignment with overall business objectives and growth ambitions.

- Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A):

- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning to ensure profitability, scalability, and sustainable growth.

Operational Excellence:

Partner with operations to drive cost efficiency, unit economics optimization, and margin improvement across franchise and corporate stores.

Governance & Compliance:

Ensure adherence to financial regulations, tax laws, and internal controls across all operating regions.

Investment & Capital Management:

Manage investor relations, funding initiatives, and capital allocation to support expansion and innovation.

Franchise Financial Support:

Collaborate with franchise partners on financial performance, ROI assessments, and commercial agreements to ensure mutual profitability.

Leadership & Team Development:

Build and mentor a high-performing finance team fostering a culture of accountability, agility, and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

- Bachelors degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field (mandatory).

- MBA (mandatory).

- Professional certifications such as CPA, CFA, CMA, or equivalent (preferred).

Experience:

- Minimum 15 years of progressive financial leadership experience, preferablywithin international QSR or F&B brands

- Demonstrated success in managing financial operations across multiple geographies and franchise systems.

- Proven experience in strategic planning, M&A, fundraising, and business transformation.

Skills & Attributes:

- Strong commercial acumen with a strategic and growth-oriented mindset.

- Exceptional analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

- Fluent in English; proficiency in Arabic is an asset.

- High integrity, resilience, and ability to thrive in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

Overview

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) – Leading Multinational Retail Group | Kuwait / GCC

We are a fast-growing multinational retail company headquartered in GCC, with ambitious expansion plans across the region. As part of our next growth chapter, we are seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead our finance function, strengthen governance, and prepare the business for potential public listing.

This is a career-defining role for a CFO who thrives at the intersection of finance, strategy, and transformation . You will partner closely with the CEO and board to shape long-term financial strategy, optimize capital structure, and guide the company through the exciting journey of IPO readiness and market expansion.

• Strategic Finance & Capital Management: Lead financial planning, treasury, and capital allocation to support growth.
• IPO Readiness: Drive financial, legal, and operational readiness for a potential listing; partner with advisors, regulators, and investors.
• Governance & Risk: Strengthen corporate governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks to meet public market standards.
• Operational Finance: Enhance efficiency, automate processes, and optimize financial systems.
• Investor & Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with regulators, banks, and investors; ensure transparent board reporting.

• Proven track record as a CFO or senior finance executive in a multinational or regional group (preferably retail or consumer-facing).
• Strong experience in capital markets and IPO readiness in the GCC (direct IPO execution is highly preferred).
• Expertise in treasury, tax optimization, corporate governance, and risk management.
• Hands-on, commercially minded leader who can balance strategy with execution.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at board and investor level.

• Play a pivotal role in one GCC’s most dynamic retail transformations.
• Lead the financial strategy of a company preparing for regional expansion and potential public listing.
• Competitive executive package, performance incentives, and long-term career opportunity.

A dynamic and visionary group headquartered in Kuwait, committed to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction across diverse sectors, including retail equipment, electronics, and technology. The group boasts a diverse portfolio of businesses, each dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions and high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of businesses in Kuwait and beyond.

About the Role:

To lead the company’s overall operations, sales, service, modifications, and client experience within the luxury automotive sector. The COO will be responsible for translating the CEO’s vision into actionable strategies, driving growth, ensuring operational excellence, managing profitability, and maintaining the highest standards of quality, exclusivity, and client satisfaction.

About You:

Ideal candidate must have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Automotive Engineering, or related field (MBA preferred).
• 10+ years of senior management experience in luxury automotive, bespoke modifications, or related premium industries.
• Proven expertise in managing day-to-day operations across sales, service, logistics, and aftersales.
• Strong track record of achieving revenue and profitability targets in customer-centric, high-end environments.
• Deep understanding of luxury car markets, bespoke modification processes, and client expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted long-term relationships with collectors, enthusiasts, and exclusive clientele.
• Solid financial acumen with hands-on P&L management experience.
• Proven leadership in building and motivating high-performing, multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent strategic thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Passion for luxury cars, craftsmanship, and delivering flawless client experiences.
• Highly adaptable, detail-oriented, and results-driven with a strong entrepreneurial mindset.

Job Details:

• Seniority level: Executive
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Management
• Industries: Retail

About The Client

A dynamic and visionary group headquartered in Kuwait, committed to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction across diverse sectors, including retail equipment, electronics, and technology.The group boasts a diverse portfolio of businesses, each dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions and high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of businesses in Kuwait and beyond.

To lead the company’s overall operations, sales, service, modifications, and client experience within the luxury automotive sector. The COO will be responsible for translating the CEO’s vision into actionable strategies, driving growth, ensuring operational excellence, managing profitability, and maintaining the highest standards of quality, exclusivity, and client satisfaction.

About You:

• Ideal candidate must have the following:Bachelor’s degree in Business, Automotive Engineering, or related field (MBA preferred).
• 10+ years of senior management experience in luxury automotive, bespoke modifications, or related premium industries.
• Proven expertise in managing day-to-day operations across sales, service, logistics, and aftersales.
• Strong track record of achieving revenue and profitability targets in customer-centric, high-end environments.
• Deep understanding of luxury car markets, bespoke modification processes, andUHNWclient expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted long-term relationships with collectors, enthusiasts, and exclusive clientele.
• Solid financial acumen with hands-on P&L management experience.
• Proven leadership in building and motivating high-performing, multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent strategic thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Passion for luxury cars, craftsmanship, and delivering flawless client experiences.
• Highly adaptable, detail-oriented, and results-driven with a strong entrepreneurial mindset.

Our client is a prominent and leading household family in Kuwait, with a rich background in the retail industry. They are backing an established lifestyle fashion brand that has successfully operated as an SME for over 20 years. Now, the brand is gearing up for a transformation to become a global player, with a vision similar to Zara. To achieve this goal, the business is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) with the capability to take on the CEO role in the near future. Luxury Recruit International has been exclusively retained on this search to find the right individual for this exciting leadership opportunity.

As COO, you will take charge of the company’s operations, production, commercial activities, and retail performance. You will work closely with the board and the founding family to execute a growth strategy that will see the business expand from an SME into a global fashion brand. The COO will be instrumental in leading the operational transition and growth trajectory, with a clear pathway to becoming the company’s CEO.

The successful candidate must be willing to relocate to Kuwait and will lead the company’s expansion within the GCC region and beyond.

• Operational Leadership: Oversee all operational aspects, including production, supply chain, and retail, ensuring efficiency and alignment with growth goals.
• Growth Strategy: Develop and implement a strategy to scale the brand across the GCC and globally, positioning it alongside global leaders like Zara.
• Retail & E-commerce Management: Ensure strong performance in both physical retail and digital sales channels, optimizing customer experience and driving revenue.
• Production & Supply Chain Management: Lead the entire production cycle, ensuring cost-effective, timely, and high-quality product delivery.
• Commercial Development: Drive the commercial success of the brand, overseeing sales, partnerships, and business development.
• Leadership & Team Building: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team across all functions, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
• Financial Management: Ensure sound financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting to support the company’s growth ambitions.
• Brand Expansion: Collaborate with marketing to elevate the brand’s global presence through innovative strategies and partnerships.
• Business Scaling: Work closely with the board to transform the business from a regional SME to a global player, establishing the infrastructure to support this expansion.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the founding family, to ensure alignment with the company’s long-term vision.

• Senior operational leadership experience within the fashion or retail industry.
• Proven success in scaling a fashion business, particularly within the GCC or other fast-growing markets.
• Expertise in managing complex retail and production operations, with a strong understanding of both digital and brick-and-mortar retail.
• Strategic thinker with experience executing large-scale growth initiatives.
• Strong leadership abilities with experience managing and building teams.
• Financial acumen with experience in budgeting and forecasting.
• Willingness to relocate to Kuwait.
• Experience working with family-backed or investor-led businesses is a plus.
• Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses.
• Potential for equity or profit-sharing.
• A clear, defined path to transition into the CEO role based on performance and the company’s growth trajectory.

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