Confidential
Kayak Shop Operations Manager (Water sport shop)

5 8th St - Jumeirah - Jumeirah 2 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
We are a premier kayak destination in the UAE, specializing in kayak sales, equipment rentals, and guided kayak fishing experiences. Our passion is empowering water adventures, and we’re seeking a dynamic Operations Manager to lead our team and drive growth.
Role Overview:
You’ll oversee all aspects of our shop’s daily operations, ensuring exceptional customer experiences, efficient processes, and profitability. This is a hands-on leadership role combining retail management, logistics, marketing, and team development.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Rental & Booking Management:
- Manage kayak rental reservations, scheduling, and payment processing.
- Oversee equipment inspection, maintenance, and inventory tracking.
- Optimize booking systems (digital/physical).
2. Sales & Customer Service:
- Lead retail sales of kayaks, paddling gear, and fishing equipment.
- Resolve customer inquiries and build long-term relationships.
- Train staff on product knowledge and sales techniques.
3. Supplier & Inventory Control:
- Liaise with suppliers for stock procurement and pricing negotiations.
- Monitor inventory levels and reorder products proactively.
- Manage purchase orders and deliveries.
4. Marketing & Outreach:
- Develop local marketing strategies (social media, partnerships, events).
- Create promotional campaigns for rentals, sales, and fishing tours.
- Maintain online presence (website, Instagram, Facebook).
5. Team Leadership:
- Recruit, train, and schedule staff (sales, rental technicians, guides).
- Set performance targets and conduct evaluations.
- Foster a customer-centric team culture.
6. Operations & Compliance:
- Ensure shop safety, cleanliness, and operational efficiency.
- Handle daily finances (cash management, basic reporting).
- Implement process improvements.
Qualifications:
- Experience: 3+ years in retail management, preferably in sports equipment, outdoor gear, or rental operations.
- Leadership: Proven ability to manage teams and drive performance.
- Communication: Fluent English (essential); Arabic (strong advantage).
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in POS systems, inventory software, and social media.
- Industry Passion: Knowledge of kayaking/fishing (highly desirable).
- Organisational Skills: Multitasking ability in fast-paced environments.
- Flexibility: Willingness to work weekends/holidays as needed.
We Offer:
- Competitive base salary: AED 4,000 – 8,000/month
- Performance-based commission on sales/rentals
- Opportunity to grow within a niche outdoor brand
AED 6,000-7,999