Chief Operating Officer
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Umamido Group is a fast‑growing hospitality company that brings Japanese comfort food to cities across Europe. They operate two distinct brands: Umamido, their flagship ramen concept, and Roru, which offers ultra‑fresh sushi rolls and rice bowls. All of their shops are supported by a central production unit, which ensures consistent quality.
To guide the company's evolution and growth and lead their international expansion, starting with France, they are looking for a Chief Operating Officer.
Position
As Chief Operating Officer, you will have a clear mandate to strategically develop a beloved, founder‑led group. Reporting directly to the Managing Director and working closely with the co‑founders, you'll be a key member of the executive team. This isn't a desk job—we’re looking for a hands‑on COO. You'll drive performance and consistency across all company‑owned and franchised locations while building the operational systems that will allow Umamido and Roru brands to expand across Europe.
Responsibilities
* Operational leadership: oversee the daily operations of all 20 shops, including the Umamido and Roru locations in Belgium (Brussels, Antwerp, Leuven, and Ghent) and the 6 franchised locations in Switzerland. Ensure the highest standards of food quality, customer experience, and operational excellence.
* Strategic growth: design the essential tools and processes that will enable Umamido and Roru to grow rapidly across Europe without sacrificing quality, consistency, or control.
* Financial stewardship: take full ownership of the P&L, managing budgets, controlling costs, and ensuring profitability across all business units, translating financial goals into clear operational execution.
* Management: directly manage and coach district and training managers, fostering a performance‑driven culture through clear expectations, accountability, and hands‑on guidance.
* Collaborative partnerships: work closely with Finance, HR, F&B, Marketing, and central production teams to ensure seamless coordination and execution of company goals.
* Franchise support: provide structure, guidance, and the necessary tools to help franchise partners succeed, and challenge them to meet the high brand standards and deliver an exceptional customer experience across different regions.
Profile
* Minimum 15 years of experience in the hospitality or food sector, with a proven track record of multi‑unit leadership and scaling operations while maintaining quality and team engagement.
* Strong financial skills, including full P&L ownership.
* Solution‑oriented mindset and ability to inspire others to adopt the same approach.
* Forward‑thinking leader who drives results, translating ideas into action and remaining highly proactive.
* Leadership style based on coaching, skilled at developing and holding local leaders accountable.
* Comfortable with international complexity and naturally connected to daily operations, leading by example.
* Bilingual in English and French; proficiency in Dutch is a plus.
Offer
* A leadership role in one of Europe’s most promising Japanese hospitality companies.
* The autonomy to strategically build, shape, and expand operations.
* The chance to lead two successful brands that are already thriving and poised for significant growth.
* A competitive compensation package that reflects the importance of your role.
Interested?
Surf to jobs.hudsonsolutions.com and apply online.
Questions? Contact Marie Paradis at +32 10 28 14 78.
Your response will be dealt with promptly and confidentially.
Hudson is exclusively managing this assignment.
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