THE OPPORTUNITY
We are recruiting a
Country Manager
to join the Hungry Lion team in
Ethiopia
. The purpose of this role is to lead and grow the Hungry Lion business in-country by driving operational excellence, ensuring brand standards, and delivering sustainable profitability through effective leadership, financial and market strategies. You will be supported by a remote team of head office enablement departments, based in South Africa.
DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES
Brand Standards & Customer Experience
Oversee daily operations to ensure efficiency, quality, and consistency by implementing and monitoring standard operating procedures, food safety standards, and hygiene protocols
Ensure brand consistency across all customer touchpoints and champion excellent customer service and guest satisfaction
Monitor and respond to customer feedback and market trends
Stakeholder Relations
Liaise with head office and regional support teams and manage relationships with licensing, statutory and regulatory bodies
Market Expansion
Identify high-potential sites for new outlets and navigate regulatory environments, permits, and compliance
Liaise with the Head Office Development team
Marketing & Local Relevance
Work with Head Office marketing on campaigns, activations, and digital to adapt to local tastes and culture
Projects
General project management, as well as involvement in new store development projects
Risk & Compliance Oversight
Identify and mitigate operational, financial, legal, and reputational risks by ensuring full compliance with health, safety, and regulatory requirements
Handle crisis situations (e.g. supply disruptions, political unrest) swiftly
Financial Performance
Accountable for profit and loss (P&L), track financial performance, margins & unit economics
People & Culture Leadership
Drive leadership development, training, and succession planning and ensure compliance with labour laws and HR policies
Supply Chain & Procurement
Manage supplier relationships, enforce supply contracts and coordinate logistics
Repairs & Maintenance
Oversee repairs and maintenance processes to ensure well-maintained operations and maintain costs within budget
REQUIREMENTS
8-10 years of food and beverage management experience
Experience in the key result areas listed
Food and beverage/QSR management certification or a relevant in-house certification is advantageous
Must have solid knowledge and understanding of Ethiopian legislation and culture
Ethiopian citizenship preferred
COMPETENCIES
Strong financial acumen
Resilience and tenacity
Strong negotiation skills with a win/win attitude
Results-oriented
Fair and just
Drive and commitment
Pragmatic problem-solving.
Emotional intelligence
Ability to work in unstructured environments
Self-reliant
Multicultural and interpersonal skills
Please submit CVs in English, in a .pdf format.
AN INTRODUCTION TO HUNGRY LION
Hungry Lion’s journey began with a single store in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, in 1997, with a simple vision: to serve great food with genuine warmth and energy. Over the years, that vision has grown into a powerful business with a strong and expanding footprint, with hundreds of restaurants across multiple African countries.
We’re growing fast and building for the future. Our ambitious expansion strategy is opening doors to new countries, new communities, and new possibilities for our teams. This means real career growth, exposure to a dynamic multinational business, and the chance to be part of a brand that’s making a powerful impact in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry.
People power our success; passionate, driven individuals who bring energy, creativity, and excellence to everything they do. From our restaurant teams to our corporate leadership, every person plays a vital role in delivering exceptional service and growing our brand. Joining Hungry Lion means being part of a fast-paced, dynamic, and supportive environment where your ideas, skills, and ambition can make a real impact.