Country Manager

Job Description:

This is a unique opportunity to build and lead the launch of a well-known international QSR (quick services restaurants) brand in Portugal from the ground up. The Country Manager will act as the key driver of the business, shaping the market entry strategy, establishing operations, and laying the foundation for long-term, scalable growth.

Beyond execution, this role offers true ownership: the chance to operate with an entrepreneurial mindset while being backed by a solid international group. The successful candidate will not only deliver the first openings but also define the future of the brand in Portugal, building a high-performing organization and creating a sustainable, profitable business.

Responsibilities:

Launch & Business Setup:
- Lead the full setup of the Portuguese operation, including legal, financial, and operational structuring.
- Develop and execute the business plan, defining growth strategy, investment needs, and cost structure.
- Adapt the global business model to the local market, ensuring both brand consistency and economic viability.

Expansion Strategy:
- Define and execute the expansion roadmap, with a target of 5 store openings by December 2027.
- Identify, negotiate, and secure prime locations, acting as the main point of contact with landlords and partners.
- Oversee all opening processes (licenses, construction, suppliers, pre-opening, launch), ensuring timelines, budgets, and brand standards are met.

Operations & P&L Ownership:
- Take full responsibility for the country’s P&L, including revenue, margins, and EBITDA performance.
- Implement and monitor operational standards, ensuring excellence in customer experience and store performance.
- Track and optimize key KPIs such as sales, average ticket, food cost, labor cost, and productivity.
- Design a scalable operational structure as the network grows.

Team Building & Leadership:
- Build the local team from scratch, starting with key operational roles.
- Attract, develop, and retain talent, fostering a high-performance and results-driven culture.
- Gradually evolve the organization into a robust and scalable structure aligned with expansion plans.

International Coordination & Brand Alignment:
- At the beginning, participate in an international training program to ensure full understanding of brand standards and operations.
- Collaborate closely with global and regional teams (training, marketing, supply chain, etc.).
- Act as the key liaison between the Portuguese operation and international headquarters, ensuring alignment and consistency.

Requirements:

Experience & Background:
- More than 10 years of experience in leadership roles, ideally within QSR, restaurant industry, or retail.
- Proven track record in launching and scaling businesses, preferably in new markets or new ventures.
- Strong experience managing expansion projects, including multi-site openings.
- Solid financial acumen with full P&L responsibility and KPI-driven decision-making.
- Experience building teams from early stages to more structured organizations.
- Strong knowledge of the Portuguese market is highly valued.

Skills & Competencies:
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a “builder” mentality.
- High level of autonomy and comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-paced environments.
- Strong strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution capability.
- Leadership skills with the ability to inspire, develop, and manage teams over time.
- Results-oriented, resilient, and highly adaptable.
- High level of trustworthiness and long-term commitment.

Languages:
- Portuguese.
- English.
- Spanish (desirable).

Other Requirements:
- Based in Lisbon or willing to relocate.
- Availability to join ideally by September/October.

Company Description:

Our client is a fast-growing international business group originating from Mexico, which has recently secured the exclusive rights to develop and operate a globally recognized North-American QSR (quick service restaurants) brand in Portugal.

The company is currently in the early stages of market entry in Portugal, offering a rare opportunity to join at ground level and play a pivotal role in building the business from scratch. Backed by strong international expertise and infrastructure, the project combines entrepreneurial spirit with the support of an established global ecosystem, including cross-border teams in areas such as training, marketing, and supply chain.

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