Warren Schmidt Email & Phone Number

Dubai, Ae

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Consulting agency providing integrated advisory services to the hospitality industry.

Jeddah, Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia

Al Musbah Group (AMG) is a successful network of companies thriving in diverse businesses across Saudi Arabia. AMG has a strong retail chain with more than 150 retail stores at major shopping malls in a number of cities.• Operations responsibility for a specialty coffee roaster operating third wave cafes across SaudiArabia.• 3 stores + a roasting facility in operation, wholesale sales team, 6 stores in development &pre-opening.

South Africa

Coco Safar is the world’s first Michelin-quality, luxury coffee café, espresso bar, rooibos botanical micro-brewery and capsule retail emporium all in one store offering coffee and single origin Rooibos tea capsule collections, pâtisserie, confectionery, hot & cold-brew beverages, gelato and a curated retail collection. • Project-managed build-out and fit-out of global flagship store for a luxury third wave espresso and patisserie brand, including a botanical microbrewery, coffee roastery and encapsulation facility• Worked closely with brand founders and New York–based Global Operations Director• Managed project CapEx budget, contractor and sub-contractor selection and negotiations, including scope determination and establishment and oversight of deliverables• Set up management team and collaborated with Corporate Executive Chef, Consultant Chefs (recruited from New York) and Beverage Curator on menu development, costing and implementation• Led and monitored team responsibilities, timelines and deliverables• Created operational budgets and reported financial data to the Board of Directors• Oversight of staffing and HR, including planning, recruitment and training• Developed and implemented store SOPs; ensured adherence to brand guidelines• Successfully opened store and oversaw operations, handing over to a store management team

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Personal project. Curated food stalls at food and farmers markets; Taco Y Taco, Popshop, DTLA and TastyAF.

Abu Dhabi, Uae

National Catering Company Limited, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, is one of the largest support services conglomerates in the UAE, specialising in industrial and corporate catering, facilities management, engineering, distribution, retail and F&B, adhering to the highest international standards.• Oversaw daily business operations across six supermarkets (420 staff members)• Financial budgeting, analysis and reporting responsibilities ($50m annual turnover)• Staffing and HR responsibility, including planning, recruitment, training and assessment • Developed division 3 year strategy plan in line with company strategy• Successfully introduced a division-wide enterprise performance management (EPM) system; set KPIs and initiatives with cascading responsibilities through four levels of management. Led EPM meetings, monitored progress and implemented remedial plans• Introduced and rolled out division CRM system• Introduced QHSE standards; ensured compliance with Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority standards (based on USA standards)• Developed and rolled out a store visit report (SVR) framework to standardise operations and bring five legacy stores in line with new procedures• Developed and implemented a store performance review report combining three metrics into one index for efficient store assessment • Reviewed store layouts and merchandising; provided feedback to purchasing department and store managers• Oversaw staffing to ensure staff were deployed efficiently and economically• Contributed to marketing and promotion plans; oversaw execution of in-store marketing activities• Made multiple cost saving operational adjustments including a saving of AED 1M by making adjustments (and improvements - double win) to staff accommodation• Successfully introduced the first self-scanning retail stores in the UAE• Negotiated, finalised and administered tenant leases and concession agreements• Project-managed new store openings from design layout to opening

Abu Dhabi, Uae

A popular fast-casual brand of cafes located within company-owned retail locations and operating as corporate catering sites within Etihad Airways, Adnoc Headquarters and other corporate locations. • Responsible for restaurant, central production and corporate catering operations (eight locations). • Delivered financial turnaround of the division to profitability • Implemented, maintained and improved systems and reporting framework• Financial responsibilities, including sales analysis, management reports, budgeting and forecasting• Headed, supported and coached operations and outlet managers; staffing and HR oversight• Overall QHSE oversight, including ensuring compliance with Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority standards• Developed and implemented marketing and promotional campaigns • Developed and costed menus

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Gloria Jean's Coffees is a franchised specialty coffee company operating more than 1,000 coffee stores across 39 markets worldwide.• Responsible for the operations of 17 outlets• Improved national operations processes and developed store-level back of house operations, systems and processes. Oversaw central warehousing, international and local order processes and distribution of branded stock• Sourced local products and suppliers; managed food costing and menu development• Supported franchisees and coached store management to ensure compliance with the franchise framework and uphold international brand standards• Developed, implemented and maintained national support office reporting framework • Financial reporting to CEO and Australian head office• Supported the development and execution of the marketing strategy • Oversaw nationwide learning and development via Gloria Jean’s Coffees’ global online training platform • Worked alongside the international business development management team to advance the regional strategy

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Cape Town Area, South Africa

London, England, United Kingdom