Job Description/Specification:
ARCAN, a premium European coffee brand headquartered in Portugal, is seeking an entrepreneurial Launch Manager to establish and grow its Qatar operations from the ground up. Reporting directly to the Group CEO of Elevion Group, you will independently lead the market launch, oversee commercial operations, build a recurring B2B customer base, and lay the foundation for future expansion into a Country Manager position.
This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven professional who thrives in startup environments, enjoys building businesses from scratch, and is passionate about developing long-term client relationships in the hospitality and food service industry.
About ARCAN
ARCAN is a European coffee brand with its parent company based in Portugal, focused on delivering premium coffee products to the hospitality and commercial sectors. As the company enters the Qatar market, ARCAN aims to establish a strong presence through exceptional product quality, reliable service, and long-term partnerships with cafés, restaurants, hotels, offices, and other business customers.
About This Role
As the Launch Manager, you will take full ownership of ARCAN's Qatar operations during its market-entry phase. You will drive B2B sales, manage supplier relationships, oversee imports and regulatory compliance, coordinate logistics, monitor commercial performance, and represent the brand in the local market. This highly autonomous role offers significant growth potential, evolving into a Country Manager position as the business expands.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development & Sales
- Build ARCAN's customer base from zero by securing recurring B2B accounts.
- Develop relationships with:
- Cafés
- Coffee shops
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Offices
- Hospitality businesses
- Generate new business through prospecting and face-to-face sales.
- Retain customers and maximize recurring orders.
- Manage the sales pipeline from lead generation to account growth.
Supplier & Product Management
- Coordinate with the Ethiopian coffee roaster.
- Manage:
- Product samples
- Quality specifications
- Private-label packaging
- Purchase orders
- Reorders
- Ensure consistent product quality and supply.
Import & Regulatory Compliance
- Coordinate import and customs clearance activities.
- Manage product registration with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
- Ensure Arabic labeling and regulatory compliance.
- Work with logistics and compliance partners to maintain smooth operations.
Operations & Logistics
- Oversee inventory management and stock availability.
- Coordinate warehousing and order fulfillment.
- Ensure timely and reliable deliveries to customers.
- Maintain efficient reorder and supply processes.
Commercial Management
- Monitor:
- Landed costs
- Pricing
- Gross margins
- Cash flow
- Protect profitability while remaining competitive.
- Prepare simple monthly commercial reports for the Group CEO.
Brand Development
- Represent ARCAN professionally across the Qatar market.
- Execute local brand activation initiatives.
- Build long-term market awareness and brand reputation.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is:
- A confident B2B sales professional with excellent relationship-building skills.
- Comfortable generating new business through cold outreach and face-to-face meetings.
- Highly self-motivated and capable of working independently.
- Commercially aware with strong understanding of pricing, margins, and profitability.
- Hands-on, proactive, and willing to manage both strategic and operational responsibilities.
- Entrepreneurial with an ownership mindset.
- Comfortable working across multicultural environments involving European, Ethiopian, and Qatari business partners.
Preferred Qualifications
- Existing HORECA (Hotels, Restaurants & Cafés) network in Qatar.
- Experience within:
- Food & Beverage
- Coffee Industry
- Hospitality Sales
- FMCG
- Distribution
- Experience launching a business or entering a new market.
- Interest or background in specialty coffee is an advantage but not essential.
Technical Skills
- B2B Sales
- Business Development
- Key Account Management
- Customer Relationship Management
- Sales Negotiation
- Commercial Management
- Pricing Strategy
- Margin Analysis
- Inventory Management
- Supply Chain Coordination
- Import & Customs Processes
- Regulatory Compliance
- Vendor Management
- Logistics Coordination
- Financial Reporting
- Pipeline Management
- Territory Development
- Market Expansion
Core Competencies
- Entrepreneurial Mindset
- Leadership
- Ownership
- Communication Skills
- Negotiation
- Relationship Building
- Strategic Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Time Management
- Organization
- Adaptability
- Customer Focus
- Decision Making
- Resilience
- Results Orientation
First 90 Days Success Indicators
Successful performance during the initial phase includes:
- Finalizing supplier agreements and product approvals.
- Completing import and regulatory compliance processes.
- Receiving the first ARCAN-branded shipment.
- Securing the first recurring B2B customers.
- Establishing a healthy sales pipeline across cafés, hotels, restaurants, and offices.
- Implementing reliable pricing, ordering, delivery, and reorder systems.
Compensation & Career Growth
The position offers a performance-driven compensation structure, including:
- Lean fixed base salary suitable for a startup environment.
- Attractive commission focused on acquiring and retaining recurring customer accounts.
- Significant earning potential based on business growth.
- Clear progression into a Country Manager role with expanded leadership responsibilities and compensation as ARCAN scales in Qatar and future regional markets.
Work Location
- Doha, Qatar
- Full-time | On-site