Business Manager – Chef/Nutritionist (Wellness Eatery/Restaurant)

Role Overview Our client is about to launch a premium Wellness Eatery in Lagos designed to deliver nutritious, great-tasting meals that support healthy living, productivity, and lifestyle wellness. The Company is seeking an exceptional Business Manager who is: ▪ A professionally trained Chef ▪ Equipped with formal education in Nutrition, Dietetics, or Food Science ▪ Commercially savvy with strong entrepreneurial drive ▪ Passionate about building and co-owning a high-growth wellness food brand & chain This is not just an operational role—it is a founding leadership opportunity with vested equity tied to performance, growth, and long term commitment. Key Responsibilities 1. Business & Strategic Leadership ▪ Co-lead the launch, positioning, and growth strategy of the wellness eatery. ▪ Drive revenue generation, profitability, and cost optimization. ▪ Develop scalable business models, pricing structures, and expansion plans. ▪ Monitor financial performance, prepare budgets, forecasts, and reports. ▪ Identify partnerships with gyms, corporates, health practitioners, and wellness communities. 2. Culinary & Nutritional Excellence ▪ Design and continuously refine a nutritionally balanced, commercially viable menu. ▪ Ensure meals align with wellness goals such as weight management, energy, immunity, and lifestyle health. ▪ Standardize recipes, portion control, calorie counts, and ingredient sourcing. ▪ Lead food innovation, seasonal menus, and special dietary programs (vegan, keto, gluten-free, etc.). ▪ Maintain strict adherence to food safety, hygiene, and regulatory standards in Nigeria. 3. Restaurant Operations Management ▪ Oversee daily restaurant operations, kitchen production, and service quality. ▪ Recruit, train, and manage kitchen and front-line teams. ▪ Implement SOPs for service delivery, quality assurance, and customer experience. ▪ Manage inventory, vendor relationships, and supply chain efficiency. ▪ Ensure compliance with Lagos State health, safety, and business regulations. 4. Brand, Customer Experience & Growth ▪ Shape the brand identity and wellness positioning of the eatery. ▪ Deliver a premium customer experience that drives loyalty and repeat business. ▪ Collaborate on marketing campaigns, digital presence, and community engagement. ▪ Analyse customer feedback, sales trends, and performance metrics to improve offerings. 5. Others ▪ Act as a strategic thought partner to the founder/investors. ▪ Demonstrate long-term commitment aligned with equity vesting milestones. ▪ Champion a mission-driven culture centred on health, excellence, and innovation. Requirements Key Requirements & Qualifications Education ▪ Professional culinary training from a recognized culinary institution. ▪ Degree or certified training in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science, or related field (required). Experience ▪ 5–10+ years in restaurant, hospitality, or food business leadership. ▪ Proven experience in healthy food concepts, wellness brands, or nutrition-focused kitchens. ▪ Demonstrated success in restaurant startup, turnaround, or growth environments is highly desirable. Core Competencies Business & Leadership ▪ Strong entrepreneurial mindset with ownership mentality. ▪ Financial acumen in P&L management, cost control, and revenue growth. ▪ Ability to build teams, systems, and scalable operations. Culinary & Wellness Expertise ▪ Deep understanding of nutrition-driven menu planning. ▪ Creativity in healthy yet commercially appealing meals. ▪ Knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and regulatory compliance. Personal Attributes ▪ Visionary, disciplined, and execution-focused. ▪ Passion for health, wellness, and lifestyle transformation. ▪ High integrity, resilience, and long-term commitment to building a brand. Benefits Why This Role Matters This role offers a rare opportunity to co-create a category-defining wellness food brand in Lagos, combining: ▪ Purpose (health impact) ▪ Profit (scalable business model) ▪ Ownership (real equity participation) ▪ Ideal for a chef-entrepreneur ready to move from employment to foundership.