The posting
About Manna
At Manna, we’re changing how the world receives things – by taking delivery to the skies.
Our mission is simple but ambitious: to make high-speed delivery affordable, green, and safe. We design and build our own aviation-grade drones that deliver food, coffee, groceries and more directly from local stores and vendors to people’s doors in just a few minutes.
We’re a team that Drives with Impact, is Safety Focused, and knows that the best ideas come from Team Players who show up as their Authentic Selves. We move fast, we’re passionate about what we do, and we’re always looking for ways to Be Better.
As we launch and grow our operations in the Middle East, we’re looking for our first Operations Supervisor in Dubai to help build and lead our operations on the ground.
Welcome to Manna – where we deliver the future.
Join Manna as our first Operations Supervisor in Dubai. This is a live-operations role at the centre of Manna’s launch in the Middle East.
Reporting to the General Manager, UAE, you’ll build and lead our Ground Operations Crews at our Dubai bases, keep daily operations safe and efficient, and take ownership of the operational performance of the site.
It’s a bigger job than the title suggests. As one of our first operations hires in the market, you’ll help stand the base up as well as run it – building teams, improving processes, solving problems and helping establish how Manna operates in Dubai.
Key Responsibilities
- Build, lead and manage Ground Operations Crews, including recruitment, onboarding and staffing requirements
- Oversee daily operations, ensuring they run safely, efficiently and to Manna’s operational standards
- Manage site performance and support the delivery of profitability and operational targets
- Manage staff rosters, annual leave, absence and day-to-day team requirements
- Oversee team training, assessments and ongoing development
- Manage performance, provide regular feedback and set clear expectations
- Track and manage inventory, equipment and consumables to ensure the operation has what it needs
- Maintain the operational records, logs and reports required under Manna’s UAE aviation authorisation, working closely with the Accountable Manager and Manna’s Flight Operations and Compliance teams
- Support the mobilisation of the Dubai base and future sites, including equipment acceptance, site readiness and coordination with suppliers and contractors
- Act as Manna’s operational point of contact for site landlords, merchants and neighbouring occupiers
- Supervise and chaperone visitors, including regulators, partners and media, ensuring site protocols are followed
- Coordinate across departments and escalate operational issues to the appropriate teams
- Implement operational changes and process improvements in line with Manna’s change management processes
- Work closely with teams across Manna to support the successful launch and growth of our UAE operations
Requirements
- 2–3 years’ experience in operations, logistics, project management, consulting or another fast-paced environment
- Secondary school certificate or equivalent
- A valid UAE driving licence, or the ability to obtain one
- Based in Dubai or willing to relocate
- Eligible to work in the UAE or to obtain a UAE employment visa with Manna’s sponsorship
- Fluent written and spoken English
- A proactive problem-solver who is organised, hands-on and comfortable taking ownership
- A strong communicator who works well across teams and keeps things moving
- Able to complete any required pre-employment screening
Even Better If You Have
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field
- Experience in drone/UAS operations, aviation, robotics or another safety-critical technology
- Experience supporting commercial delivery, BVLOS operations, flight operations, ground crews or drone maintenance
- A GCAA/DCAA remote pilot licence or equivalent civil aviation authority qualification
- Experience operating in the UAE, including working with local authorities, facilities or other operational stakeholders
- Experience working in regulated operational environments
- Leadership experience, with the ability to motivate teams and set clear expectations
- A strong eye for safety, quality and operational excellence
Most importantly: you’re someone who enjoys building, improving and getting things done. You’re comfortable wearing different hats, taking ownership and getting hands-on when needed, and you’re excited by the opportunity to help build a world-class drone delivery operation in Dubai.
