UAE BARQ برق الإمارات – نبضك
Across the UAE, more Emiratis are choosing private-sector careers — and at Starbucks UAE, operated by Alshaya Group, that shift is already visible. Starbucks UAE has surpassed the national Emiratization target, with UAE nationals now representing 15% of its workforce, many of whom are progressing from barista roles into shift leadership positions across stores.
That progress reached a new milestone this year with the promotion of Starbucks UAE’s first cohort of Emirati shift supervisors — partners who began on the bar and are now leading teams on the shop floor.
Inside Starbucks stores, leadership is built in real time — during the morning rush, on the bar, and in the small moments that shape customer experience. Partners learn how to run peak periods calmly, coach new baristas, support store managers, and keep teams connected under pressure. It’s practical leadership: communication, judgment, and confidence — developed shift by shift.
“As the UAE expands opportunity in the private sector, service excellence matters more than ever,” says Samar Jabbour, Senior Vice President – Starbucks MENA at Alshaya Group. “Our role is to create clear, supportive pathways for Emirati partners — training that’s practical, leadership that’s earned, and flexibility that respects real life. That’s how careers grow, and that’s how the customer experience gets stronger.”
For Ali Saeed Salem Saeed Alyammahi, an electrical engineering student in Fujairah, balancing study with full-time work accelerated his growth into shift leadership. “Balancing work and study was challenging — but it strengthened my discipline and time management,” he says. Ali brings an analytical approach to the floor: “In engineering, every problem has a solution if you approach it methodically. I’ve applied the same mindset in-store… It’s about thinking clearly, staying calm, and always working toward a positive outcome.”
At Kalba aMall, Layla Hilal Abdalla Hilal Almeqbaali discovered her leadership voice through practice — and now helps others find theirs. “Starbucks helped me build confidence not only in myself, but in my ability to guide and uplift others,” she says. “The culture here actively encourages women to lead.”
For Hassan Rashed Mohamed Alsharari Aldhanhani at Khorfakkan Beach, hospitality is personal — and deeply cultural. “As Emiratis, welcoming others is deeply rooted in our culture,” he says. “I found the same value reflected in the way we connect with customers every day — from regular guests to visitors discovering Khorfakkan for the first time.”
And at Zakher Drive-Thru, Aysha Mohammed Ali Qul Zar Ali Alblooshi points to teamwork as the foundation of consistency and service. “We work as one team — more like family than colleagues,” she says.
Together, these journeys reflect a wider momentum: Emirati partners building careers in the service economy through structured training, clear progression, and flexible schedules — and stepping into leadership through everyday responsibility.
Interested in joining the team?
Starbucks UAE is hiring Emirati nationals across roles and locations. Explore opportunities and apply here: https://www.alshaya.com/en/careers/vacancies
