Experience

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  Dar Al Abbar

  • Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

  • Chief Operating Officer

    • May 2017 - Present
    • Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Appointed COO of Group Holding Company with the remit to support the Group CEO to lead regenerative restructuring within all group companies away from historic commodity importation and distribution model to achieve our vision to become a leading hospitality provider in the kingdom in line with the vision 2030 goals for the sector.Currently under my direct responsibility are 8 SME within Saudi Arabia. Each new business established has be able to stand alone after the second year of trading. Their core organizational structures must be self-contained, trading at a sustainable profitable level, and be cash flow positive. Not dependent on Dar Al Abbar holding company resources.Achievements✔Collaborated with Royal Commission of AlUla and Multi Michelin Star Chef Alain Ducasse to open seasonal pop up 'Ducasse in AlUla'. ✔Partnership with Michelin star Chef Jason Atherton to open two restaurants in Saudi Arabia. Maraya Social (AlUla) and Marina Social (Jeddah) ✔Launched boutique, premium, large scale events catering business to capture opportunity in this rapidly growing hospitality sector. Securing multiple year contract with Live Nation for Maraya, and winning events with MDLB, Royal Commission of AlUla, SELA, HQWS, Balich, Quintessentially, Imagination, Niche Arabia, Auditoire. $10m turnover.✔Opened manpower / facilities maintenance company to support group owned businesses.✔Secured franchise with NBL Group for Meat the Fish brand in Saudi Arabia.✔Attained reduction of $2m in group forward liabilities through implementation of better HR process control.✔Successfully supported securing $53m sale of ATC/ACS assets to establish funding forward growth plans. ✔Managed 500+ employee terminations / contract non-renewals to position restructuring.✔Oversaw 500+ talent hiring’s within businesses.

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  Abdelrahman A. Abbar Trading Company Limited

  • Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

  • Chief Operating Officer

    • Jul 2013 - Apr 2017
    • Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    ► Lead the decision to close the frozen division due to significant losses suffered over previous years, rightsized the business structure to increase cost efficiencies whilst simultaneously spearheading an aggressive plan to capitalize on the businesses significant manpower and asset base►Established an internal performance department to provide commercial financial reporting enabling business unit heads to have greater visibility of the performance of their respective areas, enabled the strengthening of sister company’s positon as a leading temperature controlled storage provider throughout the Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaAchievements✔Generated significant Profit for the Group within year 1 and secured new supplier contracts ✔Grew topline sales of the Chilled Dairy and Grocery Snacks distribution division by 150% in 2 years ✔Delivered a 10 fold increase in the bottom line results in 2016 and improved every business aspect from overdue market receivables, inventory days, trade marketing spend, discounts, delivery drop sizes etc. ✔Restructured the organization whilst ensuring correct customer coverage and keeping within Saudization requirement levels

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  Abbar & Sons Cold Stores

  • Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

  • Vice President Commercial

    • Sep 2010 - Jun 2013
    • Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    ► Directly managed the Abbar Cold Stores commercial team responsible for sourcing, procurement negotiations, inventory and profitability of all FMCG brands, led a step change transition within the organization from commodity to brand mindset ►Pioneered creation of an “Abbar Academy” to train and develop the skillset of the next generation of Saudi employees and build company loyalty through tailor-made development plans Achievements✔Secured a distribution contract with the world’s largest FMCG company at the time covering the southern region of Saudi Arabia✔Established within 3 months a new division with a dedicated sales team of 76 while ensuring maintenance of global standards of all physical operations ✔Propelled the brand from a zero base with growth in market share recorded every year for the next 5 years on each of the categories that had brand presence✔Grew topline sales of the Chilled Dairy and Grocery Snacks division by 600% within 2 years ✔Reduced inventory levels by 70% by implementing business cycle planning working with the historic supplier base✔Established A.C.T (Accelerate Coverage Today) as the new mantra for the business to broaden the customer base in order to grow market share and profits

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  Evolution (Southampton) Limited

  • Southampton, United Kingdom

  • Interim Executive Director

    • Nov 2009 - Aug 2010
    • Southampton, United Kingdom

    ► After 7 strong years this business was trading 40% down due to the ill health of the owning Managing Director. Joined with a remit to breathe life back into the business, return to profitable trading, and install a simple, fresh and structured approach that would provide future trading stabilityAchievements✔Returned the business to profitable trading In March 2010✔Secured the largest deal of the year with a contract to supply Honda with steelwork and cladding for a warehouse at their UK manufacturing plant ✔Worked with the owner to position the business to be successfully sold at the end of 2010 ensuring a good return for the 8 years over which he had built the business up

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  Abbar & Zainy

  • Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

  • Procurement Manager

    • Jun 2008 - Oct 2009
    • Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Responsible for all cost and distribution contract negotiations Achievements✔Ensured balanced inventories and stable cash flow through purchasing to a periodic forecasted sales plan

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  Panda Retail Company – Savola Group

  • Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

  • Category Manager

    • May 2004 - Jun 2008
    • Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Responsible for the commercial strategy of the dairy department leading the approach of sponsorship contributions eventsAchievements✔Standardized cost and quality across stores by establishing 2 stand-alone regional bakery production units✔Developed brand guidelines and led the launch of the first “Panda” Private Label item✔Developed and implemented a standard format checkout display stand nationwide that generated a new ‘space rental’ revenue stream for the business✔Rationalized purchasing of all consumable packaging materials

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  L'Oréal

  • Southampton, United Kingdom

  • Regional Sales Manager

    • Apr 2000 - Apr 2004
    • Southampton, United Kingdom

    Responsible for increasing market share through implementation of a National sales strategy which revolved around the development of clients’ businesses, working directly with owner operators to grow their overall business scale

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  Industrial Cleaning Equipment Ltd

  • Southampton, United Kingdom

  • Sales and Marketing Manager

    • Nov 1997 - Mar 2000
    • Southampton, United Kingdom

    Lead role in the implementation of the companies’ European strategy, developing a comprehensive infrastructure of regional distributors and service agents throughout U.K & Ireland

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  Nurdin & Peacock Cash & Carry

  • Southampton / Reading / Bristol, United Kingdom

  • Assistant Manager / Team leader / Department Head Dairy

    • May 1992 - Oct 1997
    • Southampton / Reading / Bristol, United Kingdom

    Managed day to day operation of a £50 Million turnover branch, with full accountability for store and staff of 150 (Duty Manager Basis), gaining exposure to all aspects of stock control, managing of branch relays / space allocation, new store openings, store administration, staff selection and recruitment