Uchenna Okpara Izuagba, MSC, ICHRM, IMM, MIM
Human Resources and Training Director | TROVE | BOHOX | LEZZET | THE NEFES | GASTRONAUT HOSPITALITY at Gastronaut Hospitality- Claim this Profile
Click to upgrade to our gold package
for the full feature experience.
-
English Full professional proficiency
-
French Limited working proficiency
-
Greek Limited working proficiency
-
Arabic Limited working proficiency
-
Hebrew Limited working proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Shiela Mendoza, CHRP, CPST
Mr. Uchenna had always been a true leader for me. He has a hands-on approach to career coaching and a genuine heart that won the respect of the staff. He has a unique ability to organize the working process in a way that lets employees demonstrate the full extent of their professional skills. A wonderful sense of humor in combination with deep empathy enabled him to lift my spirits in exceptionally stressful situations. I had the pleasure of working with a manager that was both my mentor and a friend
MERCY MATHEW - MBA, CBA, CHRP, CHRM
Uchenna is a passionate and driven HR leader who breathes and lives the business he supports with the extreme capability of delivering great results, he is never afraid of facing and overcoming new and daily challenges. He’s very creative, a skilled planner with excellent people skills As a senior HR professional, Uchenna brings a variety of skills both to the team and to the organization which includes an impeccable dedication, high commitment to the job, constantly achieving the best results, great stakeholder management skills, ability to establish trusted relationships with senior stakeholders whilst supporting the overall business goals He has a flawless functional delivery approach. One of the most compelling and impactful realizations was his key role in the creation/ setting up of not just the UAE Business Units but also Oman, Qatar & The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the operational and strategic integration that is required and the turnaround time that he is able to furnish deliverables is second to none The engagement he is able to muster from the Senior management team is a true indication of his organizational agility and ability to manage relationships at all levels. He is a great motivator, personable and inspiring. He is indeed a pleasure to work with, a highly accomplished HR professional, and a wonderful human being altogether.
Shiela Mendoza, CHRP, CPST
Mr. Uchenna had always been a true leader for me. He has a hands-on approach to career coaching and a genuine heart that won the respect of the staff. He has a unique ability to organize the working process in a way that lets employees demonstrate the full extent of their professional skills. A wonderful sense of humor in combination with deep empathy enabled him to lift my spirits in exceptionally stressful situations. I had the pleasure of working with a manager that was both my mentor and a friend
MERCY MATHEW - MBA, CBA, CHRP, CHRM
Uchenna is a passionate and driven HR leader who breathes and lives the business he supports with the extreme capability of delivering great results, he is never afraid of facing and overcoming new and daily challenges. He’s very creative, a skilled planner with excellent people skills As a senior HR professional, Uchenna brings a variety of skills both to the team and to the organization which includes an impeccable dedication, high commitment to the job, constantly achieving the best results, great stakeholder management skills, ability to establish trusted relationships with senior stakeholders whilst supporting the overall business goals He has a flawless functional delivery approach. One of the most compelling and impactful realizations was his key role in the creation/ setting up of not just the UAE Business Units but also Oman, Qatar & The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the operational and strategic integration that is required and the turnaround time that he is able to furnish deliverables is second to none The engagement he is able to muster from the Senior management team is a true indication of his organizational agility and ability to manage relationships at all levels. He is a great motivator, personable and inspiring. He is indeed a pleasure to work with, a highly accomplished HR professional, and a wonderful human being altogether.
Shiela Mendoza, CHRP, CPST
Mr. Uchenna had always been a true leader for me. He has a hands-on approach to career coaching and a genuine heart that won the respect of the staff. He has a unique ability to organize the working process in a way that lets employees demonstrate the full extent of their professional skills. A wonderful sense of humor in combination with deep empathy enabled him to lift my spirits in exceptionally stressful situations. I had the pleasure of working with a manager that was both my mentor and a friend
MERCY MATHEW - MBA, CBA, CHRP, CHRM
Uchenna is a passionate and driven HR leader who breathes and lives the business he supports with the extreme capability of delivering great results, he is never afraid of facing and overcoming new and daily challenges. He’s very creative, a skilled planner with excellent people skills As a senior HR professional, Uchenna brings a variety of skills both to the team and to the organization which includes an impeccable dedication, high commitment to the job, constantly achieving the best results, great stakeholder management skills, ability to establish trusted relationships with senior stakeholders whilst supporting the overall business goals He has a flawless functional delivery approach. One of the most compelling and impactful realizations was his key role in the creation/ setting up of not just the UAE Business Units but also Oman, Qatar & The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the operational and strategic integration that is required and the turnaround time that he is able to furnish deliverables is second to none The engagement he is able to muster from the Senior management team is a true indication of his organizational agility and ability to manage relationships at all levels. He is a great motivator, personable and inspiring. He is indeed a pleasure to work with, a highly accomplished HR professional, and a wonderful human being altogether.
Shiela Mendoza, CHRP, CPST
Mr. Uchenna had always been a true leader for me. He has a hands-on approach to career coaching and a genuine heart that won the respect of the staff. He has a unique ability to organize the working process in a way that lets employees demonstrate the full extent of their professional skills. A wonderful sense of humor in combination with deep empathy enabled him to lift my spirits in exceptionally stressful situations. I had the pleasure of working with a manager that was both my mentor and a friend
MERCY MATHEW - MBA, CBA, CHRP, CHRM
Uchenna is a passionate and driven HR leader who breathes and lives the business he supports with the extreme capability of delivering great results, he is never afraid of facing and overcoming new and daily challenges. He’s very creative, a skilled planner with excellent people skills As a senior HR professional, Uchenna brings a variety of skills both to the team and to the organization which includes an impeccable dedication, high commitment to the job, constantly achieving the best results, great stakeholder management skills, ability to establish trusted relationships with senior stakeholders whilst supporting the overall business goals He has a flawless functional delivery approach. One of the most compelling and impactful realizations was his key role in the creation/ setting up of not just the UAE Business Units but also Oman, Qatar & The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the operational and strategic integration that is required and the turnaround time that he is able to furnish deliverables is second to none The engagement he is able to muster from the Senior management team is a true indication of his organizational agility and ability to manage relationships at all levels. He is a great motivator, personable and inspiring. He is indeed a pleasure to work with, a highly accomplished HR professional, and a wonderful human being altogether.
Credentials
-
Certified International Corporate Human Resource Manager
American Institute of Business and Management (AIBM)Oct, 2019- Sep, 2024 -
Certified International Corporate Human Resource Manager
Dubai- Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA)Oct, 2019- Sep, 2024 -
Member of Malaysia Institute of Management (MIM)
Malaysia Institute of Management (MIM)May, 2014- Sep, 2024 -
Member of Institute of Marketing Malaysia (IMM)
Institute of Marketing Malaysia (IMM)Nov, 2011- Sep, 2024
Experience
-
Gastronaut Hospitality
-
United Arab Emirates
-
Hospitality
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Human Resources and Training Director | TROVE | BOHOX | LEZZET | THE NEFES | GASTRONAUT HOSPITALITY
-
Nov 2021 - Present
• In charge of HR, Training, Business Development, Legal, and Administrative Affairs.• Oversees recruitment, selection and staffing.• Oversees the end-to-end visa processing.• Responsible for organizational departmental planning and development.• Responsible for performance management and improvement systems.• Ensuring compliance with regulatory concerns regarding employees and the company.• Advising the management in appropriate resolution of employee and company legal issues.• Responsible for employee onboarding and offboarding, development, needs assessment, and training.• Responsible for developing and documenting standard operating procedures and policies, job descriptions, organizational structure, and employment contracts.• Responsible for compensation and benefits administration.• Responsible for employee safety, welfare, wellness, and health.• In charge of employee services and counselling.• Developing a training culture within the restaurant group.• Defining the order of service within the restaurants and training our teams to follow it accordingly.• Contributing towards the employee development and retention strategy, through the development of the learning and development culture.• Creating induction plans and orientation for new team members on all levels within the restaurant (management included). This includes, but not limited to, company handbook, product knowledge information and training plans. • Engaging in continuous training- identifying areas for improvement within the teams and act upon them accordingly.• Appointing in-house front of the house designated trainers within each restaurant. • Assisting the unit managers in delivering appraisals and regular performance reviews.• Continuously identifying new ways to improve quality within our restaurants.• Overseeing the completion and accuracy of payroll.• Developing and maintaining a HR system that meets top management information needs.• Preparing budget for HR operations.
-
-
-
Q Food & Beverage
-
Türkiye
-
Restaurants
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Corporate Regional HR and Training Manager | HUQQA | The Galliard Restaurant | Atasay Holding
-
May 2019 - Mar 2021
• In Charge of all Human Resources and Government Relations Pre-Opening and Operational responsibilities of all our brands in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar & The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.• Created the company's Staffing Plan.• Created the Company's Handbook and Orientation Modules.• Responsible for attracting the right pool of candidates for selective and walk-in interviews.• Created the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the company.• Developed the Organisational Hierarchy of the company.• Created the job descriptions of different work groups and management of the company.• Created the company's Employment Contract.• Created the company's Training Handbooks, Modules and Plans.• In charge of Training and Developing the management and staff members.• Responsible for selecting and organising a team of Designated Trainers for the company.• Developed the company's Training Evaluation Plan.• Developed the company’s Employee Career Development Plan.• Created the company’s Employee Performance Evaluation Scheme.
-
-
HR & Training and Development Manager | HUQQA | The Galliard Restaurant | Atasay Holding
-
Nov 2017 - Apr 2019
• Created the company's staffing plan.• Helped to attract the right pool of candidates for selective and walk-in interviews.• In charge of recruiting and selecting new staff members.• In charge of subscribing to effective CV search and job posting platforms.• In charge of posting and advertising job openings for the company.• Developed the organizational hierarchy of the company.• Created the job descriptions of different workgroups and management of the company.• Assisted in creating the company's employment contract.• Follows up with newly hired staff members.• Prepares and documents the offer letters of newly hired staff members.• In charge of training and developing the management and staff members.• Responsible for selecting and organizing a team of designated trainers for the company.• In charge of designing effective training programs for the management and staff members.• Developed the company's training evaluation form.• Developed the company’s employee career development plan.• Created the company’s employee performance evaluation scheme.• Assist in modifying the company’s standard operating procedures.• In charge of developing the employees’ handbook.
-
-
-
-
Operations Training Manager, 2014
-
Jul 2014 - Oct 2017
• Led a team of thirteen that developed and implemented a strategy that resulted to the turnaround of the restaurant’s tables 30% faster in 2015. This was mainly achieved by streamlining the service process and improving the customer-organizational relationship. This led to 15% increase in both sales and profit for the organization.• Worked with a team of four trainers to reduce the increasing number of guests’ complains in the first quarter of 2015. This was achieved by training the employees extensively on how to maintain a professional and courteous attitude at all times, even when confronted with hostile and impatient guests. This helped to reduce guest complains by 95% by the last quarter of the year.• Led a team of eight to train the staff on how to work safely and how to care for the restaurant in order to keep it clean and sound at all times. This helped to reduce work hazard and also improve the ambiance of the restaurant significantly. Received an award from the Cheesecake Factory Restaurant as the best operations assistant in 2015, as a result.
-
-
-
-
Business Analysis Officer, 2011- 2013
-
Jul 2011 - May 2014
• Worked with a team of twelve to develop an overall change management strategy, which helped to boost the organization’s profit by 16% in 2013. This was achieved by consulting with functional unit management and personnel to identify, define and document business needs and objectives, current operational procedures, problems, input and output requirements, and levels of systems access. • Assigned in 2012 to act as a liaison between departmental end-users, technical analysts, information technology analysts, consultants and other governmental organizations in the analysis, design, configuration, testing and maintenance of case management systems to ensure optimal operational performance. This helped to identify opportunities for improving business processes through information systems and non-system driver changes in 2012 and 2013.• Led a team of four to prepare proposals to develop new systems and operational changes. This was achieved by analyzing the feasibility of, and developing requirements for, new systems and enhancements to existing systems. This also helped to ensure that the new system designed fits the needs of the users.
-
-
-
-
Restaurant Manager
-
Mar 2008 - Mar 2011
• Accomplished restaurant human resource objectives by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, assigning, scheduling, coaching, counselling, and disciplining employees; communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, appraising, and reviewing job contributions; planning and reviewing compensation actions and enforcing policies and procedures.• Achieved restaurant operational objectives by contributing information and recommendations to strategic plans and reviews; preparing and completing action plans; productivity, quality, and customer-service standards; resolving problems; completing audits; identifying trends; determining system improvements and implementing changes.• Controlled costs by reviewing portion control and quantities of preparation; minimizing waste and ensuring high quality of preparation. This helped to increase the restaurant's profit by 15% in 2010 and 2011.• Maintained a secure and healthy environment by establishing, following, and enforcing sanitation standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations; securing revenues; developing and implementing disaster plans and maintaining security.• Maintained a great ambiance by controlling sanitation, lighting, background music, linen service, glassware, dinnerware, and utensil quality and placement, and monitoring food presentation and service.
-
-
-
-
Buyer, 2006- 2008
-
Jan 2006 - Jan 2008
• Assigned in 2006 to a team of eight to enhance the negotiation tactics of the organization. As a result, a management program was developed to help in effectively negotiating the procurement of all the organization’s equipment and third party services, including processing and input of computerized purchase orders. This led to 22% cost minimization in 2006 and 33% in 2007.• Led a team of ten to improve the organization’s management plans for stock levels and reaction to changes in demand and logistics. This helped to improve the organization’s supply chain management and stock level awareness by 98% and also resulted in a significant reduction in storage cost.• Assigned to a team of eleven to help maintain and boost the relationship between the organization and its current and potential suppliers. This helped the company to receive its supplies at the right time and at reasonable prices, thereby increasing its customers’ satisfaction and profitability.
-
-
-
-
Owner/Manager:
-
Jan 2003 - Jan 2008
• Consistently achieved top sales throughout the five years duration of operating a retail and wholesale BMW and Mercedes Benz Spare parts business by differentiating the business from its competitors through offering competitive prices and quality products to customers. This led to 20% increase in sales and profit, on average, throughout the duration of the business.• Financial management; developed forecast of revenue, expenditure and profit. Wrote a viable business plan for five years that led to sound business decisions and consistent profit.• Managed performance, marketing programs, sales and training of six employees. Created sustainable accountability and motivation with employees through sales reward programs and cash reward.• Expansion; opened another outlet at a new and strategic location and also started selling BMW and Mercedes Benz automobiles in 2005.
-
-
Education
-
2008 - 2011
University of Hertfordshire
B. A First Class Honours, Business Administration and Management, General -
2011 - 2014
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
Master of Science In Management and Economics -
2013 - 2013
Overseas International Academy
Diploma in French Language, Foreign Languages and Literatures, General -
2012 - 2012
Overseas International Academy
Diploma in Hebrew Language, Foreign Languages and Literatures, General -
2012 - 2012
Overseas International Academy
Diploma in Greek Language, Foreign Languages and Literatures, General -
2008 - 2011
University of Hertfordshire
Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) In Business Administration, First Class
Community
