Abbas Mehdi

General Manager at BRILLANTEZ LLC-FZ

• United Arab Emirates - Dubai
• My current job since January 2024

A startup based in Dubai into Marketing Management, Management Consultancy, Distribution Management, Import & Export of Building materials, Industrial products etc. focused on the markets of U.A.E, K.S.A, India, East Africa etc.

Consultant - Marketing at A Reputed Building Materials Company

• Saudi Arabia - Yanbu
• December 2022 to December 2023

 Leading Marketing Department of the company, developing marketing strategies that support business objectives.
 Overseeing development & execution of all marketing campaigns such as repositioning the new branding within and outside organisation for GCC region primarily with K.S.A & U.A.E markets focus.
 Creation of marketing collaterals, development of new website etc. with the Design Agency.
 Customer segment & Project sector wise marketing strategy development & implementation
 Engagement with Specifiers through Exhibitions, Seminars etc.to create brand & products awareness and support advantage specifications in projects along with Specification team.
 Supporting Channel Partners, Retail & Project Sales Teams in monthly sales & delivery targets achievement in co-ordination with Customer Service Department
 Analysis of projects database, sales data etc. and supporting Sales team in targets achievement with reasonable margins as per our business plan.
 Strategic partnership with OEM manufacturers for outsourced products, development of new packaging, marketing collaterals & pricing strategy for traded products (Product management)
 Enhancing brand visibility in the market through outdoor promotions.
 Development of CRM with the Software Consultants & IT Team, successful launch & implementation for the Sales & Customer Service Team.
 Review & allocation of annual marketing budget for marketing activities to achieve optimum results in demand generation to support sales.
 Manage and mentor marketing team for effective performance and growth of department
 Collaboration with Design & Research Agencies, staying up-to-date with industry trends & best practices introduction in the organisation for continuous improvement.

Director – Marketing at Knauf India Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi (Gurgaon), India

• India - New Delhi
• August 2021 to September 2022

 Head of Marketing Dept. at Corporate Level
 Played a key role in the Integration of Knauf India & USGBoral India operations with focus on new brand-launch, awareness creation & premium positioning.
 Channel Development & Product Portfolio Strategy implementation leading to a sustainable profitable growth of the Company.
 As Executive Committee Member reporting to the CEO, responsibility for EBITDA increase for Knauf India business.
 Leading a team comprising B&C Manager, Trade Mktg. Manager & Product Managers for re-branding & successful launch of USGKnauf branded product portfolio in India mkt.
 Review of product costing & pricing with the Procurement Team & Product Managers.
Success & Accomplishments
 Successful Integration of Knauf India & USGBoral India operations leading to USGKnauf product brand launch within 8 month’s time span( April to Nov’21).
 Re-structured job responsibilities for the Marketing Team to effectively work with Sales, Specification & Technical Dept. ensuring customer satisfaction & business growth.

Country Manager-Business Development at Knauf Gypsum India Pvt. Ltd. Chennai, India

• India - Chennai
• November 2016 to July 2021

Roles & Responsibilities

 Established first Knauf India office & manufacturing operations of Knauf Group in India with direct reporting to the Managing Director- GCC & India.
 New products development & successful launch in the market with the Marketing team.
 Setting up distributor and dealer network for imported & locally manufactured products all over India, Sri Lanka & Nepal markets
 Operations Management of Knauf business- ensuring systems & processes are in place.
 Managing a team comprising Sales, Marketing & Specifications Managers with additional responsibility of supervising local Logistics, Admin, Finance & Production team at Knauf India.
 Established Knauf brand in both projects & distribution market segments.
 Involved in strategic alliances & approvals with Government organizations such as National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Central Public Works Department(CPWD), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Airports Authority of India etc.
 Participation in Events & Exhibitions to promote Knauf products & systems such as Drywall Partitions, Ceilings, Raised Flooring etc. for the building interiors industry.
 Ensuring monthly, quarterly & annual targets are achieved by the reporting sales team with optimum costs.
 Regular reporting to the Line Manager/Managing Director based at regional head office of Knauf Group in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
 Close co-ordination with Knauf U.A.E Head Office teams from Plant, Customer Service, Technical, Procurement, Finance & Logistics Departments for India region related material forecasts, production planning, project & stock-based supplies, enquiries mgmt. & successful order execution.
 Regular visits to the regional HQ in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for Management meetings, trainings, client visits to the Knauf production plant & project sites.

Success & Accomplishments
 Successfully developed & launched several new products as per India market demand during 2017-19
 Achieved sales turnover growth of 54% in 2018 and 53% in 2019
 Achieved plasterboard volume growth from 0.80 Mio.m2 to 3.08 Mio.m2 (From 2016 to 2019)
 Annual sales budget achievement with average double digit EBITDA year on year basis.
 Increased customer base / distribution network from 12 to 100+ from 2016 to 2019
 Secured & successfully executed some landmark projects in India & Sri Lanka mkts for Drywall Systems.

Sales Manager-Middle East at Industrial Acoustics Company, Dubai-U.A.E

• United Arab Emirates - Dubai
• August 2015 to October 2016

Roles & Responsibilities
 Marketing & sales of architectural acoustic products for building interiors such as Acoustic & fire performance Steel Doors-Windows, Wall & Ceiling Acoustic panels, Modular acoustic studios & music rooms, Audiometric rooms etc.
 Focus on commercial construction sectors such as Hotels, Hospitals, Retail, Offices, Theme Parks, Government Buildings etc.
 Promotion of HVAC range of noise control systems such as acoustic louvres/barriers, sound attenuators, vibration control products, floating floor system etc.
 Project based sales by getting IAC systems/solutions specified through Acoustic & Engineering Consultants, Architects, Interior Designers & clients.
 Established dealer network for full G.C.C market coverage to ensure local products availability for timely delivery to projects & customers.

Business Development Manager – U.A.E & East Africa at Knauf LLC. Dubai-U.A.E

• United Arab Emirates - Dubai
• March 2007 to July 2015

Roles & responsibilities
 Marketing & sales of Interior Finishing Building Systems comprising Gypsum Board & Cement Board Partition Walls/Ceilings, Flooring, Wall Linings, Acoustic Ceilings, Gypsum Plasters, Insulation Material & Galvanized Steel Profiles etc.to Construction Companies, Interior Finishing Contractors/Applicators, Building Material Traders etc. in the United Arab Emirates/G.C.C & East Africa markets.
 Involved in specification of Partition & Ceiling Systems for projects through Architects, Interior Designers, Engineering Consultants etc.
 Preparation of Techno-Commercial proposals for projects, ssecuring projects from the stage of specification through to follow up, negotiations and execution.
 Establishment of a strong supply chain network in the U.A.E and export markets of G.C.C countries & East Africa comprising Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia etc.
 Achieved quarterly/annual sales targets set by the management.
 Dealer/key accounts management, providing training, ensuring technical & logistics support, securing stock/project-based orders.
 Ensuring timely execution of domestic & export orders in co-ordination with the Logistics Department.
 Conversant with EXIM Policy/Procedures.
 Preparation of business plan, projects report & database management through CRM.
 Competition study, market survey, reviewing product pricing etc.
 Focus on Relationship Building with clients for regular business/repeat orders.
 Very good contacts with Eminent Architects, Consultants, Contractors, Developers, Interior Fit-out Companies, Applicators, Building Material suppliers etc.
 Internal Auditor for the QMS Implementation in the organization for ISO Certification.
 Active participation in Exhibitions/Trade Shows, Seminars & Professional events for product promotion, business development, market awareness, networking with decision makers from the building /construction industry.
Success & Accomplishments
 Established Knauf brand in project segment through Specifiers in the U.A.E, Qatar, Oman mkts.etc.
 Secured landmark projects such as Burj Khalifa, Ibis & Novotel Hotel chain, Atlantis The Palm Island development, Dubai Mall etc.
 Launched & established Knauf branded products in export markets such as East Africa, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka etc.
 Established distribution business of Knauf with focus on the U.A.E & East Africa markets.

6. November 2005 - February 2007 : VBH Middle East FZCO, Dubai-U.A.E : Product Manager
7. July 2004- October 2005 : Arab Building Materials Co. Dubai-U.A.E : Sr. Sales Engineer
8. March 2003- June 2004 : DSCL Fenesta Building Systems, New Delhi-India : Asst.Manager-Sales
9. June 1999 - February 2003 : AIMIL Ltd, Lucknow-India : Sales Engineer- UP Region

Sr. Sales Engineer at Arab Building Materials Co.

• United Arab Emirates
• July 2004 to October 2005