Abbas Mehdi

• Senior Manager- Sales & Business Development of a Dubai-based Company specializing in Sales & Marketing Consultancy for Building & Construction Material, Industrial Product Companies.
• Distributor/Channel Partners Management, Pricing Strategy, Import-Export of Construction & Building Materials, Industrial Products etc. for the Building Contractors, Traders/Dealers, Joineries, Interior Fit-out & Retail Display Contractors, Laminated Panel manufacturing companies, Drywall Contractors & Installers, Manufacturers of Furniture & Sanitaryware, Automotive sector etc.
• Representing international companies from Europe & India.
• Focused on the markets of the U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, India, and East Africa

Roles & Responsibilities:
• Led the Marketing Department, devised strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Directed marketing campaigns, including repositioning the brand within the G.C.C region, with a focus on construction markets of K.S.A. and the U.A.E
• Oversaw the creation of marketing materials and collaborated with design agency to develop a new website.
• Developed and implemented marketing strategies tailored to customer segments and project sectors.
• Engaged with contractors & specifiers through exhibitions and seminars to enhance brand and product awareness to boost sales.
• Supported channel partners, retail, and project teams in achieving monthly sales targets.
• Analysed project & customer databases, and sales data to assist the sales team in meeting targets with favourable margins.
• Established strategic partnerships with OEM manufacturers, managed new product development and pricing strategies.
• Increased brand visibility through outdoor promotions targeting Contractors & Interior-Fitout subcons
• Collaborated with the CRM Consultant in the development and implementation of C4C-CRM system for the sales, projects and customer service teams.
• Managed annual marketing budgets to optimize demand generation and support sales growth
• Prepared annual sales targets & business plan for the Sales team in co-ordination with the Sales Director
• Mentored the marketing team for effective performance and departmental growth.
• Fostered collaboration with design and research agencies to integrate industry trends and adapted to best practices for continuous improvement.

 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.

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.

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.

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