Abbas Poonawala, Director - Projects (A/V, ELV & Security Systems)

Abbas Poonawala

Director - Projects (A/V, ELV & Security Systems)

DeLite Engineering Center

Location
Kuwait - Al Kuwait
Education
Master's degree, Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Experience
31 years, 11 Months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :31 years, 11 Months

Director - Projects (A/V, ELV & Security Systems) at DeLite Engineering Center
  • Kuwait - Al Kuwait
  • My current job since August 2023

 Inspired, motivated & led teams of upto 180 staffs toward the successful execution of business / exceeded set business goals.
 Complete P&L ownership / successfully delivered revenue exceeding USD 50 mil.
 Gave strategic direction to the business; developed growth strategies; created opportunities; maximized businesses.
 Made new business start-ups, expansions & acquisitions; induced organic & inorganic growth.
 Induced innovation and differentiation in every SBUs and carved new niche markets.
 Conducted due diligence of the business, restructured / reorganized teams, achieved KPIs.
 Monitored and analysed business performance; developed & tracked business growth strategies; identified areas of growth & improvement; converted opportunities into revenue.
 Efficiently liaised with the Owners & Board of Directors; effectively manage stakeholders & govt authorities.
 Developed Business Plans, Sales & Marketing Plans, Business Continuity Plan, Succession Plans etc and oversaw their implementation.
 Developed policies & procedures in line with the company’s Mission, Vision and Culture.
 Developed a culture of continuous improvement, Total Quality Management & operational excellence.
 Represented the company on international & national levels; built PR /collected market intelligence.
 Ensured speedy resolution of grievances to maximize customer satisfaction and business.
 Planning, forecasting & annual budgeting for achievement of budgets.
 Formulated and implemented innovative ATL and BTL programs to increase sales and boost brand loyalty.
 Conducted competitor analysis & competency mapping to keep abreast of the changing market trends.
 Tender bidding, pricing, contract negotiations, execution & successful projects closeout.
 Successfully managed large critical infra-structure (CI) & national security / defence projects.
 Executed Project / Program Management Plans; met performance baselines; achieved deliverables within the project constraints (cost, time, scope, quality, risks, resources & customer satisfaction).
 Managed Channel Partners, System Integrators & end customers;
 Devised dynamic pricing strategies to counter competition; conducted market research and monitored the supply chain to ensure product availability.
 Offered security consultancy to client; conducted Risk & Threat assessment; prepared Security Master Plan.

Director - Security Systems & Fire Systems at Group 4 Securicor (G4S) Qatar
  • Qatar - Doha
  • My current job since April 2017

Responsibilities Outlines:
 Give strategic direction to the team (120 staffs) to ensure that business objectives are achieved.
 Develop growth strategies for the Business units and oversee their implementation.
 Monitor and analyse business performance, identify areas of improvement and growth; convert opportunities into revenue.
 Manage the P&L of the business, achieved KPIs, restructure organization in line with changing business priorities.
 Develop a continuous improvement culture, Total Quality Management & deliver operational excellence.
 Ensure that appropriate policies are developed to meet the company’s mission and objectives and to be compliant with relevant statutory and regulatory requirements of the Country.
 Establish and maintain formal and informal links with major customers, relevant government departments and key decision makers to exchange information and views and ensure that the business is providing the required range and quality of services.
 Developed & implement business continuity, succession and CSR plans.

Systems & Solutions:
 Electronic Security Systems: CCTV, access control, intruder alarm, perimeter protection, gate automation, X-rays & contraband detection, thermal imaging, parking management, IOT based solutions, Intelligent Traffic Management solutions..
 Fire Alarm & Fire Fighting Systems: Fire Alarm, Water sprinklers, fire pumps, FM200, Vesda, Water Fog….
 Smart City Surveillance Solutions; Command & Control Centers; Border Security solutions; Intelligent Traffic Management Solutions; Building Automation & Energy Management Solutions, Data Centers; Smart Stadium Solutions; Drones and Anti-drone solutions; Intelligent Transport Solutions….

Group General Manager at ATESCO LLC
  • Oman - Muscat
  • August 2022 to July 2023

Responsibilities Outlines:
.. Complete P&L responsibility of the following companies:
1. ATESCO LLC: National Distributor of HIK Vision.
2. Eye International LLC: National Distributor of TP-Link.
3. Protector of Business LLC: A leading Systems Integration Company.
.. Lead the team of over 140 staffs to exceed the current revenue target of OMR 40 mil (USD 105 mil).
.. Give strategic direction to the business; create opportunities; maximize business.
.. Bring innovation and differentiation in each business and carve out new niche markets.
.. Shareholders, major vendors & key stake holder management to get their undivided attention & support.
.. Transform each of our companies into leaders in their markets.

Systems & Solutions:
.. Security Systems & ELV Solutions; IT & Networking Solutions; PA & A/V Conference Solutions; Interactive Display & LED Solutions; IP Telephony; Smart Automation Solutions etc.

Business Development Manager at SEAMLESS International
  • India - Mumbai
  • September 2019 to July 2022

Responsibilities Outlines:
 Inspire & lead the team toward the successful execution of business goals / completion of the projects.
 Tender bidding, pricing, contract negotiations, execution & project closeout.
 Plan, direct, monitor & control project activities to achieve the project’s objectives.
 Manage the project program; achieve deliverables within the project constraints (cost, time, scope, quality, risks, resources & customer satisfaction).
 Execute Project Management Plans; meet performance baselines; complete P&L responsibility.
 Manage Project Stakeholders (customer, consultants, operators, suppliers, Ops & Functional Managers).
 Use project management programs & techniques; implement quality assurance programs.

Systems & Solutions:
 Electronic Security & ELV Systems, Home Automation Solutions, Solar Energy Solutions etc…

Project Manager - Jabal Omar Development Project at Nesma
  • Saudi Arabia
  • November 2011 to March 2016

Position Held: Project Manager (ELV Systems) Country: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Projects Executed:
1. Jabal Omar Development Project (SR 3.4 Bn): Design & Build 10 SMART towers for Hilton, Hyatt & Marriott.
2. JODP District Chiller plant (DCP): Build DCP for the entire JOD Project (40 towers).
3. Infrastructure for Phase 1: Design & Build SMART infrastructure for JODP.

Responsibilities Outlines:
 Plan, direct, monitor & control project activities to achieve the project’s objectives.
 Manage the project program; achieve deliverables within the project constraints (cost, time, scope, quality, risks, resources & customer satisfaction).
 Execute the Project Management Plans; meet performance measurement baselines.
 Manage Project Stakeholders (customer, consultants, operators, suppliers, Ops & Functional Mgrs etc).
 Use project management programs & techniques; implement quality assurance programs.
 Inspire & lead the team (over a 100 staffs) toward the successful execution & closure of the project.

Systems & solutions:
 IP CCTV (Pelco-Endura); Access Control System (Lenel); Public Address System (Bosch); IPTV (Delta & VDA)
 Building Management Sys (Schneider - TAC, Siemens); Fire Alarm & Voice Evacuation Sys (UTC - Edwards);
 Communication / IT - Active Systems (HP, Cisco); Structured Cabling System (Leviton);
 Parking Mgmt System; Digital Signage; A/V Intercom; X-rays and IED detection, Emergency Call Box.

Managing Director at Group 4 Securicor (G4S)
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • February 2005 to October 2011

Career Graph: Country Manager (GM) 2005 to 2008 Country: Oman
Vice President - Systems 2008 to 2010 Saudi Arabia
Managing Director - Systems 2010 to 2011 UAE

Responsibilities Outlines:
 Gave strategic direction to the business; formulated and implemented business plans.
 Led a team of 180 personnel consisting of general managers, senior managers and staffs; communicated company objectives and goals and empowered team to achieve them.
 Monitored and analyzed business performance, identified areas of improvement and growth opportunities, and converted opportunities into revenue.
 Managed P&L, achieved KPIs, restructured organization in line with changing business priorities.
 Implemented standardized systems & processes.
 Established win-win business relationships with customers and managed key accounts.
 Made new start-ups, expansions, acquisitions and due diligence of businesses.
 Periodically communicated with board of directors regarding the progress in business.
 Developed business continuity, succession and CSR plans.
Business lines:
 Security Consultancy, Risk and Threat assessment.
 Electronic Security systems & Fire Safety solutions: CCTV, access control, intruder alarm, perimeter protection, gate automation, x-rays & contraband detection, fire detection & suppression systems.
 Fleet Management & Alarms Monitoring solutions.
 IT & Converged Solutions: Structured cabling, Secured Video Conference Solutions.
 FTTH (Fiber to the Home): ETISALAT’s contractor for Indoor & Outdoor cabling & connections.

Key Achievements:
 Posted Y-O-Y business growth of over 30%.
 Established G4S Oman among the top 5 PBITA growth companies from 120 G4S companies worldwide.
 Expeditiously completed over 20 fire projects and saved the company from a multi-million USD exposure.
 New business startups - Fleet Management, Alarm Monitoring Centers, Facility Management Services.
 Consistent doubling of Maintenance Revenue (High margin recurring income) year on year.
 Modernized infrastructure for business in all the deputations.

Manager - Sony Professional Products at Jumbo Electronics
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • May 2000 to August 2004

Position Held: Manager - Sony Professional Products Country: UAE

Responsibilities Outlines:
 Planning, forecasting, annual budgeting and achievement of Sales & Gross Margins budgets.
 Formulated and implemented innovative ATL and BTL programs to increase sales and boost brand loyalty.
 Monitored and managed sales distribution channels; trained and motivated sales staffs to achieve targets.
 Devised dynamic pricing strategies to counter competition; conducted market research and monitored the supply chain to ensure product availability.

Product lines:
 Sony Professional Product Range (Broadcast, Audio Visual, Professional Media, Medical Equipment, Security Surveillance Systems & Video Conference solutions).

Key Achievements:
 Consistently exceeded targets and doubled business in less than 3 years.
 Achieved record sales of Sony Professional Product & won several incentives / awards from Sony.

Marketing & Sales Manager at Automatic Systems Corporation
  • United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi
  • April 1999 to April 2000

Responsibilities Outlines:
 Led and managed a team of sales engineers and achieved sales targets.
 Technical system design, pricing, tendering, technical presentations and proof of concept demonstration.
 New accounts development; managed key accounts.
 Oversee execution of awarded projects, met projects deadlines and ensured customer satisfaction.

Systems & Solutions:
 Complete range of integrated security, fire alarm, public address & display solutions.

Key Achievements:
 Managed the overall installation of several security systems projects. This enriched my installation & project management skills.

Manager - Marketing & Engineering Projects at Al Farsi Enterprises
  • Oman - Muscat
  • March 1993 to October 1998

Responsibilities Outlines:
 Managed day to day business operations and lead a team of 25 technical & support staffs.
 Sourced new products & solutions from international suppliers.
 Developed business expansion strategies in consultation with the President / Owner of the company.

Business lines:
 Telecommunications & Radio Communication solutions - HF, VHF, and UHF.
 Office Automation equipment - Fax machines and photocopiers.
 Professional Audio / Video equipment & solutions.

Key Achievements:
 In my tenure in Al Farsi Enterprises I progressed from product / sales management to the management of a small company and handled its overall responsibilities (commercial, technical & personnel).

Product Marketing Manager at Philips India
  • India - Mumbai
  • July 1990 to March 1993

Responsibilities Outlines:
 Design and test circuits in Philips R&D - CTV, B/W TV, SMPS, audio amplifiers etc.
 Technical support to OEMs / partners; Identify and appoint new channel partners; market research.
 Plan, organize and manage the channels of sale to achieve required sales targets.

Product Lines:
 Colour TV, B/W TV, Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS), Audio Amplifiers, Feature phones etc.

Key Achievements:
 My prototype of 14” B/W TV was put into commercial production by one of the renowned Brand.
 Expeditiously rose to the position of a Product Manager and had many of my co-joiners report to me.

Education

Master's degree, Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • at Newport University of California
  • March 1994

Business Management & Marketing

Bachelor's degree, Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics & Telecommunications)
  • at Mumbai University
  • March 1990

First Class with Honors.

Specialties & Skills

Sales Management
Business Management
Project Management
Business Development
International Business Experience
Business Management
Business Development
Projects Management
P&L Responsibility
Sales Force Management
Operations & Maintenance Management
Partnership Management
Technical Business start-ups
Reorganising & Restructuring
Security Consultancy, Risks & threats Assessments, Security Master Plan
Smart Cities Solutions
International Business Development

Languages

English
Expert
Arabic
Beginner

Memberships

Project Management Institute
  • Member
  • December 2016

Training and Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP) (Certificate)
Date Attended:
July 2013
Valid Until:
June 2022
Import and Export Management (Certificate)
Date Attended:
December 2019
Marketing Strategy Associate (Certificate)
Digital Marketing Associate (Certificate)
Scrum (Agile) Fundamentals Certified Credential - SFC (Certificate)
Date Attended:
August 2015
Six Sigma Professional (Certificate)
Date Attended:
January 2015

Hobbies

  • Travelling, Socializing, Reading & Music