Managing Director
SIC Invent Shanghai Limited
Total years of experience :35 years, 10 Months
Management Operationa and Finance
M&A and company integration management
Advisory for International Corporations in investments and privatization in Serbia
I have advised one of the largest international logistic and port operator companies (Rhenus Logistics) in privatizing the Port of Novi Sad in Serbia. The procedure included the initiative for the privatization decision, meetings with the Prime Minister and relevant authorities, financials analysis and tender preparation. Unfortunately due to the complex bureaucracy in Serbia, despite my complete commitment and effort, we were not able to complete the project in the time period allotted. The public call has not been issued yet but I am still working on the project and hope to conclude it in the next few months.
Main responsibilities
• Complete advisory of Companies from first contact to closure for Investments and privatization in Serbia;
• Financial advisory;
• Due Dilligence;
• Contacts with Government authorities.
My main objective was to guide the CEO through the change management process transforming an inefficient state run company to perform as a profitable entity in the ever-changing and competitive open market while pointing out the direction for future development of Serbia’s largest inland port and its activities.
Main responsibilities:
• Strategic planning of future development of the Port of Novi Sad;
• Review of optimization of current processes (speed and simplicity);
• Development of new business;
• Manage relations with VIP clients, high level bank representatives and suppliers;
• Financial advisory;
Head of Sales Department/CSO
As Deputy CSO and CSO I successfully implemented the target plan, reorganized the sales department to be more flexible as well as customer oriented and led UniCredit Leasing to the number 1 position on the Serbian market in terms of new business volume financed.
Under my leadership UniCredit Leasing placed the winning bid for the largest public tender for financing of city buses for the Belgrade Transport Authority in the amount of 3.5 million Euros
Main responsibilities
• Monitoring of retail and corporate activities (daily business, responsiveness to dealer and client requests, bank business, SME campaign re launch, etc.);
• Review of processes (speed and simplicity);
• Workflow optimization ( Retail and Corporate);
• People management (general people management tasks, weekly meetings, performance reviews, etc.);
• Interface with channel management;
• Identification of target clients, establish first contact and keep high level relationships;
• Manage relations with VIP clients, high level bank representatives and suppliers;
• Manage all branches (daily business, direct and bank customers, dealers);
• Development of new business and reporting.
My main task was to complete the acquisition (Greenfield and Brownfield) of 4 strategically placed distribution centers across Serbia to maintain optimum distribution channels for our principals (BAT, Telenor, Strauss Coffee, etc). I have also successfully negotiated long term local and cross border financing at favorable conditions.
Main responsibilities:
• Development of logistic centers for group purposes domestically and in the areas of expansion;
• Developed Direct Group Headquarters in Zemun Polje in the amount of 10 million Euro (Greenfield);
• Purchased Distribution Center in Novi Sad in the amount of 1.2 million (Brownfield);
• Negotiating purchase of Distribution Center Nis in the amount of 800.000 Euro (Brownfield);
• Securing of project financing ( local/cross border);
• Negotiations and selection of general contractors, monitoring, architects, consultants, etc.;
• Complete project management;
• Facility Management of centers;
• Development of turn key projects for third parties.
During this brief period I introduced a new product (chewing gum) which turned out to be the most profitable unit of the Group.
Main responsibilities
•Selection of new products suitable for distribution by group;
•Market research and import procedure;
•Set up of operation (Price calculation, selection of channels, budgeting, marketing and promotional activities, etc.);
•Product launch and post launch activities;
•Extensive experience in Supply Chain Management of FMCGs;
•Fleet optimization (LPG, GPS, Route planning, etc.)
During the climax of the financial leasing market in Serbia, I contributed to HAA Leasing being the number 1 leasing company in Serbia with more than 300 million Euro of new business financed in a market of more than 20 leasing companies and a combined financed amount of roughly 1 billion Euro. I was also responsible for the reorganization of the sales department and development of a network of branches across Serbia.
Main responsibilities:
• Coordination and control of current branches as well as development and organization of new branches;
• Ensuring that all targets given by Management Board are met and analysis of all relevant statistical data;
• Analyzing and implementing strategy with Management Board;
• Planning of annual sales targets together with Management Board;
• Maintaining relations with VIP Clients and Suppliers;
• Coordination and control of Heads of Sales Department and Back Office;
• Hiring of new employees;
• Representing Leasing unit at Credit Committee of Hypo Alpe Adria Bank.
Head of Sales Department - Main responsibilities:
• Reorganization of sales department and back office in Country Headquarters;
• Planning of new marketing activities with existing dealers and acquiring new ones (Fairs, Car promotions, etc);
• Managing key accounts as well as fleet management;
• Introduction of operating leasing as well as real estate leasing;
• Organizing seminars and training for employees;
• Establish all adequate mechanisms of management, motivation and control of employees in the department.
Director of Export/Import Department
Managing Director Agri Trading Geneva Switzerland
During my time at MK Group I have participated in the privatization of several state companies, including the 4 biggest sugar refineries in Serbia. Furthermore I was in charge of setting up a holding company for the owner in Switzerland and all the activities with the transfer of capital and reorganization of his corporation.
As person responsible for the export of sugar, I successfully achieved and over performed my targets and made MK Commerce to be the biggest Serbian sugar exporter and trader.
Main responsibilities:
• Plan, develop, control and coordinate all business activities towards foreign trade with all products out of MK Commerce and MK Group portfolio;
• Focusing on successful placement of strategic products of the group on international markets in regards to maximizing profit, development of the sales network and increasing market share;
• Establish and maintain direct business relations with key partners and authorities abroad which have direct influence on access and availability of products from MK Group portfolio;
• Set up of foreign subsidiaries and all activities involved ( legal, financial, HR, etc.);
• Establish and maintain relations with all relevant government authorities in the field of foreign trade and agribusiness, on the municipal, republic and international level;
• Develop and optimize intra - departmental relations and direct reporting inside MK Commerce-a and MK Group;
• Control and manage all cost associated with payments ensuring all MK Group criteria are met;
• Establish all adequate mechanisms of management, motivation, development and control of employees in the department;
• Head all activities in regards to relations with EBRD and other international financial institutions;
• As President of the Board of Directors of sugar factory “ Donji Srem” plan and analyze strategic issues and further development of factory.
• Analyze and develop customer base in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for outsourcing of tailor made software solutions;
• Plan and execute the proper marketing strategies;
• Gather additional knowledge of networking systems and its implementation.
Managing Director
During this period I have contributed to the introduction of new products to the market in Yugoslavia, including fashion jewelry, consumer electronics, office supplies, etc. I have successfully identified suppliers in the Far East and developed relations with large importers and department stores in Yugoslavia.
Main responsibilities:
• Develop main sales market in Yugoslavia for products manufactured in Far East (Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Singapore, etc.);
• Analyze markets and products, set up sales projections, develop distribution channels;
• Execute and control all financial instruments with banks, suppliers, customers, etc.;
• Travel to factories in the Far East to ensure all qualitative and quantitative targets are met;
• Set up of wholesale and retail business of fashion clothing in USA, including purchasing, import, retail, etc.
• Office administration;
• Marketing and sales of all kinds of consumer products, import and export activities and freight forwarding coordination.