regional manger - sales, catering, events and adaptive retail format
Americana food group
Total years of experience :26 years, 9 Months
Spearheaded and implemented new business revenue streams within Americana’s
formats increasing year one revenues by 33%.
• New revenue stream: Adaptive retail formats - Project managed the complete cycle from market mapping, lease negotiation, concept design, feasibility studies, procurement, project build and mobilization for various adaptive formats utilizing 20/40ft shipping containers concepts, Modular kitchen concepts, Dark kitchens, Food trucks, Food trailers and Kiosks. Opening over 50 new restaurants driving CAPEX efficiencies whilst maximizing ROI across the UAE & KSA.
• New revenue stream: Event F&B solutions - Utilize Americana brands within large scale events. This Includes - Designing F&B proposals and service solutions in line with clients’ requirements whilst proposing partnership/sponsorships along with value added VIK proposition creating win-win situations.
• Managed complete cycle on event mobilization and execution days, asset implementation, load in loud out, MEP and infrastructure setup, menus, POS systems, staffing, accreditation whilst proactively solving any issues on hand. Events include, Abu Dhabi F1, Dubai rugby 7’s, Dubai Airshow, Dubai world cup horse racing, UFC Arena, Midlebeast, Riyad session, Haj in KSA along with being awarded exclusive QSR caterer at the Asia football cup operating over 3 stadiums. FIFA Africa cup of nations in Egypt operating over 2 stadiums and Dubai cricket stadiums T20 events.
• New revenue stream B2B & B2C catering orders - Set up bulk order discount scheme and catering packages, utilized by store managers to drive store specific sales.
• Manage and oversee 12 children’s party hall within the UAE across KFC, Hardees, Pizza hut Krispy Kreme.
• Lead and motivated a team of 6.
• Reporting to the CDO
Managing all aspects of catering and equipment solutions supplied to airline operators within the Middle East, including Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Oman Air, Kuwait Airways, Saudi Airlines, Gulf Air and smaller local carriers.
Responsible and accountable for a P&L amounting to 97 million USD of inflight catering contracts over 28 locations spread throughout EMEA, APAC, LATAM and NA.
Build, set, present and execute strategic global account plans for each customer looking at profile, position, understanding needs, customer engagement, mapping global landscape, setting strategies and goals, action plans and performance tracking as agreed and aligned with internal stake holder buy ins.
Maximize accounts profitability taking onto consideration all aspects from supply chain thorough to service delivery.
Establish, maintain and grow positive client relationships making the step from supplier to partnership through value added propositions and projects looking at key operational aspects, culinary and operational excellence placing the customer first and foremost.
Ensure each account is contractually compliant whilst operating within set expectations taking into account, culinary, menu specs, quality control measure, inventory control and stock management, GLP adherence, HACCP and hygiene best practices all set alongside customers contractual SLA’s and KPI’s.
Coordinate new and incumbent tenders, negotiate contracts and pricing levels. Seek and hunt future openings in the market place via understand airlines future global expansion plans.
Responsible and accountable for an annual turnover of 64 million DHS on contract catering and facilities management contracts over 42 contracts spread across the UAE.
Compile, review and agree on annual budget requirements.
Directly managing an operational team with 11 direct reports, 350 in-direct reports operating across the UAE within 42 remote and offshore sites along with two central kitchens producing 25, 000 meals per day.
Implemented ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001, whilst ensuring ISO 22000-2005 and ISO 9001 TQS are adhered to.
Designed, developed, automated and produced reports to monitor cost control performance in each location.
Mentoring Area Mangers and HSE Mangers to continually improve site plans, customer service, quality of product and best practices whilst ensuring continual operational effectiveness.
Review tenders and proposals along with Commercial Manger in order to gain and maintain contracts.
Work alongside and in line with each department head from HR setting up recruitment plans for new contract mobilizing, back filling staff to supply chain and logistics looking at distribution centers, transport and trucking
˃ Project managed and spearheaded a team of 80 staff in the startup, purposely built, new in-flight catering unit located in Tbilisi, Georgia.
˃ Engaged and guided all staff within their area of expertise to confidentially conduct their required tasks to their full potential.
˃ Ensured customer satisfaction by provided excellent accounts management to all clients including: British Airways, Ukraine International Airlines and industrial catering accounts for British Petroleum, Georgian Petroleum and ensure SLA and SOP’S are followed.
˃ Designed the internal sections for the facility including offices, central stores, freezers, workstations, kitchen layout etc, whilst utilizing available space to ensure work flow and efficiency.
˃ Oversee facility operations including food production areas, laundry, central and equipment stores, airport operations and logistics, procurement, finance and HR.
˃ Responsible for the overall profit and loss within the catering unit reporting to the Vice President and Founder.
˃ Cost out and designed menu presentations in order to secure catering contracts based on, client’s budgets and specific requirements.
˃ Ensured that the menu cycle is adapted in accordance with cost targets but continues to meet client expectations of quality and variety
˃ Implemented production, flight packing, delivery and preventative maintenance schedules.
˃ Implemented a food safety management system based on HACCP principles, built a HACCP team, implemented CCP’s forms and records documentation for external/internal audits.
˃ Established and trained all airside operational staff on the aspects of operating airside, ensure that staff follow the correct guidelines when operating in a live airside airport environment.
˃ Held weekly management meetings looking at KPI’s and any NCR’s that have been raised, looked at ways to decrease wastage and increase productivity.
˃ Conducted quality and safety checks on board aircraft's in relation to our products being served and staff that attended the flights.
ights.
˃ Bought and ran my own successful restaurant situated on a UK high street. Business was sold for a 12% profit after one year.
˃ Operated as a self-employed VAT registered trader, set up accounting system in line with HMRC VAT requirements, submitted my own UK VAT returns and accounts.
˃ Involved in all daily operations including: Customer service, kitchen, administrative actives, delegating tasks, purchasing from local suppliers and farms.
˃ Developed the business through, staff training, branding, menu design and rotation, internal and external visual merchandising, customer feedback, following market trends, loyalty cards flyer distribution and using various social and media outlets.
˃ Focused on handmade dishes using locally sourced, organic, fair-trade products.
˃ Coordinated air charter operator and ground operations to ensure a safe and on time departure relating to aircraft handling, baggage, cleaning, catering, fuelling and other flight day issues
˃ Conduct quality control checks on flight crew and ground staff at all bases to ensure quality standard are being followed, suggested and implemented any corrective actions when required.
˃ Initiated Dubai airport check-in process and ensured that DFS SOP’s and SLA’s were followed.
˃ Proactively solved all passenger issues relating to the flights including but not limited to ticketing, baggage and seating problems.
˃ Ensured that aircraft arrival slot times (PPR) in outstations are correct as per time of aircraft departure and arrival and ensured that we have an “on-time” departure.
˃ Ensuring all paperwork was correctly completed collected and that the necessary information was passed on to the correct parties.
˃ Carried out pre-flight duties, including safety checks, equipment checks and ensure the safety of passengers from the time of boarding all the way through to disembarking.
˃ Provided a first class F&B service focusing on attention to detail and ensuring a quality product was being served and customer satisfaction was paramount.
˃ Provided first aid on a first responder basis.
˃ Proactively solving any problems whilst on board and proactively handling passenger complains and disputations.
˃ Responsible for directing and overseeing 300 staff within the operations department on a shift basis, reporting directly to the Operations Managers.
˃ Oversaw the packing and delivery of 34, 000 meals per shift.
˃ Generated and implemented a six days rolling roster within the operations department utilizing staff and resources.
˃ Lead a team of five ramp coordinators and three unit dispatchers responsible for all catering deliveries to over 50 aircrafts per shift including arrival, departures and VIP flights.
˃ Part of the safety committee team that conducted training on airport safety awareness and SOP’s when servicing a flight for new staff in the department.
˃ Monitored all flight movements on the airport coordinating staff and delivery vehicles.
˃ Accountable for all trouble shooting operational problems including flight delays, on time catering delivery, meal increases, aircraft changes and stand changes.
˃ Maintained a high level of business relations and ensure SLA’s and SOP are followed.
˃ Abela Airline Catering utilized two purpose built facilities to cater to major airlines operating within London Heathrow Airport.
˃ Accountable for equipment processing, warehousing and logistics.
˃ Assembling duty free/duty paid bonded goods, equipment/dry store packing and supply chain delivery.
˃ Responsible for flight delivery of all items required as per contracts and signing of with senior cabin crew on a per flight basis.
˃ Responsible for delivery of all items as per contracts for servicing two airport lounges on a daily basis.
8 GCSE