Human Resources Director
Alyasra Fashion
Total years of experience :12 years, 6 Months
Alyasra Fashion is fast approaching 300 retail stores across eight countries in the MENA region built on six pillars: High-end Fashion Retail; Donna Karan - The Pulse of New York; Fashion Watches & Accessories; Comfort & Fashion Footwear; Lingerie; Home Luxury and Value Fashion. Operations primarily in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE and Iraq markets with expansion planned.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and Chairman; providing support to the Divisional Directors across a variety of retail concepts.
Designing the HR strategy and developing the HR strategic plan; building and leading the HR team capable of its execution.
Achievements
Developed an effective HR strategy to create a performance driven culture with engaged employees and a desirable employer for external talent, resulting in an increased level of employee engagement and double the number of unsolicited quality CVs.
Designed and implemented a compensation strategy including a grading structure, market benchmarking and a bonus programme aligned with business performance, setting clear KPIs and using balanced score cards. Created competitive packages, resulting in higher employee satisfaction and retention.
Implemented a talent management programme including top leadership assessments, 360 degree reviews and individual development plans, resulting in retention of key talent, internal promotions and enhanced career opportunities.
Restructured the Saudi Arabia HR team with a focus on local expansion and increasing demands of Saudisation and Feminisation programs.
Built a Retail Academy, a cost-neutral operation, providing career paths and training across all operations.
One of the largest privately-owned companies in the Gulf region, named one of Hewitt Associates’ Best Employers in Middle East 2009. A multinational company operating in 40 countries; a multi-billion dollar conglomerate with more than 12, 000 employees in 30 businesses involved across a variety of sectors.
Reported to president; supported the VPs and GMs across a diverse portfolio of automotive, industrial, construction, engineering, retail, food and beverage, FMCG, medical as well as oil and gas businesses to create and implement HR strategies that deliver improved performance and sustained organic, geographic and acquisitive growth.
Achievements
Restructured the HR function following sign off on an agreed strategy to position the function as an enabler for business growth, continuous improvement and driver of a high performance customer service culture.
Provided strategic direction on major acquisitions in food retail, oil & gas and automotive sectors and managed their successful integration to the Group.
Led the development and execution of HR strategy for a major acquisition in the Oil & Gas Sector including a pre-acquisition SWAT analysis, defining labour law approach and integration plan, ensuring no disruption to operations, 30% improvement in performance within first 6 months and 100% retention of identified key personnel.
Following the acquisition of Honda, Kuwait, recruited 200 staff, both local and international, and commenced trading on time, doubling the previous owner’s sales.
Established a retail training academy, improved selection and fast tracked training and development of retail staff to meet ambitious growth targets. Improved sales per employee by 15% and customer satisfaction by 10%.
Implemented compensation structures and talent development processes, ensuring high potential/high performing talent was attracted, developed, rewarded and retained. Aligned reward with results and customer service.
Graduate Diploma – Ontological Coaching | Newfield Institute, Melbourne, Australia 2010
Bachelor of Management - Labour Relations Major | University of South Australia, Adelaide 1994