Ergin GAYTANLI

• Consumer insight studies, understanding consumer preferences and trends and use this information to develop inno-pipeline
• Identifying portfolio gaps and defining strategic inno pipeline for the next 3 years for Al Foah and execution of the strategic plan.
• 0% waste from dates concept is initiated
• Identifying gaps in PRPs, GMPs, and Quality Management Systems, and developing corrective actions and
implementation of actions
• Close collaboration with universities for innovative research projects
• Value engineering projects identification and execution (8 million AED savings identified and put into pipeline
for execution)
• Setting up R&D and QA organization, defining KPIs and objectives.

Leading Research and Development activities for 5 group companies through a central reseach and development laboratory in UAE.
Companies covered are:
Nadiya Dates
Al Mealim Arabic Sweets
Tema Halawa and Confectionary
Cortina Dairy and Juice
Wadi Fatima Poultry Farm

• Ensure the alignment of manufacturing operations with the company vision, purpose and priorities for each of the Group companies.
• Define and monitor the implementation of performance and operating standards for the each of the manufacturing sites and ensure that they are compliant with all appropriate local legislation and preferred/required regulations and standards (HACCP, GMP, etc.).
• Define appropriate Key Performance Indicators and monthly manufacturing reports for each operation and prepare monthly reports for the CEO to review and analyze performance against these KPIs.
• Determine manufacturing best practice tools and processes and communicate these to all relevant staff in the Group’s manufacturing operations. Assist the businesses in implementing these best practice standards and monitor their compliance with these standards on a regular basis.
• Review existing manufacturing operations on a regular basis and identify opportunities for continuous improvement focusing on quality, productivity, output and cost efficiencies. Propose appropriate adjustments to processes and resources to minimize costs. Identify and adapt technological advances to meet the group’s competitive objectives within the marketplace.
• Track and supervise competencies of production, NPD & QA managers/staff in each of the Group companies and provide technical guidance, leadership and support.
• Manage the new product development process from the concept phase to the post-launch analysis phase, including recipe development and up scaling product development to industrial scale implementation.

• Increased sales volume 50% in the first year (2009) in spite of economic crisis and 30% in the second year 2010.
• Coordinated all marketing and sales activities in UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.
• Did a complete market research and analysis for the target customers.
• Designated new Distributors and managed & supported existing Distributors.
• Prepared and revised pricing of products to maintain target %MC level according to company objectives while keeping the products still competitive with competitors.
• Introduced new products according to market needs and discontinued non-moving products.
• Established systematic service schedule and reporting system.
• Introduced innovative systems and finalized 3 new application installations which were the first of their kind in Gulf Region.
• Participated in exhibitions and did presentation in DDTE seminar

• Coordinated and improved the operational activities including Production, Quality Assurance, Warehousing, Purchasing and R&D.
• Being reported directly by Production Manager, QA Manager and Warehouse Supervisor, and indirectly managed 40 labors.
• Developed new products according to the market trends, 4 new variety introduced to the market in the last 1.5 year
• Completed modifications in current plant and initiated planning phase of a sister company built up.
• Increased productivity 25% in 2007.
• Prepared operations plans of all activities and implemented efficiency follow up of lines.
• 100% traceability of production maintained.
• 10% saving from raw material costs maintained by implementing global contracts.