Gary Carscadden

Recruited by Al Habtoor Motors to use previous experience with Unipart Group & bp to build a new business and brand for aftermarket parts for all makes and models, this project was a start-up from scratch operation where we had to build all elements of the business including; supply chain, recruitment, warehousing, ERP systems, marketing strategies, sales campaigns & distributor network development.
Reporting to the group board, taking total responsibility & accountability to design and develop this business as outlined in the five year business plan that was approved in early 2013.

The Global Auto Parts project was set a target to breakeven within three years and to achieve over fifty million AED of sales with five years.

Key responsibilities & Achievements;
• Full P&L responsibility for the business
• Development of route to market study and business plan.
• Design and implementation of parts warehouse & distribution facility, with new ERP system.
• Implementation of manufacturer supply contracts & product quality risk management policy.
• Development and implementation of sales & marketing plan with internal / external PR.
• Improving profitability through price, range, availability and supply chain efficiencies.
• Leading sales & marketing teams to grow sales volumes and improve margin.
• Develop and deliver local & overseas sales channel growth for the new brand in new territories.
• Identify and recruit sales, marketing, operations & product development staff.

Held three Sales Director positions in various parts of the group.
Leading teams of regional sales managers, improving their sales planning, relationship building and sales conversion skills to increase Unipart's share of the customer market spend.
Developing Key Account Management skills within the group.

Held four positions within this company, being promoted through the ranks.
In each role my primary task was to develop the customer's opinion of the Castrol brand and to build sales based on this high regard.

After joining the RN on their rapid promotion scheme as an apprentice marine engineering artificer spending 4 years at the marine engineering school in England, I rose through the ranks to become a chief petty officer (CPO) within 3 years of leaving the training college.
As a CPO my role was to manage an engineering sub-department in all aspects of maintenance and machinery availability to aid the ship to fight, move and float.