Gaurav Singh Talwar

Since July 2020, I have started the Middle East & Africa business for EMEA AP, as an Associate Partner and am responsible for cross-border revenue flows through a large hyper-local business platform for market expansion & sales, cross-border Retail and Consulting, amongst business community in Europe & South East Asia.

In this role, I am responsible for crafting and implementing bespoke expansion and growth strategies, run business development, provide real-time intelligence and research output, ensure fiscal prudence, blend marketing and technology to accelerate sales.

I also credit myself with strong people management and operational skills to set up and manage teams across geographies.

Currently heading operations for three companies, namely;

Group Director - Business Development (Omrudra Group)
01/2020 - Present

Chief Operating Officer (Triya International LLC - Omrudra Group Co.)
03/2018 - 12/2019

Global Business Director (The Big Break Consultancy - Omrudra Group Co.)
02/2017 - 12/2019

Reporting to the Chairman

CURRENT JOB PROFILE & RESPONSIBILITIES HANDLED
 Develop in collaboration with the Board, an annual operating plan that supports the group’s long-term vision & strategy.
 Direct ownership of company Profit/Loss.
 Manage the Legal Counsel and his team by being directly involved in decision making on various legal issues like commercial contracts, dispute resolution, funding agreements, regulatory and government issues.
 Identify acquisition, merger, joint venture and strategic alliance opportunities and obtain internal approvals and funding and direct implementation activities.
 Heading the Steering Committee to direct the maintenance and updating of the Standard Operating Procedures and Policies.
 Working with the HR Department to recruit, train, develop, retain and manage the performance of the human resources necessary to deliver the strategic plan.
 Driving through the various Business Heads, the development of sales & marketing strategies and maintaining key customer relationships by developing and implementing strategies for expanding the company’s customer base.
 Helping to define and direct the marketing programs for demand creation, lead generation and interface with advertising sales.
 Monitoring the strategic planning including corporate positioning and competitive analysis, customer segment selection and penetration plans.
 Review activity reports and financial statements to determine progress and status in attaining objectives and revise objectives and plans in accordance with current trends and conditions.
 Represent the company at industry sessions, committee meetings and at formal functions.
 To develop a companywide culture where everyone embraces, upholds and accepts responsibility for a safe workplace, a healthy working life and a sustainable environment.

Regional Representative Office of Europa Möbel-Verbund GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, which is amongst the top European furniture groups in the world, having 585 factories and 1600 stores in Europe. TCI is responsible to set up operations for EMV for Middle East, Africa & South Asia. (www.emverbund.de).

Joined as:
Director - Sales & Marketing (Middle East) (April 2013)

Promoted as :
Vice President (Middle East, Africa & South Asia) (June 2014)

Brands Handled:

Contur (www.contur-einrichtungen.de), Natura (www.natura-einrichten.de), Global (www.global-moebel.de), Global Küchen (www.global-kuechen.de), EM (www.europa-moebel-collection.de),
Trend Store (www.trendstore-online.de)

Reporting to: Board of Directors

Key Achievements:

 Conducted due diligence to acquire existing operations of branch office of a German company in Dubai and later created the operational infrastructure and growth strategies that facilitated substantial business expansion prompting a 300% increase in ongoing business for the firm.

 Designed and coordinated the Business Process, establishing prioritization policies for organizational expenses based on Return On Investment (ROI) projections.

 Developed and instituted management processes and procedures thereby streamlining daily communications and operations, increasing efficiency and ensuring project deadline compliance.

 Facilitated triple-digit revenue growth from 2013 through 2017. Researched, analyzed and resolved major issues relative to product development, facilities and personnel.

 Instituted growth strategy comprising penetration of existing client accounts through cross selling of various brands, favorably affecting bottom line and gross margins.

 Structured and negotiated strategic alliances and acquisitions to further strengthen financial position and customer satisfaction through broadening of services and resources.

 Successfully merged Sales and Operations groups to achieve better coordination and streamline operations.

 Transformed a start up from scratch to an established revenue generator in just under 24 months.

A subsidiary of the ALNO AG Group head quartered in Germany, is the Worlds’ largest manufacturer for domestic kitchen Cabinets. The group has 4 brands in its’ international brand portfolio, namely, ALNO, WELLMANN, IMPULS & PINO for entire Middle East, Africa & Indian Sub-continent. (www.alno.de)

Reporting to: CEO

Key Achievements:

 Built and nurtured C-Level relationships through many varied engagements, successfully implementing solutions, quickly resolving issues, and closing new business opportunities.

 Managed top-performing global teams including 278 staff with 7 direct reports; optimized organizational operations, staffing and succession plans, hired resources, conducted performance reviews, and ensured compliance with company policies.

 Led and monitored complex projects and worked cross-functionally with various internal groups to determine project scope, requirements, and resources; managed RFP’s, and determined best practices while ensuring project activities aligned with business objectives.

 Reengineered kitchen cabinet design that ultimately captured a large, multimillion-dirham’s business opportunity with Emaar & Nakheel —awarded contract for quick response and resolution of a critical design flaw.

 Evolved selling strategy across a new portfolio of sales opportunities by introducing solutions for online selling / eCommerce; diversified customer base by successfully leveraging sales for various channels for new contracts.

 Established Global partnerships and new sales channels with International opportunities in Africa & S.E. Asia.

 Conceptualized and set up an upmarket exclusive 20, 000 sq. ft flagship showroom in Dubai, UAE.

Brands Handled: FAGOR, BRANDT & DE DIETRICH
Reporting to: CEO
Accountabilities: Smooth and profitable management of Regional business.

 Achieve the agreed Sales Plan objectives and targets.
 Develop appropriate sales and action plans, within a given framework, including agreement with the Distribution channels, for the assigned territories, in line with planned revenue targets and within agreed timescales.
 Implementation of the Regional Sales & Marketing concept and strategy.
 Manage local project opportunities by identifying and cultivating the decision makers and implementing and co-coordinating the strategy to win the business.
 Lead and participate in tender vets and negotiations to win project business.
 Recommend price strategies for the region based on competitor intelligence and customer expectations by country within the region.
 Identify and implement appropriate ‘Channel to Market’ strategies by country.
 Cultivate and maintain relationships with the key decision makers, OEMs and maintaining a network of contacts with appropriate government officials and regulatory bodies.
 Identify appropriate exhibitions and PR opportunities in the region and ensure implementation of agreed actions.
 Implement the Sales, Inventory and Order Planning (SI&OP) and obtain the co-operation of key accounts and distributors in this forecasting process.
 Report weekly and monthly on the progress of the ME Region Sales Plan and other relevant data, as required.
 Ensure compliance with company policy, business unit policy, safety and quality programme requirements. Execute to achieve key operating goals for safety, quality, on time delivery and lead time.
 Ensure technical knowledge and understanding of available products, systems and services is maintained at the highest level.
Highlights
 Individually instrumental in developing brand awareness & presence all across Middle East.

Brands Handled: MAYTAG, HOOVER, ARDO & VAX
Reporting to: Divisional Head
Reportees: Direct: 8 Sales Executives & Indirect: 25 Merchandisers

Accountabilities: To position the brand to be in line with corporate objectives
 Distinguished efforts towards managing brand management activities for the Major Domestic Appliances business of the company for entire Gulf.
 Resourcefully handle sourcing of the products to final distribution through retail channel and projects.
 Skilfully manage a network of dealers and distributors.
 Responsible for building the brand, positioning the brand in the market to be in line with corporate objectives and help support the achievement of the sales targets.
 Develop the marketing plans for the retail operation and all of the in store trade marketing activities.
 Conducting consumer analysis and understanding customer insights and incorporate these into workable plans resulting in improving ROI and sales revenues.
 Mapping out of sales targets, coordinate all buying and merchandising as well as growing the brand through new store openings
 To select the stock levels for each of the stores, understand the different consumer profiles and ensure the correct product mix has been selected
 To create regional product strategies through market research, surveys and analysis and to acquire in depth knowledge and understanding of competitor products.
 Devise media strategy for the entire portfolio of brands by directing the advertising agency.
 Accountable for allocations of brand wise advertising budgets and spends.

Highlights
 Instrumental in revenue growth from AED 18M to AED 50M.
 Individually instrumental in formulating JV’s with Antonio Merloni Group (Italy) & A&M Group (UK) for ARDO & Vax brands.

An enterprise of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, is a specialist home appliances company representing world’s leading brands and having 6 stores in the UAE (www.betterlifeuae.com)

Joined as: Sales Executive (April’ 2003)
Promoted as: Project Specialist (October 2003)
Promoted as: Asst Brand Manager (October 2004)

Brands Handled: SIEMENS, FISHER & PAYKEL, ELECTROLUX, ZANUSSI & TERIM
Reporting to: Divisional Manager
Direct Reportees: 2 Sales Executives

Accountabilities: For Sales through Dealers, Retail & Re-export channels.
 Product range planning & OEM sourcing
 Inventory Planning & Control
 Laisoning with Principals
 Interacting with Project Managers, Architects & Architectural Consultants to gain entry into new
projects.
 Working closely with Key players like Jacky’s, Plug Ins, etc. to have our products on their shop floor.


Highlights:
• Instrumental in procuring distribution for Zanussi & Fisher & Paykel brands.
• Have been awarded by the company as “Most Profitable Employee for 2004”
• Team member for receiving following two major marketing honors from Gulf Marketing Review and
BBC world for extraordinary marketing achievement in 2004:
“BRAND OF THE YEAR” and “MOST MARKETING EFFECTIVE COMPANY OF THE YEAR”

New Projects:
Was individually responsible for managing company’s new venture into the kitchen business with the following brands:
ALNO (Germany); Acajou Designs (New Zealand); Czechinon (Italy); Arbital (Italy)