Mohamad Wassim Akkari

• Increased the sales by 46% in 2022.

• Succeeded in controlling costs, reducing the operating expenses & improving EBITDA.

• Led the negotiation with the Ministry of Investment to shift the Potato Chips & Meat factories from UAE to KSA.

• Successfully added a new line to produce Tortilla chips in Al-Kharj Factory (340 kg/h).

• Successfully launched the Beverage category by adding the following brands:
- Heineken 0.0 beer
- RedBull & Rauch (Sub-distribution in TT)
- Vita Coco & other brands

• Lunched the HoReCa channel and boosted the export of the items produced in Al-Kharj Factory.

• Developed a new brand “MasterChef” for rice, tuna & other FMCG products.

• Enforced performance standards, policies and procedures related to operations.

• Led the preparation of forecast, budget & production control, operations, inventory and procurement.

• Develops and maintains relationships at senior levels with stakeholders, local authorities, key customers & associations.

• Ensure compliance with all health & safety standards/regulations as well as all applicable law and requirement of the SFDA.

• Successfully created a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and operations excellence throughout the company.

• Built the company organization structure to support the launching of the production & operations.

• Planned, established & executed the full setup for the Company (Legal, Marketing & Financial…)

• Championed the development of 2 new brands: “Roots” & “Nutria”

• Defined and implemented the long and short-term objectives, policy implementation and strategic direction.

• Set and administered budgets; initiate cost controls to ensure profitability.

• Control and continuously reduce the total expenses by connecting cash-flows problems; improving inventory turnover; and updating facilities.

• Planned & executed the start of the Agricultural Project (Production & Marketing)

• Conduct marketing study for the Saudi market and initiate the import and distribution of the FMCG products

• Set the business development strategy and deliver the annual marketing & sales plan

• Drafted and executed contracts with all retailers on the Saudi market

• Responsible for the procurement of all commodities (Raw coffee, cashew, pistachio, cardamom, nuts, etc.)

• Managed the sourcing, development and purchases of new products from International Markets

• Plan optimum stocking levels of all the commodities and timely replenishment in the warehouses and stores to ensure availability at all times for uninterrupted flow of business

• Maintain knowledge of all commodities, market conditions, and track price trends to proactively thwart price impacts

• Negotiate prices & payment terms with the suppliers as well as freight rates with shipping companies

• Introduced strong import strategy to improve assortment, sales and gross margin

• Efficiently managed all aspects of freight forwarder relationships including the negotiation of rates, terms, conditions and time-lines of shipments

• Select sources, build and develop relationships with Key suppliers

• Prepare yearly forecasts, approve and issues yearly contract in accordance with company policy and negotiated terms and conditions

• Manage vendor relationships and assist in building effective partnerships

• Plan & implement a strong promotional program on a weekly, monthly basis

• Monitor and maintain optimum stocks levels and ensure that minimum & maximum inventory levels are fixed

• Negotiated merchandising contracts with the key suppliers, in order to maintain solid and well implemented planogram

• Implemented a strong promotional plan, leading to a continuous growth of sales and profitability

• Involved in defining, developing and implementing Purchasing plans, policies and procedures

• Participated in negotiating all the contractual deals of the company

• Prepared the yearly forecast & targets by suppliers