Muhammad Azhar

Chief Operating Officer Jazeera Paints - KSA
July 2023 - Present

Key Contributions & Achievements:
- Directed overall operational strategy and execution, driving the company's growth and profitability.
- Oversaw all aspects of operations, including manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, and quality control.
- Developed and implemented performance metrics, KPIs, and operational targets to ensure efficient and effective operations.
- Led cross-functional teams in developing and executing strategic plans to align business objectives with operational activities.
- Streamlined processes and optimized resource allocation to increase productivity and reduce costs. 15Mn SAR Cost reduction delivered in 2022.
- Fostered a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement across the operations team.
- Identified market trends and competitive opportunities, providing insights to facilitate strategic decision-making and drive business expansion.
- Built and maintained strong relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, suppliers, and regulatory bodies.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations and quality standards.
- Implemented robust risk management strategies to mitigate operational, financial, and legal risks.
- Spearheaded digital transformation initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, customer experience, and innovation.
- Represented the company at industry events, conferences, and networking forums.

Operations Director Jazeera Paints - KSA
2021 - July-2023
Key Contributions & Achievements:
▪ Jazeera Paint is one the leading Paint Manufacturer in KSA & Africa. where I managed complete operations activities. The Product range includes categories e.g., Texture Paints Interior & Exterior, Protective Paints, Decorative Paints, Corrosion protections etc. Management of 4 different Production Plant’s with 450 company employees and 100 contract labor.
▪ I have done at huge level process optimization that helped us to reduce 50 full time employees and 30th increase in productivity. Huge reduction in Overtime and increase in product availability. It helped us to reduce lead time.
▪ Reduction is Manufacturing cost is around 10Mn SAR in 2021.
▪ Implemented Manufacturing Excellent Program from start.
▪ Launched KPIs 1st time in the company History
▪ Trains, mentors, and guides employees by conducting training sessions and workshops to improve their performance and enhance productivity.
▪ Implemented Performance Management System
▪ Develops and implements Operations Strategies according to company goals and objectives aimed towards accelerated growth.
▪ Implemented SAP ERP System in 6 months period and moved to SAP from Excel Based systems.
▪ Management 2 new automation projects cost of 40MSAR each.
▪ Having high on Manufacturing excellence and Digitalization.
▪ Reduced Maintenance cost 30% by implementing Preventive & Autonomous Maintenance Pillars

Operations Manager Obeikan Folding Carton & Commercial Printing
2019 - 2021
Key Contributions & Achievements:
▪ Restructured Organization based on best fit scenarios
▪ Responsible to deliver bottom line results specially Manufacturing Cost.
▪ Quality & Safety systems implementation and sustainability, delivered Zero TIR and 50% reduction in customer complaints
▪ Delivered 10% saving on M&R (Maintenance & Repair cost) for both business units by implemented robust Preventive Maintenance systems.
▪ Responsible for Budget deliveries for all the Departments under my leadership
▪ Accountable to deliver all the site KPIs i.e., Productivity, OTIF, Conversion Cost, CCR and TIR.
▪ 35% increase in Productivity during my tenure with Obeikan Commercial Printing and Folding carton
▪ Leading Digitalization projects/Smart Factory Implementation. Linked one full department ERP system with MES system of machines to start integration of cost, production, planning & delivery scheduling.





Manufacturing Excellence Manager Obeikan Printing KSA

▪ Obeikan Group purchased Manufacturing Excellence program from EFESO Consulting Company and started implementation from 2016 & Qualified Phase4.

Key Contributions & Achievements: 2018 - 2019
▪ I led and implemented full program from phase 1 till phase 4 that is world class manufacturing.
▪ Implemented 7 Pillars (Autonomous Management, Preventive Maintenance, Focuses Improvement, Safety, Progressive Quality, Plan to Serve and Education & Training and 5 Elements.
▪ Led Cost & Benefit Program with the help of VSM and Factory Model tools.
▪ TDC Reduction Plans and achievement of targets
▪ Developed Skill Matrixes for team and training plan to increase the skill set based on business needs


Production Manager Obeikan Commercial Printing KSA

▪ Obeikan commercial is the largest printing press in Middle east that can convert 156 MT paper into books, broachers etc. Main customers are Ministry of Education KSA, Ministry of Education Bahrain, Yamen and many other commercial customers like SACO, Carrefour middle east.

Key Contributions & Achievements: 2015 - 2018
▪ Delivered highest productivity by optimizing process and implementing Manufacturing excellence program.
▪ Responsible for all Printing machines (WEB & offset) and post printing machines, finishing production lines, expansion Projects, Initiatives Management with right target of cost and quality, highly flexible manufacturing system digitally connected to advance systems, robust high-speed lines.
▪ Increased OEE from 52% to 83% in 4 years.
▪ Implementation of 5S in Production and achieved +90% score.
Developed Skill Matrixes for team and training plan to increase the skill set based on business needs.

PROCTER & GAMBLE PAKISTAN \[2008 - to - date\]
Fabric & Home Care Plant - Port Qasim Plant Karachi
Summary

-Managed Making Operations team in day to day operations for production of Quality Product at target Reliability (Monthly Deliverables of PPM, VMC and PR)

-Leading a team of 18 People. (Shift Leaders, SAP KU, AM/PM Leader, Control Room Operator, Shift Mechanics, Shift Electricians, Floor Operators)

-As Initiative Leader achieved Vertical Startup (VSU) of a new Initiative

-Lead Productivity Improvement projects to provide 4 Head Count (20%) reduction

-As Process Control Owner, developed Active Process Control Strategy to provide cost saving of $26, 000/Month.

-As Focused Improvement (FI) Co-Pillar Leader developed overall site capability in problem solving tools i.e. 6W2H, Why-Why, Fishbone, UPS etc.

-As Centerline DMS Owner developed centerlines systems and Q-Factors for site

Process Leader/Materials Utilization Leader/SAP Key User/Initiative Leader
Current Responsibilities

a. Process Leader
Ensure 100% committed Product Quality via leading given below system.

i. Leading PPM Adherence
Ensure and deliver PPM (Parts per Million) target of Site. Close in touch with QC Team and know about all variable test results and take action in case of variations. Ensure system is working efficiently.

ii. Leading Center line Adherence
Ensure plant is running on approved centre line and Centre line Data is going to be tracked according to SOP. Check Quality Window data and see variations and do Gap Analysis.

iii. Validation System Owner
Make validation Plan for new installed Equipments, Lead Operational Qualification, and Process Qualification and maintain all record related Equipment validation.

iv. FI (Focused Improvement) Pillar Owner
Lead and perform FI Model on critical problems and find out process failure reasons.
b. Material Utilization Management/Inventory Analyst: Do reconciliation weekly and track Materials Utilization variance %age and compliance by using SAP PE. Co-ordinate with Supply Chain (Planning) for material ordering according to production plan. In case of variations on results do Gap Analysis and make Action Plan

c. Initiative Management: Lead & Execute new coming initiatives on plant i.e. new formulation, new Projects and new Brands. Perform Experimental Order and Make closeout reports. From designing end to proper execution & ensure 100% safe operation. Multiples projects have been successfully delivered.


d. SAP Key user/RTCIS Key User: Running SAP & RTCIS Systems on Site.

e. Capability Building for Juniors: Create trainings & training plan & ensure 100% adherence against scheduled training.

f. Lead break down studies: Lead & engage whole Operation Team for 6w-2H, Usage gap assessment, why-why & other tools to find out proper root causes & ensure this break down shouldn't occur again.

g. Process Control Strategy Owner: Being a PCS owner I am running all PCS Sigma at Site i.e. Raw Materials, Addition System, Process Condition, Reblend Consumption, and Analytical Methods. As well as in process and out process measures.

h. Commissioning Experience: • Participate in F&HC Plant installation / Commissioning at Port Qasim Karachi Pakistan, & play a key role in Process & Operation during Installation & commissioning.
• Performed yellow lining test, ensure I/O Checks.
• Also participate in mini capacity increase project startup at Cairo F&HC Plant Egypt.

➢ P&G Regional Award (100 RECO Shares) 2013
➢ P&G Dream Team Leader Award (GOLD Category) 2013
➢ P&G Platinum Award 2012
➢ P&G Pearl Award 2011

Shift Manager Production from Sep 2010 to Jul 2012
Fabric & Home Care Plant - Port Qasim Plant Karachi

Job Responsibilities.
➢ Team Management, Production Planning, Transport Planning for Shifts.
➢ Ensure effective tool management program in the department.
➢ Ensure 100% adherence with QA/Safety DMSs, Conduct / Participate Quality/safety meeting. Ensure Zero Quality & Safety Incident in the shift.
➢ Ensure strict adherence to operational SOPs
➢ Participate in the daily Reliability meetings and assist in developing action plans. Give inputs and execute on the action steps.
➢ Manage the team (Operators and Casual workers) during operation.
➢ Lead the hand over / take over meeting between shifts and resolve the issues related to shift. Implementation of the preventive maintenance program by executing all the PM program terms at the specified time.
➢ Ensure 100% record completion of CIL, defect handling, production report, Quality Windows data, reliability report and breakdown report for shift.

SCADA/DCS Operator from Sep 2009 to Sep 2010
Responsibilities: ➢ Make regular routine checks of all equipment and units to ensure that they are functioning correctly in accordance with standard operating procedures.
➢ Report all equipment and instrument defects and leaks immediately to Supervisor and take any possible corrective action.
➢ Start, check or stop pumps locally according to instructions or in case of emergency.
➢ During the start-up of equipment (such as compressors, Air Lift, Gravity separator or pumps) remotely, assist in checking and following the start up sequence.
➢ Adjust the set points of local controllers by informing to Process Leader
➢ Assist in isolating, draining and ventilating equipment as necessary for handing over the plants for maintenance work for inspection, and check the equipment for its correct operation when the maintenance job is completed.
➢ Monitor the maintenance activities in the plant and ensure that all safety precautions prescribed in the work permit are complied with.
➢ Under the guidance of Supervisor
➢ Record all the centre lines after every 1 hour Quality window such as Lines pressure, flow, temperature and pressure, and record unusual occurrences after reporting them to Supervisor.
➢ Check levels on various pumps, vessels and tanks, and drain equipment as required.

Technology Transfer & Trainings from Procter & Gamble Egypt. Aug 2008 to Sep 2009
➢ Detergent Technology Transfer from Egypt to Pakistan (P&G Ariel Plant)
➢ Participated in Commissioning of Detergent Making Plant P&G Pakistan
➢ I have completed TT&T (Technology Transfer & Trainings) in Egypt.

Professional Trainings:-

• Quality Trainings
❖ Basic Quality Tools
❖ Quality Incident Root Cause Investigation
❖ Process Validation
❖ Product Quality Measures
❖ Total Quality Fundamentals
❖ Quality Related Loss Analysis
❖ QA 3 Days Qualified
• IWS Trainings
❖ RTT
❖ AM Step 4
❖ FI/UPS
❖ CIL
❖ DDS

• Safety Trainings
❖ Basic HS&E
❖ Basic Electrical Safety
❖ BOS & OFS DMS
❖ Risk Prediction DMS
❖ JSA & SOP DMS
❖ HSE Inspection, Testing & Maintenance
❖ Work Permit and System
❖ Work & Safety Training
❖ Fall Prevention and Protection
❖ Confined Space Entry
❖ Ergonomics
❖ Chemical Management
❖ Basic Enzymes Hygiene
❖ Fire Fighting
❖ First Aider


Recognition Awards