Naim El Rifai

Azadea Group is a major franchiser in the region with over 350 retail outlets of which 100 outlets in UAE ranging from F&B brands (like Paul, Butcher Shop & Grill), Fashion ( Zara, Massimo Dutti, Mango, Bershka etc..) to furniture & accessories like (Singways & Zara home).

Responsibilities:
The full supply chain related to these outlets including warehousing (9 facilities of around 5000 Sq. Mt.) & transportation (fleet of 9 trucks and 2 reefer vehicles).

Accomplishments:
- With the increase of outlets by 20%, I managed to lower the labor & transportation costs through rerouting and managing the labor charges by 15%
-Warehouse cleanup and rearranging along with necessary racking system to optimize space utilization where again through the progressive expansion plan there was no additional warehousing taken since I joined.
-Restructured the rates negotiation to yield in a saving 10-25% in certain cases on certain sectors

NLS is a locally formed logistics provider at Dubai Airport Free Zone with less than 10 staff & a warehouse facility of almost 200 Sq. Mt.

Responsibilities:
As a General Manager, I was responsible for the P&L of a freshly new operation

Accomplishments:
-Managed to cover our running cost after 6 months of operation and cover the initial investment within 21 months


-Became one of the major export agents handling mobile phones into Iraq with an average 30tonnes/ month.
-Secured Siemen/ Dubai Police Headquarter Project which lasted for a year and secured almost USD 100K income.
-Establisted an independent network of agent through registering with a freight alliance FNC and as well registering in most major freight sites (like azfreight)

Exel PLC is a multinational organization of above 5000 employees worldwide. UAE set up started with 10 people and grew to reach 100 employees

Responsibilities:
-Setting up and managing the air freight department newly established in Dubai as part as an Exel own office and arranged to migrate the business from an agency to own office
-Handled both import and export air freight operation of an average 1000shipments per month and was responsible for almost 25 staff. Custom clearance & brokerage was approximately 200 per month. Handled a lot of sea-air and special projects shipments. Was responsible for HP cross dock operation and distribution through out UAE.

Accomplishments:
- Maintained an efficiency rate in the distribution of HP of above 87%.
-Low percentage of staff turnover.
-Had a major impact in gaining business through involvement in most RFQs to ensure that contracts are gained.
- Exerted efforts to maintain the client base throughout the migration from an agency to our own operation

NK Express is a regional freight forwarding company with branches in Lebanon, Kuwait, and UAE & Bahrain with a total of almost 400 employees


Responsibilities:
To set up and manage freight forwarding company at Bahrain International Airport-Cargo Section. The office handled air, sea and road operation as well as custom brokerage.


Accomplishments:
-Successfully got on board & handled key accounts (like Bahrain Duty Free, Banz, Faces, Zara)
-Started with random LCL shipments and managed to operate 2 consolidated FCL service per week.
-Increased the business by over 300% throughout the time I was running the station
-Started subcontracted customs brokerage and increase the volume to establish custom brokerage & delivery section.

Started my freight career handling air freight import on a few trade routes from Europe and quickly developed my skills to handle a supervisory position within the department within 6 months.

Handled the pricing, auditing of inventory taken at the warehouse & coordinated activities between warehouse and showroom.
Responsibilities included:
•Pricing & monitoring of prices of FMCG.
•Supervising of warehouse and showroom activity, merchandise pickup, and supervising inventory of products.
•Responsible for orders of Cigars, in the sense of maintaining enough stock and monitoring consumption of these items.