Naim El Rifai, Logistics Manager

Naim El Rifai

Logistics Manager

Azadea Group LLC

Location
United Arab Emirates - Dubai
Education
Diploma, Dangerous Goods Acceptance & Handling
Experience
32 years, 7 Months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :32 years, 7 Months

Logistics Manager at Azadea Group LLC
  • United Arab Emirates
  • My current job since August 2007

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

General Manager at Network Logistic Services FZCO
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • April 2005 to June 2007

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)

Airfreight Operation Manager at Exel Dubai LLC
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • November 2002 to March 2005

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

Branch Manager at Enkay Express-Bahrain
  • Bahrain
  • September 1997 to March 2002

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.

Airfreight Supervisor at Enkay Express-Dubai
  • United Arab Emirates
  • December 1995 to May 1997

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.

Assistant Purchase Manager at Goodies Supermarket
  • Lebanon - Beirut
  • September 1990 to October 1995

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.

Education

Diploma, Dangerous Goods Acceptance & Handling
  • at Emirates Skycargo-Dubai
  • September 2003

Successful completion on handling dangerous cargo with competence.

Diploma, Dangerous Goods Acceptance & Handling
  • at Gulf Air- Bahrain
  • December 1999

Successful completion on handling dangerous cargo with competence.

Diploma, Cargo Acceptance & Handling
  • at Gulf Air-Bahrain
  • October 1999

Successful completion on handling general and dangerous cargo as well as live animals in general. Passing with Distinction (100% Grade).

Diploma, Introduction to Freight Forwarding
  • at National Committee of Freight Forwarders
  • March 1998

Introductory course on the freight forwarding with exposure on different aspects of the business. Successful completion with Grade “A”.

Bachelor's degree, Public Administration
  • at American University of Beirut
  • August 1990

General Average 75%. Courses focus on administration, organization, computer literacy, and statistics.

Specialties & Skills

Administration
Microsoft Excel
Logistics Management
Office Work
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Power Point

Languages

Arabic
Expert
English
Expert
French
Intermediate

Memberships

American University of Beirut
  • Alumni Member
  • August 1990
International College
  • Alumni
  • June 1987