Tariq Mehmood

• Led enterprise-level transformation initiatives, driving operational excellence and strategic alignment across e-commerce, supply chain, logistics, and merchandising.
• Oversaw cross-functional programs, ensuring seamless integration from concept to delivery while enhancing stakeholder engagement and satisfaction.
• Achieved significant cost efficiencies and process modernization through innovative strategies and governance frameworks.
• Spearheaded the development and launch of new business verticals, executing comprehensive project plans that resulted in increased market presence and revenue growth.
• Fostered a culture of compliance and delivery excellence, ensuring that all initiatives met regulatory standards and organizational goals.

• Led the successful launch of nationwide retail stores, focusing on operational excellence to elevate customer experiences and boost revenue.
• Drove business transformation initiatives, transitioning from startup to scale-up, resulting in increased market presence and operational efficiency.
• Developed and implemented comprehensive retail growth strategies that aligned with shareholder goals, contributing to sustainable profitability.
• Managed multi-site operations during store openings, enhancing customer satisfaction and achieving significant revenue growth across locations.
• Leveraged expertise in e-commerce, supply chain, logistics, and merchandising to optimize retail operations and drive strategic development.

FGT LLC, Dubai, UAE | June 2014 - Feb 2017

Led the retail operations for travel retail, malls, and e-commerce across GCC markets, with direct oversight of Dubai Duty Free business. Owned full-cycle operations covering sales, procurement, supply chain, warehousing, logistics, distribution, and P&L. Built retail growth strategies, developed premium brand partnerships, and drove operational transformation in a highly competitive duty-free and mall retail environment.

Key Responsibilities -

 Travel Retail & E-Commerce Leadership: Led operations, sales & procurement for duty-free & mall-based e-commerce channels, aligning strategies to GCC retail dynamics.
 Supply Chain & Logistics: Managed end-to-end supply chain, warehousing and distribution to optimize efficiency and ensure seamless delivery.
 Sales & Pricing Strategy: Designed and executed pricing and promotional models, achieving growth across B2B and B2C segments.
 Brand & Vendor Partnerships: Negotiated and cultivated collaborations with international brands, expanding product mix and enhancing visibility.
 P&L Ownership: Oversaw budgets, cost controls and performance reviews, ensuring profitability and sustainable growth.
 Team Leadership: Directed multi-site teams within mall management structures, instilling operational discipline and collaborative culture.
 Market & Consumer Insights: Translated data on trends, consumer behavior and competitor activity into actionable expansion strategies.
 Compliance & Risk Management: Enforced operational policies, safety protocols and emergency response plans for secure, compliant retail environments.
 Retail Activations: Conceptualized and delivered promotional events and in-store experiences to maximize engagement and sales impact.
Key Achievements:
 Increased sales revenue across travel retail and malls by double-digit growth through optimized pricing and promotional strategies.
 Negotiated and onboarded premium global brands (Ferrari, Samsonite, Aigner, Paris Hilton, Daniel Klein, Witor’s), securing exclusive travel retail presence.
 Reduced operational overheads by 15% through supply chain restructuring and vendor consolidation.
 Designed and launched retail events and promotions that boosted brand visibility and delivered record footfall in Dubai Duty Free.
 Successfully established e-commerce operations as a parallel retail channel, diversifying revenue streams.
Key Projects:
 Dubai Duty Free Brand Expansion: Rolled out Ferrari leather goods, Samsonite luggage, Witor’s confectionery, and Aigner accessories across DDF outlets.
 E-Commerce Platform Launch: Developed and scaled mall-based e-commerce operations, improving category penetration and sales.
 Supply Chain Transformation: Implemented centralized logistics and distribution system to cut delays and improve in-store stock availability.
 Vendor Partnership Program: Built long-term relationships with international suppliers, introducing cross-border collaborations for travel retail growth.
 Promotional Campaigns: Executed multi-brand promotional drives during peak travel seasons, achieving significant sales uplift.

METRO Cash & Carry - Pakistan | Sep 2007 - May 2014

Led the market entry, operational scaling and transformative merger integration for METRO Cash & Carry in Pakistan, part of a global network of 661 stores. Managed operations, visual merchandising and stakeholder collaboration across multiple locations, delivering measurable improvements in sales, efficiency and customer engagement while navigating complex, high-stakes projects. Part of the core team that scaled METRO across Pakistan, driving store operations, merchandising, and commercial strategy in a fragmented retail landscape. Led SOP design, store readiness, category planning, and supplier negotiations, aligning global standards with local market realities. Oversaw visual merchandising and Cx frameworks, ensuring profitable growth and operational efficiency. Played a key role in the Metro-Makro merger, unifying operations into a high-performing retail platform

Key Responsibilities -

Market Entry & Country Launch
 Part of the core team that supported METRO’s entry and nationwide expansion in Pakistan.
 Assisted in store operations, SOP design, category planning, and supplier engagement.
 Contributed to visual merchandising, customer experience frameworks, and compliance alignment with global retail standards.
 Established operations across Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad and Karachi, creating a scalable foundation.
Retail Operations & Expansion
 Managed daily operations, SOP adherence and store readiness across multiple locations.
 Optimized sales, average transaction value (ATV) and conversion rates through focused target management.
 Implemented demand forecasting, stock rotation and loss-prevention strategies; reduced stockouts by 15% and shrinkage by 10%.
 Designed operational standards for shelf management, promotions, ordering cycles, GR processes and audits.
Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management
 Recruited, trained and managed 3000+ staff across stores and franchises.
 Conducted performance reviews, fostered collaboration and aligned local teams with regional strategies.
Customer Experience & KPI Monitoring
 Delivered superior in-store experience through operational alignment, promotions and visual compliance.
 Tracked sales, customer feedback and operational KPIs to optimize staffing, scheduling and resource allocation.
 Represented METRO at industry events, gathering insights on trends, customer behavior and competition.
Achievements
 Helped scale operations from market entry to a multi-city presence, ensuring consistent customer experience.
 Contributed to efficiency improvements in store operations and merchandising that enhanced sales performance.
 Strengthened supplier relations and localized strategies to adapt to Pakistan’s fragmented retail market.

Joined as a Management Trainee and progressed to leading distribution operations for a global pharmaceutical leader. Oversaw end-to-end supply chain functions from forecasting & inventory control to warehousing, logistics and last-mile delivery, ensuring optimal cost efficiency, compliance & service levels across Pakistan’s distribution network.

Key Responsibilities -

 Supply Chain Strategy & Execution - Developed demand forecasts, annual operating plans and distribution strategies to align with business growth targets.
 Warehousing & Logistics - Managed centralized distribution centers, optimized route planning and oversaw a national fleet for on-time delivery.
 Inventory Management & Cost Control - Reduced carrying costs through accurate stock level forecasting, efficient replenishment cycles and improved turnover ratios.
 Compliance & Risk Management - Ensured adherence to HSE policies, HACCP principles, licensing regulations and legal requirements.
 Vendor & Contract Management - Negotiated terms with suppliers and service providers, enhancing cost-efficiency and reliability.
 Team Leadership - Built and led cross-functional teams, providing training, performance management and operational alignment.
 Market Expansion Support - Conducted market analysis and city walk studies to inform expansion strategies and distribution readiness.