ساهر Mohammad Ashfaq

Managing team of 13 HR & Admin professionals to ensure smooth operations of various functions of HR & Administration such as Employee Relations, Compensation & Benefits, Performance Management, Succession Planning, Training & Development, Manpower Planning and Recruitment. Responsible for HR strategic planning and providing specialist consultation to senior management on strategic staffing plans, training initiatives, development schemes and remuneration packages. Working to create a vision and execute people strategy that brings competitive advantage.

Reporting to the Top Management, with direct line responsibility of 10 HR professionals and 7000 employees in scope located in 6 countries. Collectively accountable for strategic HR as well as managing full employee life cycle from Manpower Planning, Employee Relations, Budgets, Learning & Development, Performance Management, Labor Optimization, Succession Planning and Total rewards.
• Supports organizational development, manage the department and individual targets and provides leadership direction to achieve goals.
• Set realistic, achievable and measurable KPIs for team and support all department heads to write their department KPIs as per the company objectives and prepare HR business plan based on those KPIs.
• Act as a primary HR interface to internal stakeholders to ensure the people strategy and tactical HR activity is aligned to business objectives, delivering first-class HR initiatives and interventions aligned to corporate goals and organization vision.
• Develops and implement HR strategy for the group, along with preparing of HR Budget, Annual workforce plan and training calendar.
• Designs, develops and implements compensation and benefits structure, which is aligned to the business strategy and corporate objectives of the organization and ensures that pay anomalies and exceptions are minimized and are in accordance with the policy and procedures.
• Recommends changes to compensation structure; develop new, enhance or revise existing compensation and benefits programs based on current trend analysis and policy direction.
• Reviews and updates the HR policy manual, highlighting anomalies and mismatches to the compensation structure along with providing accurate interpretation of HR policy related to compensation and benefits.
• Issues guidelines relating to annual exercises of the organization including workforce budget, bonus, salary review and performance management.
• Maintain the Manpower planning by establishing a recruiting, assessment and interviewing program, conducting & analyzing exit interviews.
• Provides inputs to payroll regarding any payroll related issues as and when required
• Assists with the development of new HR systems, tools, records databases, filling and correspondence in partnership with MIS and external providers and ensure it is maintained in standards for Audit.
• Design and facilitate the performance management process, coach department heads on conducting performance reviews and coach employees on performance management system and process in support with the training team.
• Provides direction and support to the training team to ensure development of talent pipeline within the organization.
• Adheres to budgets in conjunction with department allocations, tracks expense and presents reports to the management when requested.
• Act as a primary point of contact for employee relationship issues and disciplinary procedures.
• Monitor measure and report on HR issues, opportunities and development plans and achievements within agreed formats and timescales.
• Create a high Performing work environment for the business through various employee engagement exercises and related actions.
• Maintains relationships with external vendors and HR consultants and assists with the implementation of new processes and practices.
• Sets performance goals in the beginning of the year and ensures that the goals are achieved during the year.

• Acting as the primary HR interface to internal stakeholders to ensure the people strategy and tactical HR activity is aligned to business objectives; delivering first-class HR initiatives and interventions aligned to corporate goals and organization vision.
• Maintain the Manpower planning by establishing a recruiting, assessment and interviewing program, conducting and analyzing exit interviews
• Manage the delivery of compensation and benefit programs to ensure business objectives are achieved.
• Evaluate procedures and technology solutions to improve human resources records / Employee files and data management and ensure it is maintained in standards for Audit.
• Design and facilitate the performance management process, coach managers on conducting performance reviews, and coach employees on the performance management system and process in support with the training team.
• Maintain employee guidelines by preparing, updating, and recommending human resource policies and procedures.
• Drive roll out of new HR related initiatives and ensure success of change management efforts.
• Act as primary point of contact for employee relationship issues and disciplinary procedures.
• Implement short- and long-range departmental goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures
• Monitor measure and report on HR issues, opportunities and development plans and achievements within agreed formats and timescales.
• Support in maintaining discipline and motivated work climate across the assigned group
• Create a high Performing work environment for the business through various employee engagement exercises and related actions.
• Manage and develop the HR team and provide succession plans for key positions within the team.
• Provide expert functional advice and targeted coaching to leadership team to create a true ‘talent culture.
• Oversee operations such as - Workforce planning -Recruitment / onboarding & off boarding -Performance reviews - identify skill gaps within respective Business Units.
• Monitor all HR tasks to ensure procedural compliance.
• Complete analysis on Compensation & Benefits to handle salary reviews, promotions etc. effectively.
• Responsible for the development of team members via cross trainings, direct inductions etc.
• Source, maintain & develop professional business relations with relevant vendors or service providers.
• Ensure time given to develop self and to enhance personal skills (Technical and behavior).

Achievements & Accomplishments

a) Recruitment & Selection

• Successfully recruited 700 plus staff of junior, mid career and senior management level positions within a timeframe of 3 years.
• Managed and organized all hiring processes from start-to-finish - recruiting candidates, assessing resumes, interviewing, hiring, and on boarding all new employees.
• Created and maintained strong relationships with community as well international employment agencies, resulting in status as preferred recruitment company.
• Strategically managed all social media accounts, promoting company and recruiting employees.
• Arranged and conducted conference calls, seminars, tours, and orientations for prospective and new employees
• Maintained organization staff by establishing a recruiting, testing, and interviewing program; counseling managers on candidate selection; conducting and analyzing exit interviews; recommending changes.
• Dealt with 3 different Cleaning Companies in Kuwait before finalizing the chosen one and successfully completed the whole hiring process of labors.
• Introduced strategic recruiting processes, which resulted in a reduction of time-to-fill from 90 to less than 30 days.
• Collaborated with CEO and COO to implement Hard Task software programs within the organization.
• Developed solid job specifications, competitive compensation packages, and assessed processes for candidate identification and tracking.


b) Compensation & Benefits

• Profound knowledge of human resources practices procedures and policies and Kuwait Labor Laws; Maintained management guidelines by preparing, updating, and recommending human resource policies and procedures.
• Prepared reports of staffing needs along with related budget estimates.
• Prepared budget for department operations.
• Conducted 360 Degree Performance Evaluation where not only managers evaluate their staff performance but employees too have to chance to rate the effectiveness of their managers.
• Maintained a pay plan by conducting periodic pay surveys; scheduling and conducting job evaluations; preparing pay budgets; monitoring and scheduling individual pay actions; recommending, planning, and implementing pay structure revisions.
• Ensured planning, monitoring, and appraisal of employee work results by training managers to coach and discipline employees; scheduling management conferences with employees; hearing and resolving employee grievances; counseling employees and supervisors.
• Maintained employee benefits programs and informs employees of benefits by studying and assessing benefit needs and trends; recommending benefit programs to management; directing the processing of benefit claims; obtaining and evaluating benefit contract bids; awarding benefit contracts; designing and conducting educational programs on benefit programs.
• Monitored annual leave plan and monthly payroll; gave approvals

c) Training & Development

• Prepared employees for assignments by establishing and conducting orientation and training programs.
• Evaluated training requirements for each division, consulting with department managers and external resources.
• Designed training programs and professional development courses to facilitate meeting organizational goals and individual professional needs.
• Estimated costs of training operations and subsequently managed them in accordance with the budget to ensure maximum return on investments.
• Determined potential of training program for future needs of organization.
• Collaborated with department heads in designing appraisal programs and training materials.
• Researched new and latest techniques for possible inclusion into existing training process.

Achievements & Accomplishments

e) Recruitment & Selection
• Screened CVs, shortlisted candidates and conducted interviews.
• Prepared letter of offer, commencement form and job contract to selected candidates.
• Developed and implemented the placement & induction activities for new joiners.

f) Training & Development
• Provided staff orientations.
• Identified training and development opportunities.
• Ensured that accurate job descriptions are in place.
• Organized staff training sessions, workshops and activities.
• Processed employee requests for outside training while complying with policies and procedures.
• Provided advice and assistance to supervisors and staff. This may include information on training needs and opportunities, job descriptions, performance reviews and personnel policies of the company.

g) Payroll &Benefits
• Calculated and maintain all leave entitlement data.
• Provided any necessary reports relating to the scope when needed.
• Provided advice and assistance when conducting staff performance evaluations.
• Monitored daily attendance. Investigate and understand causes for staff absences.
• Provided advice and assistance to staff and management on pay and benefits systems.
• Prepared accurate, complete, and timely payroll and file maintenance in a confidential manner.

h) Employee Relations
• Promoted workplace safety.
• Provided basic counseling to staff that has performance related obstacles.
• Developed and implement a human resources plan and personnel management policies and procedures.
• Collected, analyzed and resolved / refer all HR related issues of employees within the organizational capacity of the position.
• Verified process and maintain personnel related documentation & records e.g. staffing, recruitment, training, grievances and performance evaluations.

Achievements & Accomplishments

a) Human Resource Services
• Facilitated recruitment and staffing.
• Preparation of payroll and reporting.
• Administered employee files and records.
• Calculated employee settlements as per the laws.
• Interpreted and notified employees on employment legislation.
• Maintained systematic upkeep of original documents as its custodian.
• Coordinated between managers and employees for arranging training sessions.
• Monitored employee residency and work permits for proper renewal, cancellations, etc.
• Listened to grievances of employees & implementing appropriate disciplinary procedures.

b) Administration Services
• Reviewed, proofread, and edit documents prepared for the CEO’s or MD’s signature.
• Typed confidential documents on a word-processing system both in English & Arabic.
• Prepared agendas and made arrangements for committee, board, and other meetings.
• Maintained an adequate inventory of office supplies & operate standard office equipment.
• Maintained the general filing system and file all correspondence & responding to public inquiries.
• Performed a variety of administrative or executive support tasks that are highly confidential and sensitive.
• Prepared quotations purchase orders, delivery notes and documents for customs & clearance of shipments.
• Located and compiled information and format reports, graphs, tables, records and other sources of information.
• Read and screened incoming correspondence and reports; made preliminary assessment of the importance of materials and organize documents.
• Made travel arrangements; prepared itineraries; prepared, compiled and maintained travel vouchers and records; coordinated accommodation and visa arrangements.