Executive Director
LebMASH
Total years of experience :20 years, 10 Months
*Leadership
- Participate with the Board of Directors in developing a vision and strategic plan to guide the organization
- Identify, assess, and inform the Board of Directors through President of internal and external issues that affect the organization
- Act as a professional advisor to the Board of Directors on all aspects of the organization's activities
- Foster effective teamwork between the Board via President and the Executive Director and between the Executive Director and staff
- In addition to the Board, act as a spokesperson for the organization
- Conduct official correspondence on behalf of the Board as appropriate and jointly with the Board when appropriate
- Represent the organization at community activities to enhance the organization's community profile
- Delegate tasks as needed and based on skills
*Operational planning and management
*Program planning and management
- Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization's programs and services
- Ensure that the programs and services offered by the organization contribute to the organization's mission and reflect the priorities of the organization
- Monitor, with administrative manager, the day-to-day delivery of the programs and services of the organization to maintain or improve quality
- Oversee the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of special projects.
*Human resources planning and management
- Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery and propose it to the board.
- Oversee the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures and practices including the development of job description for all staff
- Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations
- Recruit, interview and select staff that have the right technical and personal abilities to help further the organization's mission
- Ensure that all staff receives an orientation to the organization and that appropriate training is provided
- Implement a performance management process for all staff which includes monitoring the performance of staff on an on-going basis and conducting an annual performance review and action plan
- Coach and mentor staff as appropriate to improve performance
- Determine bonus salary raises based on performance evaluation
*Financial planning and management
- Prepare a comprehensive budget with accountant
- Work with the Board to secure adequate funding for the operation of the organization
- Oversee the development of fundraising plans and the write up of funding proposals to increase the funds of the organization
- Approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board
- Ensure that sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures are followed
- Administer the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization
- Provide the Board with comprehensive, regular reports on the revenues and expenditure of the organization
- Ensure that the organization complies with all legislation covering taxation and withholding payments
*Community relations/advocacy
*Risk management
“Adopting A Roadmap Consultancy Approach; Nurturing Success From Roots To Full Implementation.”
- Offering CEOs and Managers Coaching to enhance their management skills and bridging the Gap between their expectations, vision and aspirations and the performance of the team.
- As well as, tailoring trainings to fit the needs the client’s operations.
- Assisting in Setting strategies, resource optimizing and undertaking full STARTUP management.
Major Projects:
-Training & Coaching to more than 25 Start Ups & SMEs in through a Collaboration with Saber MENA / and Intl NGOs OXFAM & Mercy Corps
-Project Conception, Startup and Launch of MIMZ Cafe, The Pearl Qatar
-Consultancy for a Chocolate Factory Startup in Qatar
- Project Conception, Startup and Launch of a chocolate factory in Lebanon.
Franchise Dept Head (in charge)
Lead restructuring of the institution to match its growth plans: optimizing policies and procedures, branding,
operational control, financial analysis.
Act as HR in charge: build HR Dept, re assign positions & tasks, set policies. prepare employee manual, create
job descriptions.
Contribute to the strategic planning of the institution.
Create a sales strategy, build & train the sales team, set up sales & team kpis, analyze profitability and P&L,
create a sales manual.
Optimize the ERP system and re-invent the system based on actual departmental needs and our partners’
needs
Manage the International franchising project.
Project Leader (compliance & requirements) for the Official Guinness Attempt on May 25th 2017 in Forum de
Beirut; where we succeeded in setting this year, officially, a new Guinness record for: Largest One Day Soroban
Competition (2467 students competing), in the presence of a Guinness Judge and under the Patronage of his
Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Marwan Hamadeh and with the participation of a VIP list comprising
High Ranked Officials, and Japanese embassy delegates.
- Managed directly the compliance file
- Setup the projects budget and ensured working within it.
- Handled all main communications / internal and external with media and official institutions.
- Personally handled the sponsorship file from creating the proposal until ensuring we had max sponsors
participation.
Project and campaign Director for Dr. Hamza's nomination for the BLA awards(brilliant lebanese Awards) by
blc bank for 2016; which sheds lights on successful SMEs
Project Director for IG2 a one of a kind concept center.
- Part of the concept creation team.
Souad Al Challah
Passionate and triggered by challenge with 17+ years of experience.
Scope of work: brand & retail management, startups, project management / launch, procurement,
bidding and supply chain.
Creative on all levels from concepts creation to solutions application.
Employing best business practices that improve sales, reduce operating costs whilst increasing
performance, all to tight time scales and within budget.
Brand & Operations)
Reviewed and Evaluated Stock levels and offered appropriate solutions for inventory management.
Set up guidelines for stock takes.
Process Mapping for the retail operations.
Set up KPIs for the retail operations.
Created 2 new posts in line with new process.
Started Up a new business, in 2013, for Cakes, Bakes and gourmet
chocolate. What started as a home based business has become a medium workshop employing 18 skilled
workers in a space of 400 sqm, which was complemented by a Luxurious Café opened fall 2015 in the Posh area
of The Pearl / Qatar, Medina Central Parcel 18.
▪ Conducted feasibility study for the Café Opening and successfully secured the equivalent start up loan from
QDB.
▪ Handled start up and pre-opening activities for the Bakery as well as the cafe, which included but is not
limited to: HR /recruitment of FOH and BOH staff, Café Conceptualization, Café Design and Layout, Rental
Contract Negotiation with UDC, Supplier Selection and Kitchen Installation, etc..Supply Chain, Branding,
business development, Managing social media etc..
2012 - 2013 Abu Issa Holding - (Gourmet Food Retail ) GCC
Brand & Division Manager (Godiva, Arabesque, Gold Gourmet)
Holding this position was challenging by all retail standards as I was in charge of 14 locations in the Gulf region.
The job entitled that I consider these stores as my own and to run them / do their forecasts, P&Ls / Budgets,
Staffing and of course manage their brand portfolio and set up strategic planning to achieve targets.
Main role: To plan, monitor and supervise Buying, sales, operations, marketing and HR, for the assigned
company/ brand/division, in accordance with the company Policy, ensuring maximum productivity;
development of personnel under my charge and an optimal level of customer service.
Managing relevant social media platforms, writing their content and website content, coordinating with in
house production dept on all media campaigns / plans, brochures, leaflets, press kits.
Holding this position was challenging by all retail standards as I was in charge of 14 locations in the Gulf region. The job entitled that I consider these stores as my own and to run them / do their forecasts, P&Ls / Budgets, Staffing and of course manage their brand portfolio and set up strategic planning to achieve targets.
Main role:
To plan, monitor and supervise Buying, sales, operations, marketing and HR, for the assigned company/brand/division, in accordance with the company Policy, ensuring maximum productivity; development of personnel under my charge and an optimal level of customer service. Managing relevant social media platforms, writing their content and website content, coordinating with in house production dept on all media campaigns / plans, brochures, leaflets, press kits.
Direct Subordinates: Store Managers
Indirect Subordinates: Assistant Managers, Supervisors, Sales Force, Cashiers, Stockroom Employees and other store employees
The scope of this position extended far beyond the title to cover business development. it comprised of
management activities, supply chain tasks, import / export, market research, pricing / costing simulations and
much more.
Formulated Bidding Process for the Department.
Source new bids and opportunities.
Receive & Review Bids with designated program manager.
Prepare List of Deliverables for the bids.
Prepare submittals and Tender requirements.
Creating work matrix for the bids and communicating data to concerned departments:HR, Accounting/Finance,
Engineering and Procurement.
Assisting Procurement in the selection of vendors in coordination with the technical manager.
Coordinate with Finance Department with respect to Bid bonds and Performance Bonds Issuance.
Managing Procurement and RFQs for special items
Develop Bid / Project purchase specifications in coordination with Technical Manager
Set up of the outgoing bids for company’s ongoing projects.
Formulating basis of evaluation in coordination with the designated project manager and the CFO.
Initiate contacts with potential clients for our newly established 2 divisions for BMS and Excavation and being
the POC in charge of communication and coordination until separate entities are created.
Import / Export, Shipping and Logistics follow up and management.
Main achievements: Creating Categorization files and Database for IT use to Start implementing ERP, Making
sure our first stock orders arrived on time for the Company Launching, Assiting Logistics Dep. In Figuring out
Warehousing solutions (outsourcing, freezone, ..)and set up of our own warehouses in a record time..)
Develop, review, and approve new or improved administrative, purchasing, and clerical procedures to
Maintain economy and efficiency of operation.
Develop purchase specifications in coordination with Product Managers.
Evaluates overall revisions, price and past performance of each contract and approves price increases.
Undertake supplier performance management
Coordinate closely with CEO and suppliers on yearly order plan and monthly purchase forecast.
Monitor delivery.
Prepare weekly, biweekly, monthly reports.
Liaise closely with the Warehouse Manager on stocks ordering, shipping and receiving updates.
Communicate current information on product and market trends and developments.
Follows-up with finance department on the processing of L/Cs / amendments and transfers and ensure timely
settlement.
Preparation of Tender Documentation and Submittals.
Follow up and evaluate the related employees performance, assign objectives, approve and suggest training
courses & job rotations
Control the behavior, the attendance and approve the leave requests of related employees
A major Electro Mechanical Supplier
( PHILIPS Lighting -BTICINO SCHNEIDER MERLIN GERIN SIEMENS ITT LOWARA LIBAN CABLES..)
Supply Chain & Tendering
Reviewing Sales Contracts, Agreement Letters, Distributorship Contracts
Negotiating with suppliers re. New offers & pricings.
Preparation of Costing Simulations.
Handling Major Offers costing + pricing c/o our sister companies in Syria and Qatar
Shipment coordination and follow-up
Summarizing order situations by supplier, client and company ( i.e. sister companies).
Preparation of Tender Documentation (Commercial, Technical Files, Financial) +
all related aspects of submittals up to the point of delivering the material to the
concerned parties within contractual deadlines (if awarded).
Liaising with suppliers with regards to of book of specs and tender requirements.
Corresponding with suppliers throughout different project phases (confirmation, F/UP, payment, shipment.)
Preparing different reports ( maturity list of all bank guarantees and L/Cs, forecasted Invoicing, ..)
Liaising with banks regarding L/C issuance, amendments, payment, undertakingsetc.
In 2008, I have successfully negotiated more than 22 L/Cs amounting to 2.5 Million USD.
Preparation of Bid Bonds Applications and maintaining the current list.
Preparation of Import Financing Requests to banks covering major projects.
Organizational Development
Assisting in developing logistics network, under the approval of Director & ensure continuous monitoring of network in terms of cost & efficiency.
Ensuring cross functional coordination between logistical units & other divisions in order to maximize service level & optimize company supply chain performance in terms of efficiency & cost.
Working on developing the Staff by:
Designing & conducting suitable training plans for the different employees levels
Working on developing the employees' activities through optimizing their functions & eliminating any non-value added activities.
Exports & shipping Logistics Head; Shipment coordination and follow-up, Liaising with banks regarding L/C issuance, amendments, payment, undertakings…etc.
Assisting in setting strategies + plans for market expansion.
Evaluating company performance through sales + sales forcast ( yearly/quarterly)
Negotiating with suppliers with respect to prices & sales budgets.
Closing Deals ( Purchases + Sales ) with Int’l suppliers & clients.
Preparing proposals for Tenders & Bids throughout the MENA region.
Monitoring all company’s financial files .
Hanlded HR Tasks: Recruitment, Employee Evaluation, Defining Profiles for Different posts, ..
• Monitoring warehouses and the transfers.
• Conducting daily inventory checks / adjusting inaccuracies.
• Controlling purchases.
URL removed due to policy violation. Please contact support for further information.