Talal Haroun

Business Development Director, responsible for Rapid Diagnostics division ARDx in the Middle East. Product portfolio include COVID- 19 and base business such as HIV, Hepatitis, Malaria, Cholera, H Pylori, Syphilis and others.
•Brought in more than $20MM from launching a key Covid testing product line in a major ME market.
•Successfully led efforts with Unilabs to supply EXPO 2020 with Antigen tests and ID Now Covid testing instruments and IT connectivity.
•Drove and project-managed an initiative for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nation in Cameron, to successfully fulfilled the demand for 50 Covid-testing instruments and 10k test kits.
•Successfully developed NGO stakeholder mapping for specific disease elimination programs and identified potential and major donors. Delivered engagement plan to major private and NGO donors including organizations with healthcare CSR programs.

Managed a 7-members cross-functional team and supervised 150 to deliver distribution and brand growth across a large portfolio of food brands in UAE. Spearheaded overall commercial and sales operation including annual business planning, Route-To-Market, corporate and consumer communication strategy, retail penetration, financial P&L, forecasting, and execution of consumer marketing and new product launches. Brand portfolio included Kellogg's, Nando's, Smucker's, JIF, Vita Coco, Safa, Al Khaleejia pasta, Melody, and many more.
•P&L responsibility $110MM.
•Recorded the highest-ever value market share of 51% for Kellogg's Cereal business in 2018.
•Reduced number of SKUs by 27% and improved overall GM% by 6pp by designing and implementing SKU harmonization process for own portfolio of food brands.
•Provided entry into the lucrative premium water segment, with first year turnover of $2MM, by acquiring Oxygizer, a Premium water brand in UAE.
•Established RTM to the newly acquired manufacturing facility of a frozen Seafood brand. 1 st year turnover $4MM.

Led the smooth transition of Edgewell Personal Care to a separate, standalone company. Undertook restructuring of sales and marketing departments, putting in place sales and marketing calendars and business building blocks. Ensured shipment and in-market sales are delivered in line with targeted plans. Enhanced digital awareness and acquisition KPIs for several brands and consumer promotions through digital marketing platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Google SEOs. Turnover reached $7MM in first year post restructuring, a 9% growth Vs. prior year.
•Implemented distributor consolidations in a key gulf market that resulted in successful exit of relationships with one distributor. Improved business efficiencies via changing payment terms to 50% advanced and 50% at 30 days' post invoice instead of 100% at 60 days post shipment.
•Executed regional football sponsorship agreement between Energizer and La Liga, "Spanish Football League" across Saudi, UAE, Lebanon, and Qatar. Efforts resulted in gaining market share by 1.3pp, 2pp, 1, 5pp, and 2.1pp respectively and improved relations with key customers.
•Put in place a new strategy in for Gulf markets, prioritizing Sun Care business while defending the shaving business market share. As such, successfully launched Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic in 2 major Gulf markets.

Managing a team of 5 brand managers.
•Developed and launched "Gauloises Additive Free" in Germany Resulted in 0.45% vol. share gain within a year.
•Successfully launched Gauloises "Face" Limited Edition packs in Germany.

Successfully re-classified retail universe in Saudi and UAE based on Volume and Image. Efforts resulted in increased retail weighted coverage by 6pp, and Gross Margin by 2.5pp.
•Introduced re-juvenated Davidoff Premium Line, Davidoff Black & White and David off Luisa Beccaria Super Slims packs across all Gulf markets.

Developed and rolled out Oral-B and Duracell College across the Middle East markets. The objective was to train and improve sale capabilities of 60 internal employees and 220 distributor team members. The training curriculum consist of several modules tackling product knowledge, Gross Margin understanding, promotion concepts and pricing, reporting etc…
•Managed a team of 13 Medical Representatives calling on the medical profession and MOH.
•Developed and implemented "Route To Market" for several P&G brands across all of GCC and all customers.
•Launched two major product line extensions $12MM achieving targets in record time.
•Designed and implemented effective trade plans and increased numeric distribution for Duracell in UAE Groceries resulting with +8pp in two months.
•Launched Oral-B Vitalizer toothbrush in Gulf markets achieving 110% of targeted shipment budget $12MM in one year.

Responsible for OTC product portfolio
•Successfully launched Rhinomer nasal spray and Venoruton Forte, delivering a turnover of $3MM.
•Responsible for medical team cycle plan development and monitoring.