Tarek Elbarri

Q Express is a newly established subsidiary of SOUQ.COM (a Jabbar Internet Group company which operates in 4 markets in the region), and is specialized in providing warehousing, fulfillment, & logistics services for the group. Q Express is being set-up to be the first 3PL company that provides end-to-end services for E-commerce businesses in the region.

Regional Director of Logistics:

* Report directly to the CEO of SOUQ.COM & head up the entire operations of the company.
* Provide overall direction & leadership to the logistics network for the company by developing operations strategy & future capabilities to meet the company’s short & long-term strategic and operational direction.
* Develop, monitor, & manage annual operating budget for all departments within operations.
* Set-up the organizational structure & work closely with H.R. department to define roles/responsibilities of every function in the operations.
* Create & implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) & processes for all operations departments; procurement, warehousing, receiving, inventory, fulfilment, reversed logistics, & transportation/delivery.
* Set-up transportation network division within operations to provide in-house delivery services for all orders of SOUQ group of companies.
* Establish a culture of continuous improvement to drive best practices & high customer service measures, while maintaining and improving upon a low cost structure.
* Manage the daily, weekly, & monthly operational analysis to ensure achieving desired KPI’s while controlling cost.
* Partner with technology teams to implement & train staff on ERP/WMS systems for receiving, inventory, fulfilment, & returns functions, as well as provide requirements to build in-house transportation/delivery tracking system.
* Define the needed reports for tracking performance & work with technology teams to develop such reports.
* Support Business Units/Sales through proactive planning to ensure operational readiness in achieving on-time delivery.
* Replicate all of the above in 4 markets within the region (UAE, KSA, Kuwait, & Egypt)

Groupon is global company that was established as a city-guide and to serve local businesses as an online marketing tool, by providing end-users with daily deals at huge discounts. According to Forbes Magazine (August 30th, 2010), “Groupon is the fastest growing company ever”.

Head of Operations:

• Oversaw strategic planning to maximize revenue and increase gross profit by utilizing historical data and current market trends, and implementing global demands from head office.
• Directed, planned, and implemented policies, objectives, and activities for various operations departments.
• Reviewed financial statements, sales/activity reports, and other performance data to measure productivity & goal achievement.
• Hired and led operations department managers (Go Live/Editorial, Partnership Management, Redemption, Customer Service, and Social Media), and provided support to ensure maximum productivity.
• Worked closely with leadership team (CEO, COO, Director of sales) to execute plans and track results.

The company is the leading provider of technology based transportation and logistics management solutions.

Key Responsibilities:
• Analyzing key drivers, trends and regulations impacting assigned transportation/logistics operations, making decisions to ascertain reliability of sourcing at the best value for the company.
• Evaluating suppliers based on key deliverables (production, pricing, distribution and service capabilities) conforming to turnaround time, quality and cost. Maintaining accurate database of prices, sources, specifications and other relevant information.
• Managing all cognizable risks associated with transportation of goods, prepared monthly reports and recommending solutions to the upper management.
• Ascertaining compliance with organizational requirements, negotiating tariffs/base rates with carriers for new/existing contracts and maintaining competitive pricing, leading to yearly cost reduction activities.
• Establishing and maintaining efficient relations with vendors/service providers to ensure smooth execution logistics operations as per the set standards.
• Directing the preparation and maintenance of carriers’ performance/operations analysis reports to keep the Chief Operating Officer abreast of all departmental activities.
• Keeping abreast of current market trends/fuel rates, performing rates analysis and accordingly developing sourcing/pricing strategies to improve profitability of business operations.
• Demonstrating continuous effort to improve operations, decreasing turnaround times, streamlining work processes to ensure achievement of set SLAs and on-time delivery of goods.

Joined the company as Operations Team Lead and worked up the hierarchy to the position of Distribution Manager.

Designation Chronology:
• Oct 2005 - Jul 2007: Distribution Manager
• Aug 2002 - Sep 2005: Operations Supervisor
• May 2001 - Jul 2002: Operations Team Lead

Key Projects To Credit:
• Implementation Of Team Lead Training Manual for Operations
• Deployment of New Technology Pick-To-Lite (PTL) for outbound operations
• Reprogramming/Reshipping project For 180K ($500, 000).
• Successful Implementation Of New Technology (RFID) For Shipping Operations

Key Responsibilities as Distribution Manager (Oct 2005 - Jul 2007):
• Developed turnkey solutions to facilitate optimized intra and inter unit movement of equipments. Monitored the quality, cost and efficiency of the movement of equipments.
• Analyzed critical scenarios and established standardized processes for efficient trouble-shooting of logistical issues, while striking yield oriented balance for the organization.
• Sourced, developed and negotiated contracts with vendors for best deals, liaised with international logistics to insure proper scheduling and shipping practices, ascertained implementation of local and international custom laws, rules and regulations.
• Coordinated with suppliers/ vendors to ensure an optimized supply chain. Implemented several process improvement initiatives to achieve substantial reduction in distribution costs.
• Ascertained minimal overheads by reducing delivery time, ensured optimum utilization of resources with minimal idle time for all fleet vehicles.
• Kept a track of order cycle and internal control systems and accordingly executed distribution/cost saving initiatives in the department.
• Directed and monitored overall activities of the operations personnel, organized cross-training programs and conducted periodic performance reviews to maintain a motivated team.

Key Responsibilities as Operations Supervisor (Aug 2002 - Sep 2005):
• Streamlined outbound operations of the company, established supply chains and handled legal procedures related to shipping/clearing of goods.
• Acted as internal consultant to account managers/customers for resolving supply chain issues arising due to new trade terms. Proffered guidance to customers in optimizing their supply chain in compliance with new trade terms.
• Evaluated price, quality, availability, reliability and technical support when selecting suppliers, thus ascertaining highest quality goods/services at the lowest possible cost.
• Maintained accurate record of complex logistic transactions using Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and provided periodic reports to the upper management.
• Ensured optimal usage of all available resources to execute delivery as per schedule and within budgeted overheads. Enforced budgetary guidelines, cost control and cost cutting measures.
• Led a team of 15-20 associates to ascertain smooth of warehousing/logistics operations as per the set standards.
• Kept existing supply chains effective and established new ones, maintained close tabs new market trends and competitor pricing.

Key Responsibilities as Operations Team Lead (May 2001 - Jul 2002):
• Managed, distributed, monitored the movement of all materials and equipments between company locations and client destinations, with due relevance to associated transportation logistics.
• Monitored supply chain performance, devised budgets and ensured timely/accurate information flow within/outside the business.
• Fostered clear channels of communication between the logistics division, sales team and the customers, to ensure smooth execution of all day to day activities of the division.
• Submitted periodical reports to management, highlighting possible anomalies, underlying causes and recommendations to circumvent supply chain bottlenecks.
• Maximized all warehouse activities to meet established financial goals, suggested operational and capital improvements to senior management.