Warren Jooste

UTH GENERAL TRADING T / A - MILESTONE, Dubai, UAE • 2013-Present
Gourmet retail supermarket and eatery with stores.

Retail Head
Direct operational and departmental management, guiding retail operations strategy, business planning, and policy development in alignment with company goals for growth and profitability. Coordinate execution of marketing and branding activities to build the brand image and ensure competitive positioning. Collaborate with department heads on departmental policy and planning. Drive numerous concurrent tasks focusing on organizational leadership, staff management, resource planning, and process implementation. Review and approve new store design. Develop and administer financial budgets. Coordinate procurement, purchasing, invoicing, and billing. Recruit, train, and mentor personnel to build a team of 147 personnel. Travel internationally as needed.

• Coordinated strategy and launch for a high-end chain of supermarkets and restaurants, building the infrastructure for a Milestone business operation.
• Orchestrated launch of all new stores, managing all budgets and establish all store operations. Sourced and negotiated all site locations.
• Built a strong organizational culture focused on best practices and standards for growth and development.
• Developed and launched a robust distribution network and all associated procedures and routes.
• Increased profitability and competitive positioning by targeting high-end customers who value service above price.
• Simplified operations and engineered significant cost savings by consolidating accounting functions.
• Dramatically reduced inventory capital investment by forecasting inventory requirements and identifying the risks involved before determining the optimal stock / product mix.
• Secured preferential trading terms through vendor negotiations while fostering stronger relationships, including working with delinquent suppliers to resolve issues.
• Generated exceptional brand growth on launch through leadership of comprehensive social media initiatives.
• Improved staff performance through a system that featured a unique employee benefits program and incentive scheme with flex time and a task-based environment. Established an innovative performance management system.
• Consistently delivered month-over-month growth in revenues, profits, and market share.
• Streamlined retail management through automated, interactive, and online POS solutions.
• Protected the business from exposure by introducing safety clauses into all contracts.

POUNDSTRETCHER, Dubai, UAE • 2011-2013
Owner-operator chain of discount retail stores consisting of 400 plus stores in the UK.

Middle East Country Manager
Demonstrated exceptional international leadership through establishment of stores in Middle East. Created high-impact country, market and region-specific entry plans, purchased new business sites, established distribution network and budgets and recruited and trained store and warehouse staff. Identified high-value business opportunities, as well as potential new revenue streams and ensured development and continuous improvement of service offer.

• Realized successful business launches through superior operations development.
• Controlled costs within targets of department and store through outstanding fiscal oversight.
• Achieved significant savings through creation of penalty clauses within contractual agreements for contractors.
• Optimized market positioning through UK team coaching on optimal products for the Middle East market, as well as correcting pricing strategies.
• Successfully navigated issues pertaining to differences in legislation between the UK and the UAE.

KM TRADING COMPANY, Abu Dhabi, UAE • 2008-2011
Leading chain of department stores and supermarkets for UAE and Oman.

Chief Procurement Officer & Head of Sourcing
Realized breakthrough business development through sourcing, procurement and supply chain management of retail products with annual value of AED 650M to include provision of budget control and optimization of 22 Procurement Specialists.

• Drafted business plan and launched new offices in Bangkok, Indonesia, China and Hong Kong.
• Contributed to growth of 12 new stores through identification and capture of high-value opportunities.
• Strengthened revenue streams by 15%, boosted sales by 30%, and added 25% to bottom line.
• Achieved turnaround of private-label brand through redesign of packaging and products.
• Consolidated number of suppliers by 40% and increased annual number of imported containers from 5 to 150.

Provider of imported brand household furnishings and homeware for South African market.

Founder & Chief Executive Officer: Applied entrepreneurial capability to establishment and drive of enterprise to include provision of budget control and oversight of 12 store staff and 8 warehouse and distribution staff. Guided development of IT and stock management systems, sourced products from 10 countries to include international travel, and oversaw product design, marketing, merchandising, sales, warehousing, import-export, and channel management.

• Orchestrated successful launch of 4 stores through outstanding strategic planning.
• Expanded monthly number of shipping containers to 4 though excellent customer acquisition.
• Delivered annual revenue of $1.8M through diligent fiscal oversight.

International provider of branded foods and beverages, apparel, accessories, and cosmetics.

National Customer Business Development Director (2003-2006)
Regional Key Accounts Executive (2000-2003)
Regional Sales Manager (1998-2000)
Route Manager (1997-1998)
Senior Wholesale Specialist (1996-1997)
Sales Representative (1995-1996)
Exceeded expectations through promotion of portfolio involving more than 53 brands, provision of national and regional budget control, and supervision of 4 Key Account Managers. Forged annual business development and channel plans, executed national sales and marketing plans, opened new business channels, and ensured client retention on national basis.

• Facilitated status of brands as market leaders in respective categories through winning promotions.
• Provided double-digit growth within all relevant posts on consistent basis.
• Maintained trading term increases at 0% or below market inflation on annual basis through negotiations.
• Earned awards including Business Development Manager of the Year, Regional Key Accounts Executive of the Year, and Regional Sales Manager of the Year.