Zakariya Alkhardawi

Provide strategic leadership for a 300+ employee multi-unit grocery retail business, with full accountability for P&L, commercial performance, and business growth. Lead organizational transformation, operational excellence, and customer-focused initiatives while strengthening governance, stakeholder relationships, and long-term value creation.

Co-founded a technology company focused on digital transformation for the grocery retail sector. Co-developed the BigBag platform, integrating ERP, e-commerce, and logistics into a unified ecosystem connecting retailers, distributors, and suppliers. Defined product strategy and led cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, data-driven business solutions.

Founder - PALA ERP Platform (2015-2019)
Founded and developed a cloud-based ERP platform serving micro and small enterprises in Saudi Arabia. Designed simplified business management and process automation solutions that improved operational efficiency while addressing the evolving needs of the SME sector.

Led a high-risk corporate turnaround during a period of severe financial distress. Directed financial, operational, and commercial restructuring while strengthening governance, performance management, and organizational alignment. Managed strategic decision-making that enabled an orderly business closure, protecting shareholder value and minimizing financial exposure.

Led a business-wide turnaround across manufacturing, sales, and marketing operations. Implemented commercial, pricing, forecasting, and KPI frameworks that delivered a 63.5% year-on-year improvement in gross profit. Expanded product lines into Jordan, Yemen, and Oman, while strengthening operational efficiency and long-term business performance.

Established and scaled the company's B2B business from concept to execution. Developed the commercial strategy, operating model, and key account framework, generating SAR 160 million in first-year revenue while creating a sustainable platform for future business growth.

Established the Office Solutions business unit, generating SAR 40 million in first-year revenue. Partnered with PwC and Deloitte on business restructuring and financial modeling. Introduced a direct distribution model that strengthened market reach and laid the foundation for future e-commerce capabilities.

Led commercial transformation initiatives across sales, marketing, and distribution operations. Achieved 25% regional sales growth in the first year and sustained a 13.8% CAGR while improving distribution efficiency and reducing inventory levels by 23% through stronger commercial planning and execution.

Led organizational capability development across the group by designing sales excellence programs and institutionalizing performance frameworks. Managed strategic FMCG partnerships and played a key role in establishing the Olayan Business School to strengthen leadership and commercial capabilities.

Progressed through increasingly senior commercial leadership roles across leading FMCG organizations, including Sales Supervisor, Key Account Manager, Business Development Manager, Distribution Manager, and Regional Manager. Built a strong foundation in sales leadership, route-to-market strategy, distribution management, customer development, and regional business expansion across Saudi Arabia.