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Work Background
Chalhoub GroupDirector - Finance
Jan. 2024United Arab EmiratesLeading finance across multiple shared services (Operations, Legal, HR, Finance, IT and Transformation)
• Directing a 10-member Finance team managing annual budgets, monthly forecasting, month-end reporting, operational analytics, and strategic financial insights to support Presidents and C-Suite decision-making
• Acting as a trusted business partner and steering cost efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and financial modelling for major investments and strategic initiatives Key wins
• Implemented activity-based costing across the logistics value chain to determine cost per activity
• Cultivated a high-performance culture by developing strong financial talent across the team
• Achieved a 1% reduction in costs as a percentage of sales by embedding a cost benchmarking culture across corporate service functions
• Delivered a group-wide cost efficiency initiative across multiple workstreams, meeting and exceeding KPI targets
• Streamlined monthly reporting through automation and created consistency across multiple sub-verticals
• Leveraged a robust data warehouse to enhance insight generation, analysis and data-led strategic decisions
• Built and applied complex financial models for major investments and strategic group initiatives
Alshaya GroupDivisional Finance Director
Oct. 2019 - Jun. 2023United Arab EmiratesLed commercial finance for the $1.2B Wellness Division (20+ brands) and $165M Group Logistics.
• Led a team of Business Finance Managers and Financial Analysts whilst overseeing annual budgets, monthly forecasting, month-end reporting, operational and management analytics, and strategic business insights for executive decision-making
• Directing corporate and strategic finance projects across Alshaya Retail Group, driving process automation, financial capability building, and cross-functional business partnerships to accelerate growth and efficiency Key wins:
• Applied activity-based costing to supply chain and logistics to optimise cost allocation and improve profitability
• Delivered financial acumen training to non-financial leaders and enhanced commercial awareness across the organisation
• Spearheaded Organisational Health Index initiative and improved performance from the 2nd quartile to the top decile in global benchmarks
• Developed and mentored finance team members to strengthen capability and succession readiness
• Orchestrated long-term strategic planning initiatives to align financial goals with organisational objectives
• Led the implementation of EPBCS planning and reporting software to standardise forecasting and reporting processes
• Automated supplier returns accounting process, slashed manual reconciliations and lowered outstanding receivables by $1.5M
• Accelerated e-commerce channel growth by setting up reporting frameworks, defining KPIs and executing a pricing strategy
Alshaya GroupHead Of Planning - Food Division
Apr. 2015 - Oct. 2019KuwaitDirected all forecasting and planning activities for a $500M portfolio of 25+ food brands.
• Led a team of 20 to deliver a robust forecasting process and maintain strict control over order frequency
• Strengthening ongoing performance and service levels by cultivating strong internal and external partnerships
• Reducing inventory levels through the design and rollout of stock budgeting disciplines
• Streamlining decision-making by introducing standardised processes, tools, and a comprehensive reporting suite
• Enhancing business performance monitoring using a balanced scorecard approach Key wins:
• Designed and executed a cross-functional S&OP process in collaboration with multiple brands and senior stakeholders
• Deployed Oracle Value Chain demand planning solution, achieved a 10% improvement in product availability, and reduced expiry losses by $5M
• Transitioned supply operations from third-party to in-house and improved cost of sales by 500 basis points (from 30% to 25%)
M. H. Alshaya Co.Head Of Planning - Food Division
Apr. 2015 - Oct. 2019Kuwait
Alshaya GroupBusiness Finance Manager - Food Division
Apr. 2012 - Mar. 2015KuwaitLed finance business partnering for food division of $500 million, 25+ brands.
• Directing a team of five Finance Managers and Analysts to lead the annual Business Planning process, ensuring targets were both ambitious and achievable while reflecting actual business potential
• Overseeing long-term strategic planning for brand portfolio expansion and divestments
• Assessing business performance as well as recommending preventive measures and corrective actions
• Establishing standards by defining critical success factors and key performance indicators for the division Key wins:
• Built business models to support the expansion and growth of core power brands
• Implemented operational efficiency reporting, reducing the gap between actual and theoretical food cost from 5% to 1%
• Designed and implemented an internal financial review process focusing on profitability and key improvement areas
• Cut store opening expenses by 50% through strict control of pre-opening expenditure
• Developed a suite of BI reports to highlight KPIs and performance trends
• Expanded P.F. Chang’s, Shake Shack, Texas Roadhouse, and Pinkberry
• Led a commercial awareness programme and delivered financial coaching to non-financial managers
• Launched The Cheesecake Factory, IHOP Restaurant, Raising Cane's and Katsuya
M. H. Alshaya Co.Business Finance Manager - Food Division
Apr. 2012 - Mar. 2015Kuwait
SA Brain and Company LtdHead of Retail Finance
Nov. 2003 - Apr. 2012Cardiff, United KingdomLed finance for a £75M retail estate of 300 sites.
• Providing financial leadership to the retail division and enhancing decision-making capability through improved reporting for both the Retail Division and joint ventures
• Streamlining finance operations by taking full P&L and Balance Sheet ownership
• Directing the annual business planning and monthly forecasting process whilst identifying and maximising profitable revenue opportunities in collaboration with retail operations managers
• Overseeing investment appraisals and post-audit reviews for acquisitions and developments across managed and tenanted/leased divisions Key wins:
• Led a $20M acquisition of 27 sites and integrated them into the existing estate
• Developed a five-year business planning model across all trading divisions, delivering the first consolidated P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow for the business
• Reduced the accounting timetable from 10 days to 5 days
• Established an ROI approval process for investment appraisal and post-audit review, supported by robust financial modelling
• Implemented a rolling forecast process and ensured timely delivery of 12-month plans across the retail division
• Contributed to a cross-functional property strategy group, improving return on assets by 5% through individual site strategies
• Grew retail estate turnover from £55M to £75M
SomerfieldCommercial Manager - Kwik Save
Aug. 2002 - Nov. 2003ChepstowFinance Business Partner to Regional Director, Divisional Executives and Central Operations Management. Provided operational decision making support, analysis of financial performance and identified opportunities to grow profitable revenue streams
Key wins:
• Implemented financial review process across all divisions
• Improved quality of financial decision making through effective business partnering
SomerfieldSenior Financial Analyst
Jan. 2001 - Aug. 2002Bristol, United KingdomProvided financial support to Trading Directors and buyers across a range of food and non food categories. Enhanced financial understanding of margin within the buying teams and facilitated improvement of forecasting cash margin performance
Key wins:
• Directed category/product promotional strategies through data driven analysis • Improved bottom line directly by £300k by identifying gaps in supplier promotional billing
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