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Muddassir Ahmad
CEO | Ecommerce | System Design | Implementation | Retail | Omnichannel | Marketplace | Consultant | Profit Center Head | Automation
Dubai
Summary
- Results-driven Executive with 20 years of progressive experience in Omnichannel retail. Developed and Handled over 1.7 Billion AED business
- Exceptional leader, change manager and complex problem solver. Proven skills in operations oversight, policy development and process improvements.
- Accomplished Chief Officer equipped with natural leadership talents and proven business acumen. Specializes in effectively running and continuously optimizing Ecommerce, Marketplace, Brick and Mortar Stores and retail operations. Proven talents in building strategic partnerships with stakeholders and driving necessary change.
- Results-drive CEO with forward-thinking approach centered on company success and competitive growth. Demonstrated record of success in building successful teams and managing profitable operations.
- History of streamlining operations, increasing revenue and reducing costs to maximize business profits. Decisive and strategic leader with demonstrated track record of success in Vendor Management, KPI Management, System design and customer insights specialist, Automation and data analysis, specialist in introduction of new solution and business techniques to handle next 10 years of business challenges
- Studying use of Block chain, NFT in retail in form of WEB 3 in retail to solve transparency problems
- Business Development Professional with broad experience in multi country omni channel retail operation in India, Middle east and Africa .
- Founding member of Sharaf DG big box, Hoot .ae and Sharfa DG Market place. Was very successful in redesigning and pivoting Sharaf DG ecommerce to a flourishing and 3rd biggest marketplace in UAE.
- Ability in seizing control of critical problem areas and delivering on commitments.
- Vast experience in working seamlessly with various support functions cross countries like Finance, HR,Marketing, Development and IT teams to achieve organizational objectives.
- Individually handled and successfully a developed algorithms which reduced cost of operations and capex by upto ~80%.
- Experience in heading marketing, content management, SEO, Information tech design, merchandising and other business teams helped to achieve objectives effectively
- Hand on experience of designing, developing and launching brick and mortar stores, Online website, Marketplace in challenging countries like UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, KSA.
- Understanding the business model change from pipe to platform and networking effect blended with direct handling of cross functional management helped automation or developing various efficiency levers in most effective way.
- Proven track record of year on year growth and delivering profitable growth even during toughest of pandemics.
- Key achievement was ability to swiftly move all brick and mortar business online within 15 days of lockdown.
- Seeking a Senior role in an organization where I can help in business growth, Profitability improvement and cost & process reduction through algorithm development. In the process desire to further enhance my learning inquisitiveness
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Chief Executive Officer
Hoot.ae - Abu Dhabi Community Coperative
AbuDhabi
05.2022 - Current
- Also promoted as head of Business development for parent company Emirates community co-operative
- Signed 1st MOU with NAFED india and ICA (International Cooperative Alliance also called COOP)
- Designed and developed entire Hoot.ae business model, strategy, investor and member plan
- Coached and guided senior managers to improve employee job satisfaction and achieve higher performance levels. Started use of new training techniques like Edu App and automatic KPI tracking like Cascade
- Created P&L and forecasted business plan
- Worked with department heads to address team needs and offer high-level support for everyday operations.
- Directed market expansions to propel business forward, meet changing customer needs.
- Directly associated with System selection, Software design, user stores and customer journey, Automatic recommendation and works flows etc.
- Cultivated forward-thinking, inclusive and performance-driven company culture to lead industry innovations.
- Addressed employee and managerial concerns and implemented corrective actions to promote compliance.
- Identified new revenue generation opportunities to maximize bottom-line profitability.
- Engaged positively with staff and leadership colleagues, soliciting and encouraging feedback and collaborative spirit.
- Re-Negotiated with suppliers and delivery workers and ordered materials according to forecasted customer demand.
- Implemented strong hiring and training techniques to promote team cohesiveness and streamline overall workflow.
- Made large-scale financial decisions and supervised company spending to reduce material losses and maximize profits.
- Reviewed individual department performance and worked with leadership to improve processes, procedures and practices.
- Managed partnerships and strategic business relationships by negotiating contract terms and handling conflicts.
General Manager - Business Head
Sharaf DG LLC
Dubai
01.2020 - 02.2022
- Headed brick & mortar / omni channel retail of Egypt, and Ecommerce / Market place in UAE
- Worked to bring grounds up launch of omnichannel KSA Responsible to pivot Sharaf DG from a brick and mortar retailer to a successful omnichannel and marketplace with 700+ sellers and 300 Million + GMV in 1 year.
- Onboarded millions of products from famed sellers like Tata Cliq, Usha Devi non profit org, Desert cart etc on the platform
- Responsibility included designing the complete change of business process, solution / software selection, writing user stores and hand over to development.
- Enhanced further by hands on experience with softwares like Mirakl, Magento, Akeneo - PIM, Algolia - Search and content management.
- Developed concepts like Supplier support department along with customer support to help perfect the journey
- My post graduate degree in information Tech and with close working in software development at initial stage was very helpful in this transformational retail journey.
- Last worked on 3rd Gen concepts like Anytime sales expert using video tech (online and offline), connecting right customers to right products and automated product comparison and suggestion to customer basis look alike modeling and such advanced Ai algorithm.
- Developed buy box and delivery service partner algorithm which will be auto executed basis efficiency and quality of seller and service partners Not only cost of delivery.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision and long-range planning.
- Evaluated suppliers to maintain cost controls and improve operations.
- Designed modern employee recognition program which boosted productivity and improved morale.
- Introduced new methods, practices and systems to reduce turnaround time.
General Manager - Head of Merchandising
Sharaf DG LLC
Dubai
06.2018 - 07.2019
- Prepared annual budgets with controls to prevent overages.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision and long-range planning.
- Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations and contract details.
- Reduced process bottlenecks by training and coaching employees on practices, procedures and performance strategies.
- As head of merchandising, marketing and content was responsible for Over all P&L of the country, Vendor relationship, Agreement, branding and negotiations.
- Successfully added direct engagement with A brands like Apple, Samsung and guided team to negotiated 300+ brands with RAAS (Retail as a service) business model which add 50% of bottom line today.
- Negotiated with software vendors and developers to be able to execute a profitable marketplace.
- Negotiated concepts like pay as per ROI with Software providers to help achieve the profitability in ecom.
- Famous promotion like Buy a TV + BMW, 1 Dhs promotion and multiple heavy discount bundle offers were conceived, developed and executed Successfully launched and grew paid DG member program by 50K members in 6 months during GITEX.
- Also was able to bring in the 3rd party associated content Starz Play to the members. This was 1st every such activity by any retailer in the region
- Developed effective business plans to align strategic decisions with long-term objectives.
- Provided thoughtful guidance to personnel in navigating and resolving snags in productivity.
- Identified trends in customer marketplaces to develop valuable solutions.
Deputy General Manager
Sharaf DG LLC
Dubai
08.2013 - 06.2018
- Deputy General Manager - Strategic Alliances - UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar at Sharaf DG
- Responsible to Develop and Nurture long term Vendor relationship and strategic business alliance across all spectrum of Sharaf DG retail and across the region
- Maintained qualified staff and communicated areas of accountability and expected performance.
- Directly responsible for developing authorized service centers from brands like HP, Apple, Samsung, Lenovo etc
- Direct engagement and business with top brands which helped in increasing bottom like by 30%
- Developed relationships with brands like BMW, Mercedes, Mont Blanc which helped future promotions
- Introduced concepts of Joint business plan and engagement with Headquarters of these top brands, helping 30% of SKU exclusive in assortment.
- Prepared annual budgets with controls to prevent overages.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision and long-range planning.
- Participated in planning process to achieve corporate objectives.
Asst General Manager - CDIT
Reliance Retail Limited
Mumbai
01.2013 - 07.2013
- Learned new skills and applied to daily tasks to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Improved operations through consistent hard work and dedication.
- Participated in team-building activities to enhance working relationships.
- Successfully maintained clean, valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation.
- Assistant General Manager at Reliance Digital Retail Limited (CDIT) Ecommerce merchandising and business strategy,
- System input, sop and policies.
- SBU head Accessories
- Launched 1 st 100 store of Reliance Digital. Gained experience to launch 5 store per day. Idea of Scale
Deputy General Manager - CDIT
Reliance Industries Limited
Mumbai
12.2011 - 12.2012
- Business Head Photo Video and Electronics
- Fostered and promoted cooperative and harmonious working climate conducive to maximum employee morale, productivity and effectiveness.
- Reviewed performance results to target and take corrective measures with authorization and escalation.
Business Team Lead - Sr Category Head
Sharaf DG LLC
Dubai
01.2005 - 01.2011
- Founder member of Sharaf DG LLC retail in region
- Category Management & Profit Centre Head
- Key experience in Consumer Durable and Information Technology Division (CDIT)
- Exceeded revenue and profitability goals, leading team through proven coaching and motivational techniques.
- Led by example, modeling expected selling behaviors to build team confidence in standard tactics.
- Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations like Core competencies in promotion display and its effectiveness,monitoring Average Ticket Value (ATV), Foot Fall, Conversion and accessory attachment
- Developed worlds 1st memory / storage experience zone along with Sandisk. Its best practice for all memory business even till today
- Deft in mapping market dynamics to draw vital inputs to facilitate designing/realignment marketing/sales strategies to combat competition & sustain leadership position with business realities.
- Highly skillful in driving high-value revenue and profit plans, large scale cost savings, building prolific strategic alliances to position organization for long-term profitability and enhance productivity & performance
- A decisive leader with excellent ability to coordinate with different people at one time under difficult situations and the ability to bring out the best in others while creating a healthy & friendly work environment, thus enhancing business efficiency
Sales Manager Canon - Photo Video & IT(Print)
National Store LLC
Dubai
01.1998 - 08.2005
- Onboarded new templates to help sales staff carry price and stock information.
- Created plans and communicated deadlines to complete projects on time.
- Created spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel for daily, weekly and monthly reporting.
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Driving sales of Canon photo video & office automation products through highly motivated group of individuals across UAE.
- Formulating sales and promotion strategies. Improvement of sales by 100% YOY Part of Canon - Office Automation & Consumer Imaging sales and marketing team -
- Successfully launched and sold 1st ever Canon Calculators in the region.
- Achieved highest sales ever in this division, a record which stands even till today or over 2 million in one single deal
Education
MBA - Information Technology & Project Management
Vision School of Mamangment (AICTE Approved)
New Delhi, India 01.1994 - 12.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Financial Accounting And Law
Jamia Millia Islamia
New Delhi, India 01.1991 - 12.1995
10+2 - Maths, Science, Economics
Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh, India 01.1990 - 12.1992
Skills
Policy development and optimization
Organizational turnaround
Shareholder accountability
Business alliances
Business start up
New market penetration
Market strategies
Financial Management
Profit & Loss
Budgeting
Market research and analysis
Process improvements
Negotiation
Strategic planning
Consulting
Operational Oversight
Interests
Swimming
Cricket
F1
Timeline
Chief Executive Officer
Hoot.ae - Abu Dhabi Community Coperative
05.2022 - Current
General Manager - Business Head
Sharaf DG LLC
01.2020 - 02.2022
General Manager - Head of Merchandising
Sharaf DG LLC
06.2018 - 07.2019
Deputy General Manager
Sharaf DG LLC
08.2013 - 06.2018
Asst General Manager - CDIT
Reliance Retail Limited
01.2013 - 07.2013
Deputy General Manager - CDIT
Reliance Industries Limited
12.2011 - 12.2012
Business Team Lead - Sr Category Head
Sharaf DG LLC
01.2005 - 01.2011
Sales Manager Canon - Photo Video & IT(Print)
National Store LLC
01.1998 - 08.2005
MBA - Information Technology & Project Management
Vision School of Mamangment (AICTE Approved)
01.1994 - 12.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Financial Accounting And Law
Jamia Millia Islamia
01.1991 - 12.1995
10+2 - Maths, Science, Economics
Aligarh Muslim University
01.1990 - 12.1992