Naran Lal Puthiyottil
Dubai
Summary
Strategic Director in Steel Commercial Strategy and Supply Chain with over 18 years of leadership in steel manufacturing and project sales across diverse markets. Expert in P&L management, procurement, and inventory optimization, driving substantial commercial outcomes in Oil & Gas, Offshore, and EPC sectors. Skilled in managing complex supply solutions, enhancing market development, and executing high-value projects.
Overview
6
6
Languages
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Sales – Project Oil & Gas, Offshore & EPC Business
DSS Steel | Taurani Holdings Limited
Dubai
06.2023 - Current
- Secured strategic offshore customer accounts, creating new profit center and expanding presence in high-value markets.
- Drove KSA structural PEB and offshore initiatives, capitalizing on Saudi government investment in oil & gas infrastructure and industrial development.
- Accelerated EPC approvals across oil & gas and wind farm sectors, strengthening vendor credentials and expanding access to major project opportunities.
- Led technical sales of beams, plates, and hollow sections across major oil & gas and EPC accounts, expanding project pipeline opportunities.
- Grew existing account share by developing strategic opportunities with established customers and aligning sales teams to growth goals.
- Drove U.S. hollow-section sales for bespoke projects through targeted marketing, strengthening market penetration and project-based revenue opportunities.
- Introduced offshore-grade plate product line through exclusive tier-1 Chinese mill partnerships, creating differentiated revenue stream.
- Negotiated multi-million-dollar wind farm supply agreement spanning 2+ years with structured payment terms and defined exit strategy achieveing position L2 amidst tough competition from major steel mills.
- Supported global market projects across offshore oil & gas and EPC sectors, helping open new business and growth channels.
- Advised on inventory purchasing strategies to improve product selection, commercial positioning, and procurement decisions that strengthened profitability and market competitiveness.
- Built direct mill relationships for inventory and back-to-back purchases, improving sourcing flexibility, pricing control, and supply reliability.
- Expanded market access by pursuing Saudi Aramco, ONGC, and Qatar Energy projects for structural steel plates and rolled sections.
- Shaped commercial pricing decisions as Executive Steering and Pricing Committee member, supporting competitive positioning and profitable retail sales.
- Improved organizational safety performance as Health & Safety Committee member, supporting initiatives that raised workplace safety standards.
- Contributed to continuous-improvement initiatives as Executive Working Committee member, supporting Kaizen-driven efficiency and process optimization.
- Was instrumental in introducing new grades such as S355J0WP and S460MLHIC sour service plate sales, moving beyond standard commercial-quality sales for company.
- Supported annual group business planning by shaping strategic growth, market expansion, investment priorities, and long-term commercial objectives.
- Directed sales team activity and monitored daily pipeline progress.
- Coordinated with production, logistics, and inventory teams on order fulfillment.
- Reviewed market trends to guide steel product positioning and territory planning.
- Prepared sales forecasts, reports, and management updates for leadership.
- Trained sales staff on product knowledge, customer handling, and closing techniques.
- Coordinated with marketing teams to develop promotional materials, campaigns, and pricing models.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and customers to maximize profitability.
- Identified potential new markets and developed strategic plans for expansion into those markets.
- Collaborated with leadership teams across departments on initiatives that impacted overall organizational goals.
- Recruited, trained, evaluated, coached, and mentored sales staff members as needed.
- Attended trade shows and conferences on behalf of the company to promote services and products.
Head of Projects | Oil & Gas, Offshore & EPC Business
DBMT Ltd
Dubai, Jebel Ali Free Zone
03.2017 - 05.2023
- Spearheaded Global Markets Projects across GCC and international markets, expanding business footprint through a high-performing commercial team.
- Managed strategic offshore and Oil & Gas accounts including L&T, Saipem, Technip, McDermott, and CB&I, strengthening key-client relationships.
- Executed 25,000-ton KOC project valued at AED 60M, overseeing contract lifecycle from purchase order through post-sales support to ensure client satisfaction.
- Coordinated Saudi Aramco project packages for Saipem, L&T, Lamprell, and McDermott, and strengthening participation across major EPC opportunities.
- Launched KSA market development, converting AED 20M in orders within the first month and establishing immediate commercial traction.
- Led a 7-member Sales Account Manager team serving GCC clients, strengthening account coverage, project development, and regional revenue opportunities.
- Expanded supply operations across Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, enhancing market presence and creating new revenue streams.
- Structured back-to-back beam and plate contracts, protecting margins while maintaining quality standards and customer satisfaction across complex orders.
Projects – Commercial and Technical
DBMSC STEEL FZCO
Dubai, Jebel Ali Free Zone
05.2015 - 03.2017
- Secured direct orders from major EPCs and project owners, expanding the company's technical-sales footprint across strategic markets.
- Generated direct EPC business, reducing reliance on intermediary channels and expanding the company's project-driven revenue base.
- Developed strategic business with Larsen & Toubro, supporting multiple Saudi Aramco projects and expanding high-value EPC opportunities.
- Supported regional structural-steel sales operations, enhancing project execution, technical coverage, and customer responsiveness.
- Strengthened customer relationships, securing bulk and project trades for Fadhili, Zour Refinery, and Taweelah SWRO projects, driving significant contract growth.
- Provided technical sales support to commercial team, expediting customer responses and aligning solutions with complex requirements.
- Supported the transition from legacy inventory systems to SAP ERP, improving process integration, data visibility, and inventory management.
Commercial Manager/Director
YSM Metals International FZCO (EVRAZ NA Rep Office)
02.2014 - 05.2015
- Established exclusive armor plate sales office with EVRAZ North America and leading regional steel stockiest, enhancing defense-market capabilities.
- Secured 3,800 tons of armor plate orders valued at US$9.8M, representing Oregon Steel's first major armor order.
- Expanded GCC opportunities by negotiating an additional 6,000-ton armor plate order for a strategic regional client.
- Imported 250 tons of armor plates from Oregon Steel, creating initial inventory to support regional defense-sector sales.
- Developed comprehensive commercial model detailing investment costs, stock tonnage, inventory strategy, and project sales for GCC/North Africa.
- Partnered with EVRAZ North America R&D to develop 9% Ni plates, targeting GCC and North African energy markets.
- Generated AED 3.5M in carbon steel sales across Oil & Gas and Offshore sectors, achieving a 13% net return within 9 months.
- Developed regional tank-project opportunities through persistent customer engagement and follow-up across GCC markets, strengthening the future project pipeline.
Sales Manager
MetPro DMCC [ A Sumitomo Corporation Joint Venture]
05.2010 - 02.2014
- Led regional Oil & Gas and Offshore projects from commercial development through execution, ensuring timely delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Managed sales across UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, expanding regional coverage across Oil & Gas and Offshore markets.
- Negotiated competitive payment terms with mills and customers, enhancing project cash flow and increasing commercial flexibility.
- Optimized supply-chain coordination across mills, customers, and project teams, ensuring correct specifications, quantities, and delivery schedules.
- Developed targeted marketing strategies aligned with mill strengths, maximizing conversion opportunities and optimizing commercial returns.
- Secured the first sale for WELSPUN Group, establishing market entry and creating a new customer base for Indian steel products.
- Promoted POSCO Gwangyang as an exclusive agency, establishing a new supply channel for specialized steel plate requirements.
- Represented TUNGHOO Steel and SIAM YAMATO as exclusive regional agents, expanding access to premium structural beam products.
- Executed steel supply for Fred Olsen Wind Carrier, enabling successful delivery of a pioneering wind-farm installation vessel project.
- Developed specialist expertise across clad, offshore, and structural-grade plates, supporting technically demanding Oil & Gas applications.
- Established European mill partnerships and secured orders for super-heavy plates reaching 450mm thickness, expanding specialist product capabilities.
- Built strategic relationships with global steel manufacturers including Sumitomo, POSCO, Gerdau, Steel Dynamics, Ozkan, and Kocael.
- Evaluated international mills for project suitability through feasibility assessments, matching manufacturing capabilities with technical and commercial requirements.
- Supported the MetPro–Sumitomo joint venture, expanding stock-material sales through Jebel Ali and strengthening regional distribution capabilities.
- Implemented a customized ERP system, streamlining order processing, accounting workflows, and operational visibility across the business.
- Supported ISO certification for MetPro DMCC, strengthening quality-management standards and reinforcing organizational credibility with customers and suppliers.
- Protected project profitability through disciplined commercial management, consistently targeting strong net margins across completed project executions.
- Protected project profitability through disciplined commercial management, consistently targeting strong net margins across completed project executions.
Executive - Sales – Projects
Tata Steel International (Earlier known as Corus/British Steel)
Doha
12.2007 - 04.2010
- Advanced from Commercial Manager support to leading Corus Qatar's complete sales operations within 8 months, demonstrating strong commercial and leadership capability.
- Managed Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman markets, enhancing regional sales coverage and cultivating profitable customer relationships.
- Led Qatar stock and project sales operations following the Tata acquisition, overseeing commercial activities across the full order lifecycle.
- Secured project opportunities with Qatar Petroleum, RasGas, and Qatargas, increasing engagement in major Qatar energy-sector tenders.
- Expanded Corus Qatar's customer base through targeted business development, converting prospective accounts into viable commercial opportunities.
- Contributed to prestigious projects including Al Shaqab, Common VOC Sulphur, Sidra Hospital, and Nakilat Expansion through competitive market positioning.
- Negotiated mill-delivery, trading, and stock-sales offers, balancing customer requirements with commercial objectives and profitability.
- Coordinated mill and stock deliveries, maintaining project supply continuity and aligning inventory availability with customer requirements.
- Managed stock transfers from Dammam, Dubai, and Sharjah yards to Qatar, ensuring timely replenishment and customer fulfillment.
- Optimized inventory through stock counts, replenishment recommendations, material receipts, and refurbishment planning, strengthening stock availability and control.
- Promoted Corus specialty products including ALUDIP, wear-resistant plates, engineering steel, bent beams, and hollow sections, expanding product penetration.
- Expanded ALUDIP sales across Qatar's insulation sector, securing adoption among key customers and strengthening specialty-product market presence.
- Differentiated Corus against Middle East competitors through market intelligence, improving positioning and supporting successful project-order conversions.
- Served as primary commercial and technical contact, strengthening customer trust through responsive clarification, relationship management, and solution development.
- Delivered weekly market intelligence and project-feasibility updates, enabling management to identify emerging opportunities and prioritize commercial investments.
- Managed branch operations as stockholding head, overseeing inventory, sales, transfers, accounting processes, and customer fulfillment.
- Maintained Oracle 9i inventory systems and office LAN infrastructure, minimizing operational disruptions and supporting business continuity.
- Built relationships with customers, competitors, and steel mills, strengthening market intelligence, supplier access, and business-development opportunities.
- Earned strong management recognition for PR, customer service, business development, and commercial performance, thereby accelerating progression into Qatar operational leadership.
Event Manager
Impetus Events & Promos Location
Madras
12.2006 - 11.2007
- Appointed as Events Manager at Impetus Events & Promos based on strong performance with Wizcraft International, overseeing event management, client engagement, and business development.
- Directed event strategy and company promotion, strengthening market visibility and generating new commercial opportunities across diverse sectors.
- Secured sponsorships through senior-client engagement, establishing commercial partnerships that enhanced event execution and contributed to revenue growth.
- Managed hospitality events with Le Royale Meridien and Fisherman's Cove, delivering high-profile New Year celebrations and corporate functions.
- Orchestrated end-to-end event production, selecting programs, artists, venues, and service providers to deliver engaging client experiences.
- Negotiated event contracts, budgets, and commercial terms, ensuring cost-effective execution aligned with client expectations and profitability targets.
- Led backstage teams and event operations, coordinating resources and personnel to ensure seamless program delivery.
- Managed accounts including Lakme, Big FM, Hero Honda, TVS, Pizza Hut, Nestle, Reliance Group, and NIT, strengthening client relationships.
- Expanded business opportunities through adaptable marketing strategies, positioning products and services effectively across diverse industries and customer segments.
Event Coordinator
Wizcraft International Private Ltd
Madras
01.2006 - 12.2006
- Appointed as an Event Coordinator with a leading global event management company, operating across key international markets including Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia.
- Managed corporate events, promotions, stage shows, advertising campaigns, and roadshows, delivering tailored solutions aligned with client objectives.
- Transitioned into the Sales function within a short period, demonstrating strong commercial performance and expanding client engagement capabilities.
- Supported Wizcraft's nationwide expansion through joint ventures, transferring to a partner company to oversee operational activities and business continuity.
- Coordinated diverse event requirements across multiple client engagements, strengthening service delivery, operational execution, and customer satisfaction.
Education
Bachelor Of Science - Data Analytics & Data Sciences
IIT – M ( Indian Institute of Technology - Madras )
Madras, India10-2026
Six Sigma – Yellow Belt -
Council for Six Sigma Certification
USA08-2026
Cambridge ESOL Certification / higher diploma - Business English(BEC)
Vantage British Council
Madras, India06-2009
High school or equivalent - Science and Technology + Computers
At Nav Bharath Vidyalaya
06-2005
Bachelors - Engineering in Information Technology
Sri Muthukumar Institute of Technology (ANNA University)
Chennai10-2026
Bachelors - Business Administration
Madras University
Madras, India10-2026
Skills
- Steel sales and distribution
- Mill sales
- Strategic procurement
- Supply chain management
- Contract negotiation
- Customer engagement
- Pricing strategy
- Sales leadership
- Business planning
- Operational excellence
- Offshore solutions
- Energy project experience
- Business development
- P&L management
Personal Information
Title: Director | Steel Commercial Strategy, Project Sales & Supply Chain | Oil & Gas, Offshore & EPC | Procurement, P&L & International Markets
Languages
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Hindi
Proficient (C2)
C2
Tamil
Native
Native
Telugu
Advanced (C1)
C1
Malayalam
Advanced (C1)
C1
Arabic
Beginner
A1
Timeline
Head of Sales – Project Oil & Gas, Offshore & EPC Business
DSS Steel | Taurani Holdings Limited
06.2023 - Current
Head of Projects | Oil & Gas, Offshore & EPC Business
DBMT Ltd
03.2017 - 05.2023
Projects – Commercial and Technical
DBMSC STEEL FZCO
05.2015 - 03.2017
Commercial Manager/Director
YSM Metals International FZCO (EVRAZ NA Rep Office)
02.2014 - 05.2015
Sales Manager
MetPro DMCC [ A Sumitomo Corporation Joint Venture]
05.2010 - 02.2014
Executive - Sales – Projects
Tata Steel International (Earlier known as Corus/British Steel)
12.2007 - 04.2010
Event Manager
Impetus Events & Promos Location
12.2006 - 11.2007
Event Coordinator
Wizcraft International Private Ltd
01.2006 - 12.2006
Bachelor Of Science - Data Analytics & Data Sciences
IIT – M ( Indian Institute of Technology - Madras )
Six Sigma – Yellow Belt -
Council for Six Sigma Certification
Cambridge ESOL Certification / higher diploma - Business English(BEC)
Vantage British Council
High school or equivalent - Science and Technology + Computers
At Nav Bharath Vidyalaya
Bachelors - Engineering in Information Technology
Sri Muthukumar Institute of Technology (ANNA University)
Bachelors - Business Administration
Madras University