Nadia Naidoo

Early days on something in sustainability and commerce | IE MBA

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

About

My background is in logistics and sustainability. I spent three years working across recycling, waste diversion, and zero-waste-to-landfill initiatives. That's where I first saw how messy the gap is between what companies actually do for the environment and what they say about it. That gap stuck with me. Now I'm exploring it more deeply, talking to people across sustainability, marketing, and compliance to understand how it actually plays out inside companies. I'm in the early stages of figuring out where I fit in this space. If you work anywhere near sustainability and commerce, I'd genuinely love to hear how things work from your side. I'd love to hear how things work from your side. Drop me a message here or at [email protected]

Experience

  • CEO and Co-Founder at Breakthrough
    Jun 2024 - Oct 2024 · 5 mos

  • Managing Director at Spectrum Waste Services
    Jan 2021 - Jan 2024 · 3 yrs 1 mo

    • Led all operational, strategic, and financial aspects of a newly established waste management company, overseeing services in recycling, demolition, and transport, which resulted in a 47% increase in company turnover. • Researched and implemented resource-efficient strategies by analysing data with minimal historical benchmarks, improving truck standing and offloading times, which contributed to a 6% improvement in operational turnaround times. • Developed and maintained strong relationships with both clients and suppliers, securing 18 new customer contracts and expanding operations into coastal regions, with three additional clients. • Introduced innovative waste diversion and sustainability initiatives, including a zero-waste-to-landfill program, reducing fuel costs by 6% and enhancing the company’s environmental credentials. • Integrated advanced Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to optimise operational processes, improving tracking, fleet management, and waste disposal efficiency. • Oversaw the company’s expansion strategy and successfully implemented systems to handle increased demand while maintaining service quality and reducing operational costs. • Championed eco-friendly initiatives that reduced dumping costs and positioned the company as a leader in sustainable waste management practices within the region.

  • National Transport Planner at Distell
    Jan 2020 - Jan 2021 · 1 yr 1 mo

    • Managed national transport operations for South Africa's leading beverage producer, optimising the scheduling of transport resources across multiple regions to ensure cost-efficiency and high service levels. Achieved a 10% cost reduction through strategic transport scheduling and system reviews. • Developed accurate order forecasts in alignment with operational requirements, ensuring that daily load plans were optimised to balance productivity and customer service, meeting stringent delivery timelines. • Collaborated closely with multiple departments, including logistics, operations, and customer service teams, to meet both financial and operational targets, improving the integration of supply chain and transport planning. • Spearheaded efforts to streamline transport operations by analysing performance data, adjusting load plans based on real-time feedback, and ensuring continuous improvements in transport efficiency. • Maintained strong relationships with transport providers and stakeholders to ensure seamless operations, reducing bottlenecks and enhancing the reliability of deliveries across national and regional routes.

  • National Distribution Planner at VSc Solutions
    Jan 2019 - Dec 2020 · 2 yrs

    • Led the nationwide maintenance and optimisation of distribution systems, ensuring consistent high productivity and service levels across multiple depots by actively incorporating operational feedback. • Spearheaded strategic route planning and scheduling efforts, resulting in a 20% increase in site efficiency. This was achieved during a critical management transition. • Analysed logistics data to identify process inefficiencies, developed actionable insights, and implemented solutions that streamlined operations, minimised delays, and improved overall customer satisfaction. • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment of distribution strategies with organisational goals, contributing to significant improvements in on-time deliveries and cost reductions. • Played a pivotal role in refining national transport scheduling systems, optimising routes for both cost efficiency and operational effectiveness, which directly impacted service level agreements (SLAs) and improved client relations.