Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Innovative, strategic, result oriented aviation executive leader with proven skills in Commercial, Procurement, and Change Management for industry leading organisations. Proven track record of achieving results through leading & motivating highly effective teams, managing large scale and complex budgets, buying and selling global airline direct operating agreements, and driving strategy for transformational change to deliver efficiency improvements, value creation, and operating cost reductions. Equipped with an international background, a diverse experience in airline operations, and breadth of senior leadership & management roles with significant span of control. Presently leading the Commercial & Business Development organisation for dnata UAE across multiple airports in Dubai, including the largest single ground handling location in the world (DXB).
Responsible for leading dnata’s Airport Operations UAE Commercial & Business Development department, driving an annual revenue stream of over USD 500m across two airports, Dubai International (DXB), and Dubai World Central (DWC). End to end responsibilities for strategy, business development, sales, contract and account management, and commercial operations, delivered to over 150 airline customers. In addition, business owner of the B2C brand, marhaba, providing premium passenger services including meet and assist, visa processing, luggage transport, airport transfers, and airport lounges across 6 concourses. • Led and developed commercial transformation programme, for world class commercial organisation focused on customer success and financial objectives • Successfully increased customer NPS YoY driving customer retention and advocacy • Creation and execution of marketing strategies to drive 3x multiple in customer penetration ad update, whilst increasing product level profitability • Guided business through organisational change and resizing to mitigate financial risks associated with Covid-19 impacts, allowing rapid return to financial stability
Responsible for evaluating, negotiating, and recommending merger and accusation opportunities in addition to supporting the execution and implementation of new business and greenfield operations. Relocated to USA for 6 months to manage implementation, integration, and transition of subsidiary to meet growth targets. • Business case, negotiation, and SPA development for business development opportunities • C-suite advisor for business integration programmes across all aspects of business to achieve USA growth strategy • Successfully opened 2 new greenfield start-ups for global Airline partner
Responsible for leading the ERP Transformation Programme representing Procurement, Logistics, and Supply Management with a vision of implementing best-in class processes and systems across 33 countries, over 60 entities, and more than USD 27 billion cost base. Process design responsibility covering Source to Contract, Procure to Pay, Plan to Produce, Real-estate Management, Contingent Workforce Management, Flight Orders, Integrated Business Planning, Extended Warehouse Management, and Transportation Management. • Led and developed a team of high performing managers to design best-in-class procurement by implementing best practice processes, technology, resources and strategy • Executed programme management capabilities to successfully plan, track, monitor, and deliver to key timelines and objectives • Managed an external team of consultants as integrated resources to deliver technical knowledge for successful delivery • Collaborated with leadership in determining process improvement & efficiency strategies for business transformation • Supported the impact of change on organizations, using assessments of organizational culture, performance, and readiness for change • Worked on complex problems where analysis of situations or information required an in-depth evaluation and knowledge of various factors • Benefits realisation and tracking against business case • Designed technology enablers including SAP Ariba (SLP, Spend Visibility, Strategic Sourcing, Guided Buying, Risk, and Commerce Automation), and SAP S/4HANA (Materials Management, Production Planning, Procure to Pay) • Led a team to design an global end to end solution for airline catering production manufacturing including bespoke flight scheduled driven components while adopting a minimised customisation approach
Responsible for leading strategic sourcing teams for Airline Services with a remit including global procurement across Ground Handling (Passenger & Ramp), Cargo Handing & Distribution, Crew Hotels & Transportation, Chauffeur Drive, Inflight & Lounge Catering, On-board Products, and Airport User Charges. • Led and developed a team of highly effective category managers, implementing various strategies for the lowest total cost of ownership for over USD 3.5 billion spend per annum • Led strategic activities, including category planning, sourcing, risk management and act as a single point of contact for senior stakeholders • Developed and implemented strategic sourcing processes to enhance category management capabilities and organisational strength • Led research projects on value chain creation and organisational waste/cost reduction through alternate operating models across various categories • Worked closely with Business Units to identify, challenge, standardise, and simplify specifications and processes, ensuring group buying power was maximised • Implemented strategies enhancing supplier relationship management and supplier market development • Exercised strong strategic management capabilities with extensive analytical and problem solving skills, providing the ability to develop and drive innovative solutions
Responsible for developing and implementing strategies for procurement for world class onboard product, including contract and vendor management to achieve the optimum terms & conditions in accordance with best procurement techniques. • Managed all Up and Down Stream procurement activities for inflight passenger experience products from design, sourcing, evaluation, award, order processing, delivery, and post contract management • Lead a team of category experts managing over 2,000 items used for inflight passenger experience, ranging from commoditised to bespoke across multiple categories including paper, plastics, chinaware, linen, rotables, consumables, amenity, food, beverage, and many more • Managed contract lifecycles for over 350 suppliers with an annual spend of above USD 350 million • Facilitated cross functional and cross entity innovation workshops enhancing organisational capability, knowledge, and design ability
Recruited as the Commercial & Operational Account Manager for the delivery of Jetstar Retail Buy on Board Catering business. Successfully developed business processes and revenue management tools to streamline operations and increase model profitability against a revenue stream of $25M per annum. • Implemented a streamlined operational model to reduce complexity, standardise operation and significantly reduce labour costs with nil impact to revenue. Approximate AUD 750K savings achieved per annum • Developed of an automated reconciliation and reporting system for accurate tracking and management of the Retail Buy on Board business • Conducted monthly presentations covering Financial & Operational matters to ensure effective product and category management for maximised return • Coordinated subcontracted catering start-up for locations both domestically and internationally • Built a strong relationship founded on trust and mutual respect with Jetstar's Inflight Service Team leveraging to renew existing contract and continue the partnership • Within 12 months of joining was recognised to be a member of the Asia Pacific Talent Program for Gate Gourmet • Participated in Inflight Logistic Taskforce to review current level of business and implement strategies to improve performance • Supported the development of strategic initiatives and vision in conjunction with Managing Director
Appointed to this position after a placement in department from the Jetstar graduate program. Responsible for the coordination of all IFE tasks, supply, servicing, handling, and asset management • Managed transition of ILF supply from existing supply with expired contract to new supplier and agreement • Liaised with subcontractors to set and deliver agreed service levels for maintenance and operational support • Liaised with internal departments and external partners to develop efficient & robust policy and procedures • Implementation of Asset Management system to control airline exposure to theft • Administration and development of Jetstar Inflight Intranet Site