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Resume

I am an astute Project and Property Senior Lead Professional with over 20 years of experience in the design and construction of casual dining and retail outlets from setting up and launching well-known franchise concepts like Wendy's, Costa Coffee, Texas Roadhouse, Starbucks etc. focused on the full life cycle from concept to project finalization globally. I operate at a strategic level, with a bottom line focus and the ability to develop and execute effective operating controls to deliver projects completed accurately and on time. My skills include project and construction management, business-focus and resource management with the ability to solve problems through strong planning and implementation skills whilst being able to work in pressure-driven environments.

 

My experience extends into helping others with their personal growth for individuals under my management/leadership through a focused approach to coaching and mentoring young and curious minds. I thrive on delivering memorable operational experiences and I constantly strive to gain a clearer understanding of a client's needs and ways of working in order to deliver exceptional results in a timely and accurate fashion. I pride myself on my attention to detail and working in a collaborative environment where team members work towards a common goal of achieving business results with a level of work ethic and professionalism.

Experience

Oct 2017- Present

Senior Head of Project & Facility Manager

Emirates Leisure Retail

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  • Responsible for maintaining an effective line of communication between the Group Head of Property and Operational teams on a daily basis.

  • Establish a clear process between project management team, design team and facilities management in 220 operating stores within the UAE and Dubai International Airport location.

  • Outlets included the following brands: Costa Coffee. Pret A Manger. Giraffe World Kitchen. The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck. The Draft House Sports Bar & Canteen. The Noodle House. Mr.Toad's Pub & Kitchen. Jack's Bar & Grill. Primer Inn Hotel.

  • During the past two year our FM Team achieved huge saving of over 5 million AED by bringing all outsourced function inhouse.

  • Initiated a schedule of rates agreement with our contractors thus driving down our build cost by 25%.

  • Achieving a 20% Capex saving in store over 100Sqm and 30% savings in smaller sized store.

  • Built a robust property process and establishment an effective property pipeline for next two years.

  • Introduced appropriate cost recognition: ensure accurate invoicing by suppliers and monitor receivables for all Capex & Opex under my PL for FM 6mil and Capex 25mil per annum.

  • Ensuring project teams achieve a 10% saving against cost goals set for each project.

  • Introduced new, creative ways to employ teams on projects and distribute responsibilities.

  • Managed day-to-day in-house Facilities teams so that expectations of service and deliverables are meet.

  • Formulated Quantifiable Model for our property store cost model for ROCI.

 

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Aug 2015 -  Sep 2017

Consultant F & B Senior Project Manager

Emirates Leisure

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  • Oversaw the successful construction of two Costa Drive thru in Dubai, Value 15 Mil AED.

  • Spearheaded and successfully implemented Host brand new Atlas designs throughout Costa UAE.

  • Coordinated a direct line of communication with Senior Management of all phases of a project or a discrete portion of a larger project

  • Define role, responsibilities and authorities, effectively delegate’s authority and responsibility.

  • Managed, adequate administration of the Main Contract and Subcontracts, including approval of any variations.

  • Mediated resolution of issues or conflicts, robust decision-making is utilized and recorded, ensures that the close out activities are completed.

Jan 2013 - Jul 2015

Consultant F & B Head of Property

Alghanim Industries

Kuwait

  • Assisted the business development team in a successful takeover of Costa and Wendy’s into the Kuwait market. Reorganized the property real estate acquisition process for developments in the Middle East.

  • Successfully integrated a new IT Micros POS system for FOH and inventory management for warehouse control reporting back into SAP.

  • Successfully refurbished 27 stores, closed three and opened 16 new stores.

  • Validate all appropriate costs with Commercial finance ensuring accuracy in invoicing by suppliers and monitor receivables for all projects under my direction.

  • Promoted a clear understanding of our brands' needs in technical preferences, and technical direction and helped with design and implementation with our contractors.

  • Performed financial analysis of current built costs to identify our avg store cost per sqm Achieved a 10% saving against agreed ROCI set for each project.

  • Managed the design and move to the new 8000sqm distribution warehouse in Kuwait.

 

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Jul 2007 - Jan 2013

Regional Project Manager 

M.H.Alshaya Co. WLL 

Kuwait

  • Responsible for the day-to-day operational and tactical aspects of multiple or large-scale projects such as Mother care, Clair’s, Payless, American Eagle, Debenhams, VaVaVoom, Boots, Victoria’s Secret, Body Bath & Works, Vision Express, Next, Dean & De Luca, P. F. Changs, Pinkberry, Texas Roadhouse, Shake Shack, Pei Wei, Sarai, IZ Juice, Starbucks Drive Thru and Magic Planet to name a couple.

  • The highlight was the successful completion of Magic Planet under the 2007 budget estimates.

  • E.H Harris Cost estimate based on the new design format was between 97-110 Million Dirham. I was tasked to deliver the project under the 2007 budget of 67Million Dirham, achieved with a 250k saving with no impact on design specification.

  • Accurately forecasts costs, profitability, margins and utilization across projects.

  • Assists in the identification of strategic accounts.

  • Possesses a thorough understanding of our brand's needs in technical preferences, and technical direction and helps with design and implementation with our contractors.

  • Helps to determine new, creative ways to employ teams on projects and distribute responsibilities.

 

Mar 2005 - Jul 2007

Project Manager 

Styles & Wood Limited

United Kingdom

  • Successfully managed the Barclays Bank refurbishment program through Scotland, UK and Northern Island.

  • Managed the Woolwich Bank rebranding into Barclays Bank in Northern Island.

  • Successfully completed the Glasgow and Cardiff call centres for Barclays Bank.

  • Manage Pre-contract meetings with clients, contractors and PMS and HSE files on each site. Monitoring of expenditure against the budget for the above contracts and suppliers' performance including KPIs.

  • Compiled operational reports for monthly directors’ meetings.

  • Risk analysis and management.

  • Identify and apply Key Performance Indicators.

  • Dispute resolution.

Other Positions Held:

  • I.S.T. Management Services (Pty) Limited Position - Operations Director (Mar 2001 Jan 2005)

  • I.S.T. Transport C.C. - Operations Manager (Oct 2000 - Mar 2001)

  • M.G. Shopfitters C.C. - Project Manager (Nov 1993 - Sep 2000)

  • Sherwood Services (Pty) Limited. - Junior Project Manager (Feb 1990 - Oct 1993)

  • South African Army - Mechanic units (Jan 1988 - Dec 1989)

IT Proficiency

  • MS-word

  • Excel

  • MS-project

  • PowerPoint

  • Outlook

  • AUTO CAD

  • Pastel Accounting

Professional skillset

  • Leadership

  • Team Management

  • Project Management

  • OPEX

  • CAPEX

  • Coaching

  • Mentoring

  • Growth Mindset

  • Contract Management

  • Training

  • Construction Management

  • Testing and Commissioning

  • Planning/directing and co-ordination

  • Quality Assurance & Control

  • Compliance

  • Budget/Cost Control and cost savings

  • SHEQ Control and Time Management Control

  • Health & Safety Management

  • Process Improvement

  • Performance Management

  • Quality & Standards Management

  • Attention To Detail

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