Riji Alex
Summary
Self-motivated, accomplished and integrity driven International Trade professional with proven capabilities in Business Development, Vendor Management, Credit Administration, Logistics and Supply Chain Management in Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America
Enthusiastic, hardworking and a result oriented, business focused person with high levels of competency and a proven ability in managing turn key projects to deliver quality outcomes within time schedules, budget constraints and changing business environments. Presently associated with CEE CEE Holding Inc as Group Logistics Manager, Ajman, U.A.E
Professional Synopsis
? 12+ Years Experience in International Trade with excellent understanding of, Logistics, Trade Finance and Trade Law
? Experience in negotiations, contract management and sourcing or product and services
? Thorough understanding of customs and business regulatory environments in Middle East, East and West Africa
? Experience in dealing with stakeholders in multiple geographies and multi-cultural environments in Africa, Asia and Europe
? Exposure to wholesale merchandise and portfolio of consumer and industrial products.
? Managed sales portfolio of US $ 10 Million Plus
? Profound knowledge of various stages of Business Development Cycle and Logistics and Supply Chain Management
? Extensive experience in managing, motivating and leading a team in a result driven environment
? Excellent internal and external stakeholder management skills
Core Competencies & Specializations
? Business Development
? Commercial Sourcing
? Vendor Management
? Logistics
? Supply Chain Management
? Credit Administration
? International Trade
? Negotiations
? Marketing Services
? Change Management
? Stake Holder Management
? Business Planning
Professional Education
Qualification Year University
Master of Business Administration – MBA International Business 2013 Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India
Bachelor of Commerce 1996 Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India
Senior Secondary Certificate - Commerce 1993 Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India
Specialist Software Application Skills
? MS Word
? Advanced Excel
? Power Point
? SAP
? Tally
? CRM
? Outlook
? ERP
? Business Objects
Professional Experience
CEE CEE Holding Inc [September 2010 till date)
Designation (s) Group Logistics Manager and Commercial Manager
Locations Middle East, Far East, East and West Africa
Currently working as Group Logistic Manager managing a team of 20 people responsible for various functions within, Vendor Management, Operations. Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Handled the role of Commercial Manager in charge of West Africa for 5 years.
Group Logistics Manager (2015 – Till date
Logistics & Supply Chain Management
? Responsible for overseeing the inventory management process and stock levels in various locations
? Procurement of materials on the basis of the forecasted demand for various product lines
? Determination of appropriate inventory levels for various departments and product lines
? Inventory ageing analysis and time bound elimination of obsolete and off spec material through marketing channels to reduce the financial impact
? Establishment and monitoring of access control and security systems to safeguard warehouse operations
? Manage inventory optimization to reduce lead time and holding costs
? Introduction of JIT for product lines with reliable suppliers and logistics providers
? Monitoring of shipments and redressal of any logistical issues
Planning & Budgeting
? Supervises requirements planning for the logistics and customer service departments
? Setting the short and medium-term target and objectives for the department
? Interprets and evaluates legal documents and relevant legislation to assess impact on the department and planning for any remedial actions
? Responsible for preparation of annual budgets for logistics and customer service departments
? Pre-budget consultations with various department to aid accurate budget preparation
? Periodic review of the budget and performance to assess variance and advice on corrective measures.
? Explore and introduce cost saving measures in the operations of the logistics and customer service departments
? Cost benefit analysis of various projects and report to senior management for actions
Vendor Management
? Responsible for all relationships with suppliers and transport providers to the company.
? Onboarding of suppliers and transport providers, back ground checks and contractual agreements.
? Evaluation of price quotes from multiple suppliers, working alongside the Finance and Marketing Departments
? Negotiation with various vendors for competitive pricing and flexible delivery sizes
? Freight arrangements with transport providers and shipping lines for competitive freight charges
? Monitor and report on the performance of selected vendors to ensure delivery in line with contractual obligations and performance metrics
Commercial Manager – West Africa (2010 - 2015)
Marketing & Business Development
? Responsible for meeting turnover goals and quality of service
? Preparation and review of marketing material for various product lines ensuring adequate provision of information regarding products and terms and conditions of service.
? Identification of market opportunities through target market analysis, territorial expansion and new product lines
? Co-ordinating marketing campaigns with sales activities of various divisions of the company
? Planning and implementing promotional campaigns for multiple product lines
? Determination of the price of products to ensure the pricing remains competitive.
? Send follow-up marketing materials and make follow-up monthly calls to establish relationships
? Business engagements with potential, new and existing customers to facilitate new business in new geographies
? Sales presentations for clients showing the success and credibility of the business and products and services
? Coordinate efforts to improve the customer experience at the point of sale.
? Analysis of sales data and keeping up to date with current market trends and customer needs.
? Monitor and report on effectiveness of marketing communications
Operations Management
? Managing a team of 20 members consisting of, logistics and operations management.
? Back office administration of the UAE office and sales offices in Africa
? Introducing and managing in-house IT systems ensuring that they are fit for purpose.
? Support team, work collaboratively to contribute to achieving organization’s business goals
? Participate in meetings to obtain the work group perspective and share information
? Performance review of the team and create an environment of continuous improvement
? Escalate issues, advise and receive instructions from the senior management
? Support the company in distribution planning and making sure the business is adequately resourced.
Other Responsibilities
Change Management
? Implementation of new systems for inventory management
? Assess the changes required for process, people and internal communications to support the business objectives of the company
? Support the design, development, delivery and management of communications
? Conduct impact analyses, assess change readiness and identify key departmental stakeholders.
Achievements
? Inventory management with 97.50 percent accuracy.
? Significant reduction in the number of customer complaints. Customer complaints reduced by 90 percent.
? Streaming the order process.
? Introduction of significant systems in operation Management.
Commercial Manager – EMVEE Inc FZC, Ajman, UAE [June 2006 – July 2010]
Designation Commercial Manager
Locations Middle East, West Africa, Canada
Worked as Commercial Manager managing a team of 30 people responsible for various functions within Marketing and Business Development, Vendor Management, Operations. Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
Responsibilities
Marketing & Sales
? Managing all marketing for the company and activities within the marketing and sales department.
? Developing the marketing strategy for the company in line with company objectives.
? Co-ordinating marketing campaigns with sales activities.
? Identification of opportunities and product lines for marketing
? Creating a wide range of different marketing materials for various product lines
? Analyzing potential strategic partner relationships for marketing various product in Africa
? Send follow-up marketing materials and make follow-up monthly calls to establish relationships.
? Periodic visits to potential, new and existing customers for business expansions
? Presentations to client articulating the value proposition of product, solution, and service offerings.
? Management of suppliers for various products and management of the vendors
Finance Management
? Preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for all product lines based on order commitments
? Review of the forecast and analysis of the trend in cash flow from various product lines
? Invoicing and managing the collection of sales proceeds
? Ageing analysis of the debtors and initiating debt collection
General Operations
? Co-ordination and control of the order cycle, stock level, delivery time and transport costs.
? Performance review of the team consisting of thirty members
? Continuous improvement and develop business performance through change management
? Procurement of products ranging from Beverages to Industrial Goods
? Responsible for the warehouse operations, inventory management and logistics
? Development of the pricing formula for various products to suit every geographical region of operations
? Co-ordination of the shipment, addressing delays and escalation of any unresolved issues
? Coordinate efforts to improve the customer experience at the point of sale.
? Business development project planning, prioritizing and performance review of 15 members
Rich Info Tech Private Ltd, Cochin, India [November 1996 – May 2006]
Designation Promoter and Marketing Director
Locations Cochin, India
Entrepreneurial venture for distribution of Acer Computer Equipment’s in the Central Kerala Region.
Responsibilities
? Authorized dealers for Acer Computers and computing equipment for Ernakulam District
? Networking with institutions and industry partners to build relationship for sustained businesses
? Preparation of strategies, business plan and setting of business goals
? Preparation of retail and institutional marketing collaterals
? Market research to augment marketing efforts and competitor analysis in the institutional segment
? Training the technical and sales force in customer management and after sales service
? Performance analysis review by region, sector and various customer categories.
? Interact and co-ordinate various stakeholders of the Vendors, Customers, Shareholders, Employees and Banks
Achievements
? Top Dealer for Acer for 12 consecutive months for Ernakulam District
Strength
? Excellent negotiation and presentation skills
? Good Analytical, quantitative and problem-solving skills
? Strong communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels and ability to work with diversified work force
? Self-starter and comfortable identifying issues independently and making recommendations to senior management