Ihab Abu Hijeleh
Operations Executive
Cairo,C
Summary
Respected global operations executive with unprecedented success in strategic planning and execution, operational leadership, sales and business development within industry-leading organizations across the Middle East. Called upon to expand market presence in untapped markets, boost growth and financial performance. Develop trusting relationships across all levels of the organization to uncover needs and opportunities and devise strategic plans essential for P&L goals, market positioning, and client retention. Bilingual in Arabic & English.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Finance Manager
Fawaz Alhokair COMPANY
- Company Overview: Website: http://www.alhokair.com/
- Established capital and operational budgets to support new store openings and to refurbish and expand existing stores
- Restructured and introduced ERP systems into the finance department to advance operational efficiency
- Website: http://www.alhokair.com/
Finance and Administration Manager
Essentra
- Company Overview: Website: http://www.essentraplc.com/
- Managed all accounting activities in a start-up operation
- Website: http://www.essentraplc.com/
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
SIPES
01.2018 - Current
- Company Overview: Provider of paints and coatings for indoor and outdoor applications in the Egyptian market as well as 15 other countries
- Website: http://www.sipesworld.com/
- Engaged by the CEO to turn around operational performance and drive revenue growth
- Oversee sales, marketing, HR, finance, color centers, supply chain and manufacturing
- Partnered with the CEO & Board Advisors in defining new business vision and operational structure positioning the business for market dominance
- Revamp sales and inventory strategy to increase revenue and reduce expense
- Drive operational process improvements, technology innovation, and institute analytics-driven decision-making
- Recruit and retain a top-performing workforce through implementation of employee incentives
- Transformed operational model to a flattened structure with all departmental channels reporting to the COO to effectively control the business turn around
- Retained operational profitability by decreasing color centers numbers, reducing workforce, and restructuring while rebuilding the leadership team in partnership with the CEO
- Orchestrated a merger with 2 group companies within 3 months, to re-evaluate all assets at new market value to rebalance financial leverage that resulted from severe currency devaluation
- Pioneered deployment of the 1st Oracle Fusion ERP cloud-based manufacturing implementation (Financial, Supply Chain, Manufacturing modules) in the Middle East in a ground-breaking 4 months
- Introduced the MenaMe HR cloud system
- Improved company operations through establishment of the company manufacturing KPIs to track and analyze performance and introduce inventory efficient material mixes
- Innovated new sales strategy with trading liaisons, differentiating Spies in the Egyptian market through free goods, cash discount and floating targets from push-to-pull sales policies
- Crafted and implemented contingency plan during COVID-19, capturing inventory optimization by purchasing large amounts of raw material that enabled continued production despite supply chain disruptions
- Established the MetLife Pension Paradigm for the entire workforce
- Advanced performance analytics insights and operational efficiency through integration of Office 365 and Tableau
- Instituted remote communication technology such as, Leased Lines and WiMax, ensuring connectivity throughout an expansive network of factories and branches
- Provider of paints and coatings for indoor and outdoor applications in the Egyptian market as well as 15 other countries
- Website: http://www.sipesworld.com/
General Manager | Chief Financial Officer – Middle East & North Africa
ESSENTRA
01.2000 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: Global market leader in plastic injection molded, vinyl dip molded and metal components
- Website: http://www.essentraplc.com/
- Rejoined this multinational company to expand its presence in under-developed markets, reduce operating costs and sustain revenue during a period of political instability in the Middle East and North Africa
- Managed large-scale operations in a high-risk market
- Aligned business operations to global standards and advanced efficiencies by streamlining processes, eliminating redundancies, and restructuring employee roles
- Defined sales strategy and negotiated complex commercial deals to enhance market penetration, drive revenue and retain customer engagement
- Developed annual operating plans, budgets, and revenue projections
- During tenure as CFO, directed the launch and financial oversight of a new factory in Jordan
- Steered entry into diverse markets including UAE, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Georgia, Cypress, Sudan, Libya, and Kenya
- Drove lean operating principles through introduction and application of Six Sigma methodology
- Enabled team members to train and obtain Six Sigma certification
- Positioned operations for acquisition of social responsibility certification SA 8000, the 1st SA 8000 certification in the Middle East
- Obtained ISO 9002 & ISO 14001 accreditations and OHSAS 18001 certification
- Maintained Filtrona Golden Standard for Health & Safety for 5 consecutive years in recognition of rigorous production processes and high safety standards
- Recommended and led closure of the Jordan factory to prevent further business stress in the complex regional economy
- Global market leader in plastic injection molded, vinyl dip molded and metal components
- Website: http://www.essentraplc.com/
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance
California State University, East Bay
Bachelor of Science - Finance
University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign
Skills
Strategy and Execution
Sales & Business Development
Scaling & Building High-Performance Teams
P&L Management
Marketing
Organizational Development
IT Infrastructure Strategy
IT Security/Cybersecurity
Inventory Management
Project Management
Regulations & Compliance
Risk Management
Contract Negotiation
Leadership Experience
- SIPES, Cairo, Cairo, http://www.sipesworld.com/, Chief Operations Officer (COO), 01/01/18, Present, Turn around operational performance and drive revenue growth., Oversee sales, marketing, HR, finance, color centers, supply chain and manufacturing., Partner with CEO & Board Advisors in defining new business vision and operational structure., Revamp sales and inventory strategy to increase revenue and reduce expense., Drive operational process improvements, technology innovation, and institute analytics-driven decision-making.
- ESSENTRA, Amman, Amman, http://www.essentraplc.com/, General Manager | Chief Financial Officer – Middle East & North Africa, 01/01/00, 12/31/18, Expand presence in under-developed markets, reduce operating costs and sustain revenue., Manage large-scale operations in a high-risk market., Align business operations to global standards and advance efficiencies.
Timeline
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
SIPES
01.2018 - Current
General Manager | Chief Financial Officer – Middle East & North Africa
ESSENTRA
01.2000 - 01.2018
Finance Manager
Fawaz Alhokair COMPANY
Finance and Administration Manager
Essentra
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance
California State University, East Bay
Bachelor of Science - Finance
University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign