Makram Malaeb
Summary
Experienced and visionary CEO with a proven track record of driving business growth and leading high-performing teams. Strategic thinker with exceptional leadership skills and a strong focus on innovation and customer satisfaction. Adept at navigating complex challenges and achieving sustainable results.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Commercial Officer
Saudi Company for Hardware (Saco)
Saudi Arabia
08.2023 - Current
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase revenue, market share, and profitability.
- Created and maintained relationships with key customers and partners to ensure long-term growth.
- Analyzed customer data to identify trends in the industry and develop new opportunities for growth.
- Oversaw pricing strategy across multiple channels, ensuring competitive prices while maximizing profit margins.
- Collaborated with marketing team on campaigns to drive brand awareness and lead generation activities.
- Provided guidance on product development initiatives that would improve customer experience or boost sales volume.
- Directed efforts related to negotiations of contracts with vendors, suppliers, distributors.
- Established policies and procedures for efficient operations of commercial department within organization.
- Designed training programs for sales personnel covering best practices in customer service, negotiation techniques.
Chief Executive Officer
Kuwait Agro Holding
Kuwait
12.2019 - 07.2023
- Established policies, procedures, and protocols to improve operational efficiency.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, suppliers, and partners.
- Oversaw all aspects of financial management, including budgeting and forecasting.
- Delivered speeches and attended industry conferences to promote company image and engage with customers.
- Eliminated company bottlenecks, reduced financial obstacles and addressed work constraints to promote overall growth.
- Optimized supply chain to reduce materials costs and improve distribution.
- Turned-around the company from loss to positive EBITDA in one quarter.
- Reduced Expenses by 18% in year 1.
- Created a Sales Incentive scheme reducing waste from 24% to 8%.
- Launched 2 own private labels and acquired 10 agencies in one year
- Created unique shop-in-shop concept that was inaugurated by the US Ambassador.
Chief Commercial Officer
The Sultan Center
Kuwait
07.2016 - 11.2019
- Created major successful themes (Black October, Anniversary…) that yielded exponential income.
- Over achieved Previous Year and Budget Sales, GP, and EBITDA metrics in ailing markets.
- Developed 60 Commercial SOP’s.
- Partnered with Daymon Worldwide to review Private Brands strategy.
- Improved Kuwait retail margin by 0.9% in the first month of taking over.
- Hired 20 fresh graduates and trained them to assumed leadership positions within the organization.
Director of International Buying
The Sultan Center
Kuwait
08.2011 - 06.2016
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members.
- Managed budgeting and financial planning processes for the organization.
- Established relationships with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms for materials or services.
- Served as a public spokesperson at industry events or conferences.
- Appraised inventory levels on frequent basis, ordering new merchandise to keep quantities well-stocked.
- Grew International Business by a compound rate of 15%/year for 5 years since 2011.
- Grew Private brands business by a compound rate of 11%/year for 5 years.
General Manager
The Sultan Center
Muscat
01.2010 - 07.2011
- Developed and implemented operational strategies to improve efficiency, reduce costs and maximize customer satisfaction.
- Managed all aspects of daily business operations including budgeting, staffing, scheduling, inventory control, customer service and sales.
- Monitored financial performance and identified areas for improvement in cost savings and revenue generation.
- Ensured compliance with local health department regulations regarding food safety standards.
- Developed marketing strategies designed to increase brand awareness within target markets.
- Enhanced gross margin by 0.95% in one year.·
- Decreased inventory from 14 to 10% of sales.
- Decreased expenses by 0.4%.
Division Merchandise Manager
The Sultan Center
Kuwait
04.2004 - 12.2009
- Developed and implemented merchandise strategies to increase sales.
- Attended Trade Shows across continents.
- Developed Commercial SOP's.
- Sourced thousands of products from all over the world.
- Cut middlemen and went straight to source, enhancing margin by 10% points.
- Grew foreign business by 20%.
- Led Commercial Teams in Jordan and Oman.
- Supported company turnaround in Jordan.
- Worked with Strategy & Co on Commercial development.
Sales Manager
Pharmasol
Lebanon
03.2001 - 03.2004
- .Started in Sales and was promoted to Sales Manager of Bauch & Lomb contact lenses, then Sunglasses and Optical glasses distributing 20 leading luxury optical brands of Safilo Group (Gucci, Christian Dior, Burberry, Yves Saint Lauren…).
Management Trainee
American Hospitality Academy
Florida, USA
06.2000 - 10.2000
- Conducted a fully integrated training program at a leading US based training academy specialized in developing and executing training programs for Hospitality veterans from all over the world.
Education
Masters in Business Administration (MBA) -
Lebanese American University (LAU)
02.2004
BS Degree in Hospitality Management -
Lebanese American University (LAU)
06.2001
Skills
- Brands Development
- International Sourcing
- Pricing Strategies
- Cost Reductions
- Revenue Growth
- Strategic Planning
- Stakeholder Relations
- Change Management
- Organizational Leadership
- Negotiation
- Controls systems enhancement
- Strategic Partnerships
Personal Information
- Number of Children: 2
- Date of Birth: 07/30/80
- Marital Status: Married
Off Note
- Attended 103 International Trade Fairs in USA, Brazil, Australia, Japan, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, UK, Germany, France, Holland, Italy, Brussels, Spain, Turkey, Dubai, Lebanon and Egypt.
- Webinar presenter in the US, 2011.
- Hosted Speaker in Fine Foods Show, Australia 2012.
- Hosted Speaker at Foodex, Japan 2016.
- Official spokesman of The Sultan Center from 2011 thru 2019.
- Certified Scuba Diver and Certified Paramotor Pilot.
Timeline
Chief Commercial Officer
Saudi Company for Hardware (Saco)
08.2023 - Current
Chief Executive Officer
Kuwait Agro Holding
12.2019 - 07.2023
Chief Commercial Officer
The Sultan Center
07.2016 - 11.2019
Director of International Buying
The Sultan Center
08.2011 - 06.2016
General Manager
The Sultan Center
01.2010 - 07.2011
Division Merchandise Manager
The Sultan Center
04.2004 - 12.2009
Sales Manager
Pharmasol
03.2001 - 03.2004
Management Trainee
American Hospitality Academy
06.2000 - 10.2000
Masters in Business Administration (MBA) -
Lebanese American University (LAU)
BS Degree in Hospitality Management -
Lebanese American University (LAU)
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