Sami Alawfi
Digital Transformation Leader
Riyadh
Summary
Technology executive with a robust background in leading enterprise-wide IT initiatives and managing complex projects.
Results-driven digital transformation leader with significant experience in strategic IT management and digital transformation. Seasonal professional with exposure to various industries including retail, wealth management, banking services, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, energy, and technology organizations in Saudi Arabia, France, and the United States. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving impactful results, adaptable to changing business needs. Skilled in cybersecurity, enterprise architecture, and IT governance with proven track record in leading cross-functional teams.
Track record of building and leading high-performance teams to achieve transformative business outcomes.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
IT Director
Saudi Power Procurement Company (Principal Buyer)
12.2023 - Current
- When joining, information technology assets were part of Saudi Electricity (SEC). Lead the efforts to establish the company’s new IT landscape. Initiated and completed three strategic initiatives: digital discovery initiative to deliver a digital transformation roadmap, IT strategy and IT operating model initiative to deliver IT roadmap to mature IT capabilities, develop information architecture and IT & digital strategy; and data management initiative to have a data & analytics roadmap. Improved organization digital maturity standings via delivering quick wins such as major business process automation and introducing robots for repetitive tasks (digital employees). Introduced local Generative AI model (data and queries are preserved withing the organization) and connected it with available data sources. Enhanced digital workplace by introducing intranet solutions (i.e. employee portal) to engage employees via employee services, applications portal, and knowledge management functions. Introduced collaborative governance (involving key business stakeholders) around digital delivery and Generative AI use cases implementation. Lead IT resilience initiative to ensure business continuity and enable faster disaster recovery by taking a collaborative and iterative approach partnering with cybersecurity, business continuity and risk management departments.
IT Director
SAR (Saudi Arabia Railways)
02.2020 - 11.2023
- Provided guidance and vision on the emerging technologies, digital trends, and infrastructure advances to meet the goals for SAR’s mission and strategic objectives. Delivered a technology strategy and roadmap that offered growth and transformation. Successfully executed an M&A for Saudi Rail Organization (SRO). Initially, two main programs were executed; one to advance automation level across SAR and another to ensure that cybersecurity and controls are consistent, adequate, reasonable and effective to protect SAR. The two programs were an enterprise-wide Automation Program and cyber security program. The automation program was to achieve the following: Better utilization of the current systems. Higher efficiency and productivity of business processes. Better utilization of SAR talent. Cost-effectiveness of operations. Data-driven decision making. Enhanced governance and compliance with national and internal standards and regulations. One of the highlights of the automation Program is the breadth of its technology coverage. In addition to enhancements of the current system, the program has introduced 4 new technologies at SAR which will serve as the main enablers of SAR’s further digital transformation: Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Business Process Management (BPM), Enterprise Content Management (ECM), and internet of things (IoT). Revamped asset management and GIS technologies during the merge exercise with SRO. Completed the delivery of IT and Digital strategy for SAR IT with a 3-years roadmap. Set up the cyber security capability and established the cybersecurity function. Establishing data management function. Introducing a new data strategy. Launch the data management office along with related policies and operational procedures. Built a knowledgeable, competent, and trusted technology organization of 50 IT staff combining strong technical competencies with practical consulting and customer service skills. Successfully recruited more than 20 new IT staff and kept the employee turnover by less than 2% through a plan that provided for succession and continuity in the most critical IT management positions. Created a culture of transparency, collaboration, accountability, and commitment to excellence, including a “mission first” mentality across the IT team.
Executive Partner
Gartner Saudi Arabia
12.2017 - 10.2019
- Provides executive advisory services. Define and deliver innovative solutions by assessing member Mission Critical Priorities (MCPs) and developing a customized service plan to help the client achieve their MCPs. Participates in all phases of the member lifecycle: on-boarding, relationship management, delivery, and review. Conduct on-site briefings, including workshops, research analyst visits, roundtables, and webinars. The engagement with clients is across all IT major disciplines such as IT strategy, digital transformation, Innovation, EA, Information Security Program, Cyber Security, Cloud, AI, business continuity and DR, CX, data management, BI and advanced analytics, Data lakes and data warehouse, sourcing, governance, IT organization design, and cost optimization. Clients are in various industries such as public sector, utilities, retail, investments and financial services, chemical manufacturing, and real estate development.
Presales Manager
SAP KSA
07.2015 - 04.2017
- Managing a team of twelve pre-sales advisors covering all products across all industries. As part of the large sales virtual team, pre-sales engaged in assorted business activities from demand generation to deal qualification all the way to a superb delivery to achieve the target of winning the deal. Work with each team member and share constructive feedback. Manage team development and performance. Engage with customers and prospects through various junctures. Oversee dry-runs, demo, and RF
- Handling. Plan and execute demand generation activities. Member of the deal qualification board and country leadership team. Collaborate with other pre-sales managers across MENA on programs and initiatives. Align with sales managers and other peers for focused and sharp execution.
Technology Consulting Manager
Oracle Corp.
03.2013 - 06.2015
- Managing Core Technology Presales team across the country. Responsible for effectively engaging the team with sales account managers to achieve set targets. Participate in account planning and forecasting activities. Coordinate marketing events by proposing an agenda and managing the delivery. Lead business initiatives and foster collaboration. Effectively engages with customers for discovery and needs analysis. Supervise all pre-sales deliveries (Demo, POC, and RFP responses).
Technical Services (Ops) & IT Director
ABANA Enterprises Group
10.2011 - 02.2013
- Company Overview: ABANA is a leading Saudi based service company. It provides its services and products to banking and telecoms industries in addition to private/governmental sectors.
- Once onboard, I started an IT assessment exercise (i.e. SWOT analysis) combined with another assessment of the business challenges and how they can be addressed by proper application of technology. Findings were shared with senior management and an IT roadmap has been approved. The assessment spans three main areas: people, technology, and process (for both business and IT challenges). As of October 2011, I assumed the responsibility of technical service department (TSD) additionally. TSD is the services & operation arm of ABANA. At ABANA, TSD comprises of around 180 field service engineers distributed all over the kingdom utilizing 19 service centers. It also has both workshops and a call center. TSD conducts all needed corrective and preventive maintenance for our respected clients. TSD is also handling delivery, installations, and pullout activities for all products in ABANA’s portfolio.
Chief Information Officer
Alnahdi Medical Company (NMC)
10.2009 - 10.2010
- Company Overview: NMC is the largest pharmacy-retailer in MENA. It has over 480 pharmacies distributed over the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- NMC is going through major transformation that touches all core business functions. IT is a key enabler for business. The IT maturity level was not up to business expectations. Joined as CIO. Started by having a proper risk assessment and awareness to senior management to build a culture that discusses and address risks openly. Once the management buy-in is obtained, I started by fixing the foundation via setting a clear goal of “building NMC core business processes on a simplified, standardized base of infrastructure and applications”. The plan has three main tracks i.e. infrastructure, business applications, and IT maturity (governance and capabilities). The infrastructure track has been completed where new data centers were built as tier 4 providing 99.995% availability. Built a secure, reliable, standardized infrastructure to host NMC’s applications. Successfully implemented a single enterprise-wide ERP (financials, HR, and Supply chain). Developed applications roadmap for the next three years with sunset plan for legacy applications to mitigate potential risks. Enable business growth and performance through improving sales channels and enabling supply chain visibility from the warehouse to the pharmacy. Developed a new IT culture that is built around teamwork, governance, risk management, service delivery, and efficiency. Reorganize the IT department to serve enabling business transformation. Set department vision, mission, and values in accordance with corporate ones. Engage IT staff to achieve a high performing IT organization.
Vice President IT
Saudi Economic & Development Co. (SEDCO)
03.2002 - 11.2009
- Company Overview: SEDCO has diversified businesses (financial investments, real estate investments, and direct investments). Corporate group provide shared services such as finance, legal, and IT to name a few.
- When Joined SEDCO as “IT Infrastructure Manager”, I started by planning to build a new data center to centrally provide all necessary services to all groups. I was appointed later (2006) as IT VP to manage the IT organization and to pursue a shard IT vision and to build credibility with business peers at various groups and business units through solid delivery. Helped other sister companies to address their information and technology needs to have a competitive advantage. Member of IT steering committee and the executive committee. As member of the holding company, I was involved in addressing the technology issues as well as maturing the IT function within the following business verticals Wealth management, asset/investment management, Real Estate, and Retail. My last achievement was setting up the IT requirements of SEDCO Capital (infrastructure, communication, and business applications) using the base shared service model in a cost-effective approach. Developed IT strategies and plans in coordination with business units’ heads. Strengthening IT resources competencies and ensuring continuity through cross functional assignments. Driven to building business smarts (people) in IT where the “business performance” is the key driver and not the technology itself.
Senior DBA
Wacker Siltronic Corp.
12.1998 - 12.2001
- Wacker has 38 databases (Oracle’s Server, DBMS and Rdb) running on various boxes such as HP 9000, Compaq VAX, and Compaq Alpha servers in a distributed environment connected to remote databases in Germany (HQ) and Singapore which had some other non-relational databases (DBMS). I worked as DBA lead for the DBA group. I managed all of the 24X7 production databases as well as all testing and development databases. The two largest production databases were 100+ GB in size. Activities include implementing standard operational procedures (SOPs) in various technical areas, Oracle installation and upgrade, monitoring and administrating the database, Planning and testing the backup and recovery procedures, Server and database performance tuning, and DBA mentor. I am a member of the technical infrastructure team for the e-commerce pilot project with Intel. I was the DBA responsible in two of the largest strategic projects for the company to integrate the ERP system (SAP) into the existing IS landscape.
Software Consultant
RCG Information Technology Inc.
03.1998 - 11.1998
- Assisting clients of RCG in several locations in the US for their IT needs. Worked with RCG clients in New Jersey, New York, and Houston. Activities involved database planning, managing Y2K projects. Databases range from mid to large databases. Industries span over banking and logistics.
Software Engineer
Thomson-CSF AIRSYS ATM
06.1996 - 02.1998
- Working with an International team to develop an Air Traffic Control (ATC) system. The system is developed using UNIX as an operating system, UBSS (a software layer providing the real time needed functionality, Ada and C as programming languages on Alpha servers connected to External devices managing external interfaces including radars and other appropriate international networks. Worked in system integration team. My duties involved external interfaces (Radar data reception and interpretation), shell programming, System level functional testing and validation, C programming, System installation, Servers preparation including building LANs, UNIX installation, and general configurations.
Education
B.Sc. degree - Computer Science
College of Computer And Information Sciences, KSU
01.1993
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- IT strategy and Digital tactical plans
- Design-led thinking
- IT operating model for digital
- Emerging technology adoption
- Digital transformation road-mapping
- Change Management
- Business architecture management
- Agile methods & processes
- People management & development
- IT governance
- Data analytics
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Arabic
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Certification
CIO Academy by Oxford/Gartner” at Saïd Business School, Oxford University, UK 2006
Strategic Decision Making for Leaders - INSEAD May 2022
Leading Digital Transformation and Innovation - INSEAD June 2023
Leading Successful Change Programme, INSEAD October 2024
Timeline
IT Director
Saudi Power Procurement Company (Principal Buyer)
12.2023 - Current
IT Director
SAR (Saudi Arabia Railways)
02.2020 - 11.2023
Executive Partner
Gartner Saudi Arabia
12.2017 - 10.2019
Presales Manager
SAP KSA
07.2015 - 04.2017
Technology Consulting Manager
Oracle Corp.
03.2013 - 06.2015
Technical Services (Ops) & IT Director
ABANA Enterprises Group
10.2011 - 02.2013
Chief Information Officer
Alnahdi Medical Company (NMC)
10.2009 - 10.2010
Vice President IT
Saudi Economic & Development Co. (SEDCO)
03.2002 - 11.2009
Senior DBA
Wacker Siltronic Corp.
12.1998 - 12.2001
Software Consultant
RCG Information Technology Inc.
03.1998 - 11.1998
Software Engineer
Thomson-CSF AIRSYS ATM
06.1996 - 02.1998
B.Sc. degree - Computer Science
College of Computer And Information Sciences, KSU
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