Mahmoud Saffideen

Seasoned and accomplished professional with 25+ years of experience leading all aspects of diverse operations, including sales, marketing, business development, HR, and financial activities across well-reputed organisations predominantly in Africa. Demonstrated expertise in exploring lucrative business opportunities and steering multiple initiatives from infancy to profitable business growth. Well-versed in establishing top-performance and winning teams to achieve organisational set objectives and missions within aggressive deadlines. Recognised for promoting positive governance and effective changes to enhance operational excellence. Dedicated to evaluating processes and making sound decisions in fast-paced environment without compromising schedules, budgets, and deadlines. Proven track record of success in highly competitive local and international markets, driving sales/marketing operations. Well-versed in translating and communicating key business priorities to support development and execution of tactical sales/marketing programmes. Articulate communicator building relationships with all levels of stakeholders. Multi-lingual in English, French, Arabic and 2 African dialects, Pidgeon English and Wollof. Dual national (Kenyan & British) with immense African experience and network.

Chief Executive Officer – Publishing, Packaging & Diaries/Notebooks, Ramco Printing, Nairobi, Kenya 2021 – Present
Provide strategic leadership directions and oversights to top management teams, including executives and subordinate managers for seamless execution of business operations. Oversee sales and marketing, production, operations, and HR activities for growth phases by re-designing end-to-end change management processes cycle. Devise and execute productivity and quality improvement initiatives related to incentive schemes within allocated departments. Organise material and relevant resource maximisation exercises to drive raw materials sourcing cost reduction.
● Yielded buy-in for assigned targets and amplified supply chain performance, applying annual operating plans.
● Maximised productivity and automation by implanting manufacturing cost reduction programs.
Managing Consultant, Gator Consulting Ltd, Nairobi, Kenya 2019 – Present
Formulate and apply effective strategies, plans, visions, and missions as per defined policies and procedures. Meet customers’ requirements to amplify revenue. Plan, alter, and establish organisation's culture by drafting and employing efficient HR policies. Re-designed business processes to decrease bureaucracy and become leaner and more efficient by restructuring company.
● Deployed refreshed quality management system for the entire organisation.
● Ensured operational efficiencies optimization by steering real-time internal audit protocols.
● Revamped decision-making process by extracting bifurcated P&L for the company.
Chief Executive Officer, Quatrix Ltd (a tech-logistics company), Nairobi, Kenya 2019 – 2021
Directed all aspects of company operations, available resources, and tech-logistics activities across Kenya, whilst serving as first point of communication among board of directors and operational management, taking full accountability for core corporate
decisions. Oversaw different aspects of sectors to ensure company remains ahead through innovation and execution in the transport and logistics landscape. Discussed current and future business activities with board by generating comprehensive reports, including budgets, strategies, performance progress, and evaluations. Delivered efficient support and guidance to cross-functional teams in creating customer base at B2B and B2C level. Fostered and retained long-term relationships with potential stakeholders to develop valuable linkages and efficiencies for customers and service providers.
● Uplifted business profitability and process productivity as well as slashed operational costs by admitting full P&L responsibility for technological and logistical tactics.
● Offered world-class services to stakeholders for attaining highest level of customer satisfaction and retention, whilst maintaining customer contact across marketplace.
● Identified and proposed individualised training to teams for uninterrupted performance improvement and accomplishment of desired vision and mission.
Chief Executive Officer, Godrej East Africa - Style Industries (makers of the Darling hair brand), Nairobi, Kenya 2005 – 2018
Led overall operational activities in close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to accomplish short- and long-term corporate objectives as well as expand business and revenue growth. Implemented informed decisions across major business operations, encompassing production, product development, packaging, investments, risk mitigation, talent acquisition, and market penetration. Converted Strategic Industries Ltd. into a winning Godrej corporate culture.
● Slashed $2M overheads per year in Kenya in collaboration with Bain and Company.
● Penetrated population centres with 5K+ residents through a rural marketing strategy.
● Augmented export market by travelling across more than 10 African countries to raise business revenue.
● Enhanced brand reputation as the Leading Innovative Hair Manufacturer within East Africa, launched at least five styles every month along with an all-time high of 100 styles in 2013 through top-notch collaboration with the innovation team.
● Established and executed four sub-brands with East Africa to provide products across the entire socio-economic market segments, resulting in strengthening product availability at all price points.

Master of Business Administration in General Management
University of Leicester – Leicester, UK
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
University of Florida – Gainesville, FL, USA