John is an experienced international business developer, he had the opportunity to lived, studied and worked in the United States, Canada, Spain, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
With a BA in Business Management, an emphasis in Business Marketing and an MBA in International Marketing, John’s background spans across a variety of fields, namely Sales, Marketing, and Operations covering Supply Chain, FMCG, Travel Retail, Export / Import and General Trading.
John is extremely dynamic and determined to achieve and manage objectives, goals, strategies and future expansion and growth plans.
He is skilled in Negotiations, Business Planning, Analytical Skills, Strategic Planning, and Business Process Improvement.
He’s fluency in English, Arabic, French and Spanish facilitates communication with clients and colleagues alike.
Apart from his passion for travel, his respect for diverse cultures, his outgoing personality and his appreciation for history, John is big on sports. He likes to spend his free time horseback riding, playing soccer, squash, and skiing.
John tries to live by his favorite quote: “Try to leave the world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best”. (Badin Powell).
Education
Experience
Managing LTC categories targeting exclusively cruise ships worldwide, catering to the bars and
Duty Free stores. brands such as Moët & Hennessy, Jägermeister, Lindt, Ferrero Rocher.
• Implementing supplier strategies, promotions and marketing activities to improve market share.
• Analyzing data and insights to determine industry and consumer trends and assessing the potential for new products and services.
• Fostering trust relationships with vendors and clients to achieve better pricing and quality of services.
• Reviewing and renewing existing vendor contracts, setting monthly and annual goals and assessing past performance.
• Devising long-term development strategies for product categories.
• Placing appropriate orders to ensure product availability that meets consumer demands.
• Collaborating with buyers and merchandisers to expand product categories.
• Assuming responsibility of budget development and revenue.
Led company sales and marketing across the US East Coast.
• Conducted online market presence study, which impacted substantial reforms within the organization online marketing
and sales strategy.
• Negotiated contract with Key Account, which led to the introduction of SKUs in 2500 stores across the US.
• Advanced partnerships with existing and new reps and distribution companies across 14 states,
maintained a steady 17 % sales growth vs LY.
• Launched new product “Garden Chef” from preliminary research to product development and expansion plan,
set up sales and marketing strategy.
• Conducted sales training programs to sales teams, rep groups, and end users.
• Arranged regional sales financial objectives, forecasted requirements, prepared an annual budget, scheduled expenditures,
analyzed variances, initiated corrective actions.
• Implemented trade promotions by publishing, tracking, and evaluating trade spending.
• Made recommendations on product enhancements for improved sales potential.
• Represented the company and products at trade shows.
Led Key Accounts, Cash Van, and Merchandising teams across the UAE.
• Restructured Cash Van Sales team decreased budget spending by 12% and increased sales by 26% YTD.
• Mapped out and pinpointed all outlets across the UAE, readjusted routing call cycles according to geo location, improved delivery efficiency by 15%.
• Initiated metric study on Merchandiser efficiency and performance, reached clear and tangible data regarding merchandiser’s capabilities, we were able to reallocate 20 % of merchandisers. The study was implemented on a regional level.
• Developed alongside the Director of Training and Development an in-market assessment report considering employees.
essential KPIs and duties. Report was adopted regionally.
• Prepared monthly reports on project achievements, competition activities, sales and collection versus target while recommended tactical corrective actions where needed.
• Assisted, motivated and coached team to achieve company targets and provided proper on the spot training.
• Decided on promotions and set plans for implementation.
• Made sure that the company contracts and Planogram of shelf visibility are being properly implemented.
• Gathered customer requirements and presented the products to reach a sale.
• Maintained and developed relationships with existing customers in person, via telephone calls and emails.
• Arranged meetings with potential customers to prospect for new business.
• Negotiated agreement terms and closing sales deals.
• Collected and analyzed market and customer information.
• Represented the organization at trade exhibitions, events, and demonstrations.
• Negotiated on price and costs, delivery and specifications with clients.