Karan Yadav
General Manager
Nairobi
Summary
Dynamic Leader with Proven Track Record of Driving Revenue Growth and Business Expansion. Adaptive and deadline-oriented consistently executing and completing projects in high-stress environments.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
General Manager
Guala Closures East Africa
Nairobi, 30
04.2021 - Current
- Responsible for leading the business, formulation of strategy and management of operations to improve business profitability and capture current market opportunities in our sector
- Managing budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations
- Steering year-on-year business growth at an average EBITDA of 26%
- Implemented operational and commercial strategies thus effectively building customer loyalty
- Established comprehensive employee training programs to develop skills, improve productivity, and maintain compliance with industry regulations
- Directed comprehensive sales efforts to exceed revenue targets
- Consistently while maintaining customer satisfaction levels thus attaining 57% market share
- Implemented effective cost-saving measures to reduce overhead expenses without compromising quality or service
- Analyzed market trends/data to identify potential opportunities for business growth within existing or emerging markets successfully
- Increased overall company efficiency by forging high performing teams and promoting critical thinking.
Chief Commercial Officer
Alpha Group (Kenya)
Nairobi, 30
09.2017 - 04.2021
- Established its project management division and executed onshore & offshore civil construction projects valued at US$50M, including construction of a 310 MW wind farm, Fuel offloading jetties and marine offloading Facilities
- Led cross-functional teams to successfully execute high-impact business development projects
- Boosted sales revenue by implementing strategic marketing initiatives and cultivating strong client relationships thus adding another USD 40 million in pipeline
- Collaborated with senior management to improve overall customer experience and increase profitability
- Coordinated closely with finance teams to develop budgets aligned with strategic goals and revenue targets
- Drove sustainable growth by identifying opportunities for expansion and implementing strategic plans to capitalize on them
- Crafted compelling value propositions for products and services, capturing new customers in competitive markets
- Achieved Group-wide alignment on commercial objectives through effective communication of goals across all departments.
Chief Commercial Officer
Southern Engineering (part of the Alpha Group)
Nairobi, 30
08.2014 - 08.2017
- Played a pivotal role in increasing revenue by 49% for FY 2015-16
- Secured Southern Engineering's first camp supply and installation contract with UN in Somalia valued at $US3.2M
- Recruited, mentored, and supported high-performing members of sales and marketing teams
- Optimized pricing strategies for maximum profitability while maintaining customer loyalty and satisfaction levels
- Championed customer-centric culture thus enhancing overall customer satisfaction levels
- Synthesized company and competitor performance data to discover untapped markets
- Fostered culture of continuous improvement and critical thinking within its commercial division thus encouraging innovative thinking and embracing change for sustainable growth.
Director of Business Development
Kengas Group
Nairobi, 30
04.2012 - 07.2014
- Established new highly profitable business unit that generated consistent revenue by providing support services to the resources sector (Mining/Oil and Gas) such as Logistics, generators, materials handling equipment and Fuel, Oil and Lubricants supply
- Identified and pursued valuable business opportunities to generate new company revenue and improve bottom line profit
- Negotiated, prepared, and executed contracts with clients.
Supply Chain Manager
Toll Remote Logistics (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Nairobi, 30
11.2008 - 02.2012
- Maintained supply chain passing through 7 countries via Air, Lakes and Land
- Project mobilized in extremely challenging conditions such as poor infrastructure and armed militias
- Collaborated with internal teams to meet demand and supply requirements, ensuring inventory targets and service consistency
- Built supplier relationships to mitigate risk and establish effective purchasing arrangements with indirect and logistics customers
- Established inventory targets, stock level, and risk mitigation targets and managed flexibility strategy to optimize inventory
- Optimized warehouse operations, resulting in improved order fulfillment rates and reduced order processing time
- Monitored and tracked supplier performance to enforce adherence to quality standards and established timelines.
Captain
Indian Army
New Delhi, New Delhi
11.2001 - 03.2008
- Included roles as Instructor and Company Commander in high stress, hostile environments.
Education
Diploma in Business Administration - Business Administration
04.2008 - 09.2008
Bachelors in computer applications - Computer Software And Media Applications
04.1998 - 04.2001
Skills
Forging and leading high performing teams that consistently deliver superior results under demanding circumstancesundefined
Certification
Leadership Principles from Harvard Business School
Timeline
General Manager - Guala Closures East Africa
04.2021 - Current
Chief Commercial Officer - Alpha Group (Kenya)
09.2017 - 04.2021
Chief Commercial Officer - Southern Engineering (part of the Alpha Group)
08.2014 - 08.2017
Director of Business Development - Kengas Group
04.2012 - 07.2014
Supply Chain Manager - Toll Remote Logistics (Democratic Republic of Congo)
11.2008 - 02.2012
Management Development Institute - Gurgaon - Diploma in Business Administration, Business Administration
04.2008 - 09.2008
Captain - Indian Army
11.2001 - 03.2008
Punjabi University - Patiala - Bachelors in computer applications, Computer Software And Media Applications
04.1998 - 04.2001
Professional Development
Diploma in Leadership Principles, Harvard Business School Online
Selected Career Highlights
- Resolving Industrial Relations Issues, After taking over as Logistics Manager at Toll Remote Logistics in East Timor during protracted industrial action, resolved the issue through open communication and sensitive mediation which revealed the underlying cause of the problem. This enabled the fundamental requirements of the workforce to be met with no disruptions to a strategically important contract with no further issues raised by staff for the remainder of the contract.
- Increased Revenue through a Re-Structure & Quality Compliance, As Director of Business Development for the Kengas Group, enabled the business to secure local and international contracts leading to a 100% increase in revenue over two years. Achieved following a comprehensive overhaul of the company’s structure and achieving ISO 9001 compliance.
- Positioning the Company for Continuous Growth, As Group Chief Commercial Officer for the Alpha Group, have positioned the company on the path to becoming one of the largest EPC Company in East Africa by establishing its Project Management Division. This ensures a rigorous and systematic approach to projects and has delivered an additional US$50M in revenue to the Group during the past two years, with a further US$40M in the pipeline.
Awards
- Medal of Solidarity from H.E. The President of East Timor, 2011
- Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Card - 2007
Cycling, Trekking and Photography
I love to cycle over the weekends mainly off roading with a group of friends covering 40 to 70 kms at a stretch. I love the sense of accomplishment and wind in the face
Love to go on small day treks but in my 20's I attempted 3 seven thousand meter peaks in India and summited one which Mt. Nun in the Himalayas standing at 7140 meters. I have climbed Kilimanjaro in 2018 and Mount Kenya in 2019 as well
Africa is a a landscape photographers paradise, I lovwe to visit the Masai mara or other game reserves in Kenya and spend a lot of time capturing the majestic landscapes and animals in the wild. Helps take my mind away from the city life and work
Professional Highlights
- Resolving Industrial Relations Issues, after taking over as Logistics Manager at Toll Remote Logistics in East Timor during protracted industrial action, resolved the issue through open communication and sensitive mediation which revealed the underlying cause of the problem. This enabled the fundamental requirements of the workforce to be met with no disruptions to a strategically important contract with no further issues raised by staff for the remainder of the contract.
- Increased Revenue through a Re-Structure & Quality Compliance, As Director of Business Development for the Kengas Group, enabled the business to secure local and international contracts leading to a 100% increase in revenue over two years. Achieved following a comprehensive overhaul of the company's structure and achieving ISO 9001 compliance.
- Positioning the Company for Continuous Growth, As Group Chief Commercial Officer for the Alpha Group, positioned the Group on the path to becoming one of the largest EPC Company in East Africa by establishing its Project Management Division. This ensured a rigorous and systematic approach to projects and delivered an additional US$50 M in revenue to the during the past two years, with a further US$40 M in the pipeline.
Professional Development
Diploma in Leadership Principles, Harvard Business School Online
Awards
- Medal of Solidarity from H.E. The President of East Timor, 2011
- Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Card - 2007
Cycling, Trekking and Photography
I love to cycle over the weekends mainly off roading with a group of friends covering 40 to 70 kms at a stretch. I love the sense of accomplishment and endurance it develops.
Love to go on small day treks. I have attempted 3 seven-thousand-meter peaks in India and summited Mt. Nun in the Himalayas standing at 7140 meters. I have climbed Kilimanjaro in 2018 and Mount Kenya in 2019 as well.
Africa is a landscape photographers paradise; I love to visit the Masai mara or other game reserves in Kenya and spend a lot of time capturing the majestic landscapes and animals in the wild. Helps take my mind away from the city life and work.
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