Karim Sunderji

• Developed 9 new product lines along with product specifications.
• Review product designs and provide recommendations to management.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
• Possess strong leadership, decision-making, research, analytical, and attention to detail skills.
• Contribute to strategic planning and creative development for organizational growth.
• Ensure products align with overall company strategy.
• Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
• Proved successful working within tight deadlines and an fast-paced environment.

• Consulted for the use, importation, distribution, and market strategy for bio stimulants, bio pesticides, bio insecticides, and soil conditions in the Kenyan market.
• Study and Business plan for Downstream processing, viability, and cost structure analysis needed, including sourcing of raw materials and establishment of viable relations.
• Marketing and strategic plan layout needed, including warehousing, distribution plan, and network establishment with a route-to-market initiative focused on clean eating.
• Organically grown onions, beans, peas, corn, and chilies
• Set up an out-grower program for potatoes (Markie's)
• Set up several kitchen gardens with an emphasis on organic growing.
• Production analysis needed, including cost structures and deliverable timeline.

• Conducted extensive market research and spearheaded product innovation
• Secured listings with retail supermarkets, negotiated pricing and delivery, and oversaw daily management, production, warehousing, and distribution planning to ensure timely delivery and no stockouts
• Implemented just-in-time RM purchasing for optimum product quality and tight inventory control, and established good working relations with key suppliers
• Set up HACCP food safety program and implemented procedures and policies for the company and team
• Managed the first hot food deli at a leading supermarket chain in Kenya
• Key achievements: Designed and set up plant production processes and food safety systems, facilitated plant SOP systems, and achieved 24x production and sales growth within 8 months

• Engineered new products and expanded into new markets to increase market share and monthly performance.

• Entered the Ugandan market to improve turnover and market share regionally by almost 15%.

• Reduced production costs through timely ordering of raw materials and tight production scheduling to reduce port damage and storage costs.

• Improved delivery lead time to distributors and customers to increase distributor loyalty, presence within the market, and sales.

Key Achievements:

• Facilitated new product development and market expansion. Attained cost reduction, planning, and production and warehousing, executed sales and distributor management to increase footprint and sales.

• Managed procurement activities for local and international suppliers, resulting in a annual saving of approximately USD 250,000 on glass jars alone.
• Planned yearly budgeting of purchasing functions, negotiated costs and contracts for raw material suppliers, ensuring timely supply and delivery.
  Implemented inventory systems and a plan for raw materials to avoid overstocking or out of stock items, liaised with production and stores department.
• Maintained strong relations with finance departments and suppliers.
  Spearheaded Garden Choice, a subsidiary brand, setting up and implementing a new frozen line of vegetables for local and export markets.
• Conducted research and purchased machines to improve processing yield, reduce labor costs, and improve profitability.
  Planned and set up budgeting functions to ensure timely supply of raw materials and customer orders.
• Managed key stakeholders, including farmers and the logistics team, to ensure timely harvesting and delivery to the factory for processing and ensured scheduling, staffing and packaging material.
• Achievements include spearheading business development, project management, and product innovation, as well as reducing the purchasing cost of glass jars, implementing optimal inventory systems and increasing production efficiency.
  
  
  
  

Strategic Business Operations Manager at Pine Caterers, Nakuru, Kenya from August 2011 to March 2013.

• Reduced Daily Operational Costs by approximately 18.5% increasing efficiency and streamlined production processes. Oversaw all management functions, including purchasing, inventory control, payroll, daily banking, payment to suppliers, and a complete evaluation of the company's accounts, hence monitoring performance.

Housing and Travel Officer at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya from March 2010 to July 2011.

• Coordinated hotel room reservations with AKDN accredited hotels for visiting guests and delegates of AKUHN, including the board of trustees. Managed 8 AKUH serviced apartments with 23 double rooms, overseeing housekeeping, payment of monthly bills and general maintenance and upkeep for visiting guests/delegates.

Graduate Management Trainee at Nairobi Serena Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya from June to August 2007.

• Acquired training in Finance, Operations, Human Resources, Security, Housekeeping, Laundry, Front Office, Restaurants, and Bars.

Telephone Sales Representative (Part Time) at Intel Services, St Catharine's, Ontario, Canada from September to December 2007.

• Handled outbound sales calls for EarthLink and Time Warner, USA for the company's high-speed internet and voice over internet protocol packages.

House- Keeping Supervisor at Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre Don Valley Parkway, Toronto, Canada), summers of 2005/6.

• Successfully managed a 15-member House-Keeping team with 250 rooms, conducted frequent room inspections, and facilitated a complete inventory count of the hotel's inventory. Planned, executed, and managed timely required international standards.