Experienced FMCG professional with over 25 years of expertise in driving profitability, sales growth, and market expansion across diverse sectors. Currently serving as the Head of Commercial Operations at Sofan Trading, I lead strategic initiatives focused on value creation, operational excellence, and building strong, long-term relationships with key stakeholders. My experience spans P&L management, sales forecasting, brand additions ,distributor management, and developing impactful route-to-market strategies.Previously, I was the Head of Sales at RAMNIKLAL B KOTHARY & CO. LLC., where I managed sales operations for 37 brands, optimized inventory control, and restructured route-to-market strategies, achieving record-breaking sales and significant top-line growth. My background also includes a 9-year tenure at Unilever Oman, and another 7 years at Nestle Oman, where I held various leadership roles, driving market development, operational excellence, and modern trade capabilities, which have enabled me to develop a deep understanding of the market dynamics, consumer behavior, and trade practices in this industry.My core competencies include operational excellence, strategic business development, revenue growth, P&L management, and team leadership. I lead and mentor the sales, marketing, and operations teams, and manage the relationships with principals, distributors, key accounts, and trade partners. I have successfully implemented several initiatives to optimize the route to market, enhance the customer service, and increase the market share and net profits of the company. I also leverage my expertise in FMCG distribution and P&L management to identify and pursue new business opportunities and expand the portfolio of brands. I am passionate about delivering value to the customers and stakeholders, and driving the growth and development of the FMCG sector in Oman.
Sofan Trading
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Head Of Commercial OperationsSofan Trading Aug 2021 - PresentMuscat,OmanResponsible for Profitability Improvement via Value Creation / Expansion deployment in the Country. Focused on setting long, medium- and short-term strategic direction for the company to drive Operational excellence.Stakeholder of total Management, Sales Forecasting, Channel Management, Principal & Distributor Management, Key account management. Responsible for top-line growth and net profits of the company. Tasked with developing a strong route to market strategies with strong implementation, lead the sales organization in implementing the sales plans, review results vs. targets. Leading the management and building mutually beneficial, long term relationship with key customers and business partners.
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Head Of SalesRamniklal B Kothary & Co. Llc. Jan 2016 - Jul 2021Muscat, OmanOrchestrate effective sales strategies and lead sales teams for managing sales of 37 brands across multiple product categories. Develop sales funnel and category-specific trade plans, foster business relationships with key accounts and negotiate annual agreements with them, and monitor trade marketing spends and ROI. Also, formulate a distribution strategy in close coordination with business partners and attend international trade fairs/exhibitions to identify new brands for distribution. Key Achievements:✦ Improved top- and bottom-line through implementation of brand rationalisation, inventory control, fleet optimisation, manpower reduction, and other measures ✦ Also, grew top-line through introduction of new products across categories and increased business from modern trade channel ✦ Secured highest-ever sales for some brands in portfolio ✦ Drove efforts for implementation of strategic and operational changes including portfolio rationalisation, inventory control measures, recovery of bad and doubtful debts, and others for improving company's market share across categories. Also, restructured route-to-market to reduce operating costs✦ Modified bonus as well as sales incentive structures in annual agreements with business partners to improve efficiency -
Business Development ManagerUnilever 2006 - 2015Muscat, OmanLed and mentored teams, negotiated business development agreements and targets with customers, and drove market development agenda. Devised joint business development plans with large customers, monitored customers' credit limits, and improved customer service levels. Also, monitored current trends and competitors' activities. Key Achievements:✦ Success Path: Area Team Sales Lead – General Trade (2006–2008), Sales Supervisor – Modern Trade (2008–2010), Key Account Manager (2010–2012), Business Development Manager – Direct Sales (2012–2013), and Business Development Manager - Modern Trade (2013-2015) ✦ Implemented operational excellence initiatives such as pre- and post-OPSO (Optimum Sell-Out) evaluation, speed-to-market of new products, enhanced numeric distribution coverage, tapping white spaces, and others ✦ Accelerated modern trade capabilities through deployment of a customer-based sales structure ✦ Delivered Perfect Stores (stores where each brand was positioned as per its market share) - exceeded established target of store roll-outs -
Key Account ExecutiveNestlé 2003 - 2006Muscat, OmanManaged largest route for Nestle products, contributing 46% to modern trade. Analysed sales results and demand, expanded retail distribution, and implemented sales systems. Planned promotional activities, collected payments, and prepared weekly/monthly sales reports. Also, developed and delivered quarterly business review presentations to customers as well as leadership team of Nestle Oman. Key Achievements:✦ Instrumental in enabling company to maintain market leadership position in 6 categories and across several hundred SKUs ✦ Successfully managed the largest hypermarket chain in Oman and 14 supermarkets -
Key Accounts, Gt, Wholesale And Catering DivisionEnhance Group 1998 - 2002Muscat, OmanServiced GT and wholesales customers to grow volume sales, inspite of parallel imports. Also, introduced new products. Contracted shelf space for confectionary products, maintained visibility, and avoided out-of-stock situations at all times. Key Achievements:✦ Success Path: Van Sales Representative – Ice Cream Division (1998–1999), Van Sales Representative – Grocery and Confectionary Division (1999–2000), Sales Representative – Petrol Stations and Convenience Stores (2000–2001), and Key Accounts – Wholesale and Catering Division (2001–2002)
Duke Durham Skills
Duke Durham Education Details
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Bachelor Of Marketing Management -
Hotel Management
Frequently Asked Questions about Duke Durham
What company does Duke Durham work for?
Duke Durham works for Sofan Trading
What is Duke Durham's role at the current company?
Duke Durham's current role is Head of Commercial operations | Strategic Business Development | Sales Head | FMCG.
What schools did Duke Durham attend?
Duke Durham attended Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation - University, Merit Swiss Asian School Of Hotel Management.
What are some of Duke Durham's interests?
Duke Durham has interest in Camping, Music, Fishing.
What skills is Duke Durham known for?
Duke Durham has skills like Customer Service, Strategic Planning, Negotiation, Key Account Management, Team Management, Fmcg, Pricing, Sales Operations, Trade Marketing, Key Account Development, Leadership, Marketing Management.
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