Joseph Challita Email and Phone Number

Led 4 departments (Warehousing & Logistics, Inventory & Cost Control, Costing & Menu Engineering, and Procurement) across Maison M Group (2 branches, a 500 m2 catering central kitchen, & Steakbar Sushi).• Implemented a system for weekly and monthly inventory control, achieving a 90% accuracy rate, aligning front & back costs on the system, minimizing stock discrepancies & optimizing stock levels.• Oversaw the creation of essential commercial documentation, including quotation and receiving forms, fostering a more structured and efficient system. • Spearheaded the transition from LBP to USD pricing post-crisis, ensuring business continuity, profitability, and financial stability for the supermarket. • Eliminated negative inventory items, streamlining stock management processes and enhancing efficiency. Reduced inventory waste by 73% (from 15% to 2.5-1.7%), improving cost control.• Reduced Food Cost from 55% to a range of 35% - 27% by reviewing kitchen variances, and identifying & rectifying recipe & quantity discrepancies for hundreds of items increasing profitability by 20%.• Monitored COGS percentage with the Finance team during P&L preparation, and reviewed negative profit margins per item per department to identify cost control opportunities and ensure financial accuracy.

• Collaborated with department heads to forecast revenues and expenditures, contributing to the development of accurate annual project budgets and monthly forecasts.• Implemented budgetary controls & cost-saving measures, resulting in a reduction in administrative costs.• Ensured compliance with financial regulations and standards, including NSSF, VAT, and Income Tax requirements, minimizing the risk of penalties.• Managed the procurement process, negotiating contracts with suppliers and enforcing cost-efficient purchasing practices.

Led High-Pressure Inventory Management with a team of 5 to complete a global inventory check for 26,000 SKUs within 72 hours, ensuring efficient transition & minimizing disruption.Developed and implemented daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly inventory count schedules, to maintain accuracy and minimize discrepancies across 26,000 SKUs in three branches.Secured agreements with 100+ suppliers, ensuring favorable terms & product availability.Conducted regular price surveys to assess the hypermarket's position against competitors and implement strategic price adjustments ensuring profitability and market competitiveness.Supervised & approved the waste disposal process in accordance with Ministry of Economy regulations.

• Ensured smooth operation of financial processes for a multinational retailer managing multiple international brands (Starbucks, H&M, etc.).• Implemented and enforced SOPs for cash handling, accounts payable/receivable, and general cashiering systems, minimizing errors and ensuring financial accuracy.• Supervised daily cash collection, monitored cash flow, and enforced collections, ensuring timely payments and financial stability.• Led repetitive cost-saving seminars, analyzed ongoing costs vs. forecasts, and implemented cost-saving measures to optimize profitability.• Prepared VAT reports, tax declarations (R10, R5, R6), and ensured timely submission of documents to the Ministry of Finance.