Ross Whiting Email & Phone Number

Burlington, On, Ca

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Zimbabwe

Inclusive Poultry Value Chain Development is an European Union funded Zimbabwean Agricultural Growth Programme aimed at improving the competitiveness of the Zimbabwean Poultry Value Chain by supporting small to medium producers (SMPS) improve profitability through the development and implementation of strategies designed to reduce productions costs, improve access to finance as well as secure markets. The overall objective of the project is the enhancement of SMP's performance, and thus contributions, towards an improved and inclusive poultry value chain in Zimbabwe. As BDA in the project, my key role is to identify and/or develop practical, needs based strategies in response to challenges or opportunities presented as well as facilitate the necessary linkages between SMPs and other value chain actors to ensure effective and sustainable implementation.• Focal person for SAT at consortium level, driving SAT objectives and aligning them with Project vision.• Spearheaded Project’s B2B linkages for SMPs with private sector to develop sustainable VCD solutions• Concept design and proposals for identified Poultry Centric Mobile Application as well as the Poultry Information Management System to collect, aggregate and report on industry statistics and data.• Develop and execute Detailed Implementation Plans (DIPs), with budgets, for SAT activities in the project and co-ordinate with Project Lead and other partners on DIPs for their respective activities.

Harare

Profeeds is the leading poultry stock-feeds manufacturer and retailer in Zimbabwe. Established in 2009, Profeeds growth is attributed to its focus on providing a total poultry solution (chicks, feed, equipment, vets and training) to small scale farmers through its retail chain of Centres (35+) nationwide and serving over 10k small-scale farmers on a monthly basis. Profeeds has an annual turnover of USD 80M with approximately 50% of the turnover being achieved through the retail customer base and the other 50% through commercial sales. As Head of Retail I was responsible for the overall performance of the retail chain a role that included:• Management of day to day activities such as working with other department heads and through the retail’s 5 regional managers overseeing over 150 staff complement. • Design and implementation of business strategies, with accompanying budgets and targets, to improve business unit performance and alignment to the overall business objectives and vision.• B2C and B2B interactions and collaborations with other senior management towards common goals and leadership of team members under the retail department. • Stakeholder engagements including reporting to the C.E.O, C.F.O., as well as the Board of Directors on performance providing analysis, citing challenges and presenting solutions.Key Achievements1. Migrated from outdated Retail POS system to a fully integrated accounting and ERP system (OpenBravo) to improve retail operations2. Commenced the implementation of demand planning software (Frepple) reducing stock outs3. Diversified product range to mitigate declining macro-economic performance resulting in a 20% increase in GP4. Identified cost rationalisation opportunities resulting in 10% reduction in overall costs of retail operations. 5. Established regional management teams as well as Customer Care Call Centre to improve B2C engagement and response times on technical call outs.

Harare

Acumen Africa is a business consultancy firm in Zimbabwe that provides business consultancy services for Zimbabwe and the region.The roles held at Acumen Africa included Business Analyst and Consultant, Property Manager and Projects manager.Analyst -The role entailed identifying the requirements of clients, both established and start ups, and providing business solutions & recommendations to meet those requirements. Activities under this role included company and industry analysis, financial modelling and business proposal development.Property Manager – This role entailed management of a small portfolio of commercials properties located in the Central Business District. The duties and responsibilities of which included tenant management, property maintenance and management of portfolio finances.Project Manager – The responsibilities of this role included ensuring deliverables of a particular project were met in the most efficient, timeously and cost effective manner. Duties of the role included management of finances and resources for each of the projects worked.Projects: La Rochelle Centre (www.larochellecentre.com ) – Held the position of Project Manager in the resuscitation of 40 hectare estate located in Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe.OMYA: Business Consultancy for a European based company looking for footprint in Southern Africa for their Agricultural products.La Rochelle Organics: Business Planning and Consultancy for Organic Herbs and Spices Production in Zimbabwe for export to the European Market. Key Activities includedBusiness and Strategic analysis and advisory through financial models and market research.Development and Project ManagementOperational Management – Setup of operational, sales & marketing, and financial systems.Reporting and Advising – Production and presentation of reports used help guide operational and development strategies on both the development projects and operations.

Zimbabwe

During the establishment of the La Rochelle Organics business I provided research into opportunities for Organic production with in Zimbabwe through engagements with the European based company, Martin Bauer (https://www.martin-bauer-group.com/en/), to understand demand side, as well as research into production potential within Zimbabwe for supply of required production.This information was utilised to develop a full business and investment proposal along with financial and operational models and culminated in backward integration investments by Martin Bauer Group into production operations into Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe

La Rochelle Centre (www.larochellecentre.com) is a National Trust of Zimbabwe heritage site. For this project I participated in research into potential opportunities for sustainable business models for the property. This research culminated in the development of business proposals, with both financial and operational models, for a long term management contract made out to Acumen Africa Consulting. Part of the proposal was to link the boutique hotel to Organic Herb and Spice production for export to the European market for both food and pharmaceutical (scents) use – La Rochelle Organics.Once the Management contract had been awarded, I oversaw the critical repairs, maintenance and renovations of the property. I also designed and implemented the necessary business systems and work flows including the bookings, procurement, human resource and operational structures for smooth business operations.

Provided market analysis to introduce an agricultural lime product to Southern African countries of Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. This included meetings with potential customers and distributors in each of the above countries as well as facilitation of trials. Gathering information of licensing and import requirements as well as price analysis.

Harare

As an Analyst in the International Banking and Trade Finance Department I was required to meet, assess and present potential client projects to the Credit committee in the Bank. Throughout my time at the bank I learnt valuable skills in assessing company, industry and economy financial status as well as bespoke banking instruments, basic commodities and equities trading. Presentations to the credit committee furthered presentation and discussion skills with a financial focus.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Honours Economics

Honours Graduate in Economics and undergrade in Law and Economics.

Bachelor'S Degree In Ecnomics With Honours, Economics

A Level's in Geography, History and Economics. 1st team Waterpolo and 2nd team rugby captain. House prefect.