Business Systems Manager

Responsibilities

After filling the position of Business Systems Manager on a part-time basis for two years, I moved full time into the role in September 2011. I was responsible the maintenance, integration and development of the various systems used throughout the business, incorporating the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (supply chain, inventory, production, maintenance and accounting systems), QA system, HR, intranet and web sites and various paper processes and systems.

   Highlights

• Initiating and managing the clean up of over 14,000 spare parts in the inventory database; implementing a bar-coded inventory system and developing improved inventory management procedures. Following the Lean principle of reducing waste, this project added significant value by transforming the inventory system into a more productive asset, reducing inventory overhead, streamlining preventative maintenance processes and producing more accurate cost and inventory reporting.
• Interfacing the manufacturing, sales, inventory and accounting systems to reduce manual data entry which resulted in more efficient and accurate financial and production reporting.
• Replacing centralized accounting functions with local processing to eliminate manual data entry, reduce the data error rate, eliminate duplicated tasks and reporting across the company, and significantly reducing accounting overhead costs.
• Developing and implementing a cloud based intranet and email system. IT systems expenditure was reduced by over 50% as a result of the successful migration.
  
• Developed an efficient online systems training and support team along with administration procedures and user documentation.
  

General Manager - Western Iraq

Responsibilities

Responsible for the oversight of a large bottled water manufacturing and distribution facility, servicing foreign and Iraqi government agencies, as well as direct store customers. The high speed production lines were comprised of PET injection/blow molders, water purification, bottling and packaging equipment.

Responsibilities included:

• With support from the US-based sales and marketing department, development and implementation of sales and marketing strategies for government and direct store customers throughout the region.
• Ongoing liaison with US and Iraqi military and Iraqi government departments in relation to sales, logistics, security, licensing, compliance and contract issues.
• Ensuring customer service levels are met, or exceeded.
• Ensuring compliance with all GMP, HACCP, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements as well as local and US food safety requirements.
• Overseeing the management of all financial aspects of the business in conjunction with staff accountants and the US-based Treasury staff.
• Providing daily, weekly and monthly financial and production reports to the company and the US Government
• Designing, conducting and documenting regular training and development reviews for all staff.
• Overseeing payroll, recruitment and human resource functions for the operation.
• In association with the legal department, managing contracting and compliance issues related to the business.
• Overseeing the purchase, supply and inventorying of food, consumables, raw materials and spare parts.
• Ensuring compliance with approved storage and handling procedures for all raw materials and chemicals.
• Oversight of over 100 inward and outward truck movements per day.
  

Having a keen interest in the development of business systems, in August 2009 I was given responsibility for the management and strategic development the company’s business systems in Iraq.

Construction Site Manager - Southern Iraq

Responsibilities

Contracted to project manage the construction and commissioning of a water purification and bottling facility at Tallil Air Force Base in southern Iraq. The 5000 m2 building and associated equipment were commissioned on schedule, ahead of budget and with no injuries to staff or contractors.

Video of the construction can be viewed here.