Anand Iyer
Dubai,UAE
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in commercial leadership, P&L management, and channel strategy. Demonstrated excellence in customer development, distributor management, and retail execution. Proven track record in brand management, revenue optimisation, and e-commerce strategy. Committed to driving business growth through innovative strategies and operational excellence.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Customer Marketing Head - Arabia
Lipton Teas & Infusions
Dubai
05.2024 - 01.2026
- Developed and deployed customised Category-Channel Strategy for defined markets.
- Defined and executed Trade Spends for business exceeding €150m.
- Drove Perfect Store programme through field teams across six markets with over 300 merchandisers.
- Created and implemented Execution Scorecards for sales force of over 150 members.
- Led commercial planning cycles and coordinated business reviews with Markets.
- Managed a team of seven direct reports, collaborating with functional leads.
- Collaborated with sales teams to align digital marketing strategies with business objectives.
Country Manager – Saudi Arabia
Lipton Teas & Infusions
Jeddah
10.2023 - 04.2024
- Executed strategy deployment across multiple channels within Kingdom.
- Built strong partnerships with local distributor leadership and teams.
- Led negotiations on trade terms, annual business plans, and Joint Business Plans.
- Executed CATMAN projects for Lipton in Panda and Othaim since 2014.
- Enhanced eCommerce execution in KSA by developing a Distributor-Customer-HQ model.
- Recruited, developed, and retained local talent to foster a high-performance culture.
- Voiced market insights within regional and global HQ during transition period.
- Achieved first year of growth in Saudi Arabia at 2% after Lipton's acquisition from Unilever.
Marketing Manager - Arabia
Lipton Teas & Infusions
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
07.2023 - 09.2023
- Executed annual marketing plans aligned with commercial priorities.
- Managed brand portfolio strategy, including pack and price architecture rationalisation.
- Leveraged consumer research and insights from Kantar/Nielsen to inform campaign development.
- Led Lipton relaunch planning and execution across six Ps, while ensuring zero business waste.
- Directed content creation, boosting organic traffic on digital platforms.
- Integrated digital marketing strategies into overall plans, optimised online presence.
Brand Manager – Gulf
Lipton Teas & Infusions
Dubai, UAE
07.2021 - 07.2023
- Owned planning & execution of integrated marketing campaigns.
- Executed branded Signboards across 150+ Cafeterias in UAE & Kuwait, driving 10% growth.
- Ran regular competitive analysis of business performance for senior leadership.
- Part of multiple commercial projects during the initial transition phase from Unilever.
- Contributed to GM improvements YoY through pricing & promo actions.
Category, Channel & Shopper Marketing Head – Home Care
Unilever
Dubai, UAE
01.2021 - 06.2021
- Senior commercial role in one of the biggest BU’s of Unilever managing a team of 4 reports.
- P&L responsibility to manage Trade Spends and Promotions across Arabia.
- Co-create category plans to optimize mix through NRM initiatives.
- Driving a sharp focus on pricing and promotions through planning & tracking.
- Led the planning & execution of JIF into the Toilet Cleaning segment.
Previous Roles
Unilever & Others
Dubai
05.2008 - 12.2020
- Category Lead – Skin | Apr 2019 – Dec 2020 | Dubai, UAE | Unilever
- Shopper Marketing Manager – Personal Care | Mar 2018 – Mar 2019 | Dubai, UAE | Unilever
- Sales Operations Manager – Oman | Mar 2016 – Feb 2018 | Muscat, Oman | Unilever
- Customer Marketing Executive – UAE | Mar 2013 – Feb 2016 | Dubai, UAE | Unilever
- Assistant Brand Manager | Apr 2011 – Jan 2013 | Dubai, UAE | Emami International
- Assistant Brand Manager | Oct 2010 – Mar 2011 | Sharjah, UAE | Bajaj Herbals
- Assistant Supervisor | May 2008 – Jul 2010 | Dubai, UAE | Righttrack Advertising
Education
Masters in Marketing - Strategic Marketing
University of Wollongong
Dubai 03.2014 - 12.2016
Bachelors in Commerce - Business
University of Mumbai
India 07.2005 - 03.2008
Skills
- Commercial leadership
- P&L management
- Channel strategy
- Customer development excellence
- Agency management
- Retail execution
- Brand management
- Revenue optimization
- E-Commerce strategy
Languages
English
Fluent
Hindi
Fluent
Arabic
Beginner
Affiliations
- Marathons
- Mountain Climbing & Hikes
- Sketching
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Customer Marketing Head - Arabia
Lipton Teas & Infusions
05.2024 - 01.2026
Country Manager – Saudi Arabia
Lipton Teas & Infusions
10.2023 - 04.2024
Marketing Manager - Arabia
Lipton Teas & Infusions
07.2023 - 09.2023
Brand Manager – Gulf
Lipton Teas & Infusions
07.2021 - 07.2023
Category, Channel & Shopper Marketing Head – Home Care
Unilever
01.2021 - 06.2021
Masters in Marketing - Strategic Marketing
University of Wollongong
03.2014 - 12.2016
Previous Roles
Unilever & Others
05.2008 - 12.2020
Bachelors in Commerce - Business
University of Mumbai
07.2005 - 03.2008