Arsim Sopa
Director - Business Support and Stakeholder Management
Dubai
Summary
Experienced and Competent Change Champion, System & Process improvement Professional and Business Support Director. Diverse experience offering over 25 years of international experience in senior management roles in the global engineering, construction, and services sectors supporting the energy, petrochemicals, aluminum smelters, alumina refinery, government services, and civil infrastructure sectors. Passionate Professional and Change Agent with the drive and ability to define, measure, analyze, improve, and control complex business processes. A forward thinker, driven to find and develop unique opportunities to create value.
Personable and strategic thinker with passion for driving organizational success and fostering collaborative team environments. Possesses deep understanding of leadership principles and financial management, with strong skills in project oversight and strategic planning. Prepared to deliver impactful results through innovative solutions and effective team leadership.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Director, Business Support
Emirates Global Aluminium
01.2022 - Current
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Aligned departmental goals with overall company vision, ensuring cohesive progress towards shared objectives.
- Improved internal processes through thorough review, resulting in a reduction of wasted time and resources.
- Spearheaded cost-saving measures through in-depth budget analysis and identifying areas for improvement.
- Optimized organizational structures, leading to increased efficiency and better resource allocation.
- Developed and executed strategic initiatives for improved company growth and long-term success.
- Expedited decision-making process, compiling and presenting concise executive summaries.
- Improved stakeholder satisfaction by establishing regular feedback loop and addressing concerns proactively.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
Senior Manager - Project Management Office
Emirates Global Aluminium
01.2019 - 12.2021
- Company Overview: EGA an integrated global aluminium producer, with operations from mine to metal
- EGA is the World’s largest premium aluminium producer and the biggest industrial company in the UAE outside Oil & Gas
- EGA operates aluminium smelters in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, an aluminium Refinery in Abu Dhabi, and a bauxite mine and associated export facilities in the Republic of Guinea
- Establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve Quality Management System (QMS) for the Capital Projects in EGA incorporating all project management cross functions
- Managed and spearheaded the overall preparation for certification program of the Capital Project QMS to ISO 9001 standard
- Responsible for management and monitoring of all Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Management Systems in execution of multiple CAPEX projects for the Aluminium Smelters and Alumina Refinery - Capital expenditure & Sustaining Capital ~$300 million per annum
- Responsible for the overall Quality, Risk, Warranty & business processes
- Key highlights: Integrating risk-based thinking into all business and organizational process levels of Capital Projects
- Utilized data-driven insights to make informed decisions that resulted in higher returns on investments.
- Promoted a culture of continuous learning through regular workshops, seminars, and training sessions for staff.
- Spearheaded change management efforts for seamless adoption of new systems or processes among employees.
- Implemented innovative solutions to overcome challenges, leading to enhanced productivity levels.
- Managed large-scale projects and introduced new systems, tools, and processes to achieve challenging objectives.
- Managed budgets effectively, achieving financial objectives while maintaining strict control over expenditures.
- Balanced competing priorities efficiently while maintaining focus on critical tasks requiring immediate attention.
Manager QA/QC, Capital Projects
Emirates Global Aluminium
06.2015 - 01.2019
- Reported to PMO Director - Capital Projects
- Al Taweelah Alumina Refinery - $3.3 Billion
- ATA Refinery was the winner of the International Hamdan Bin Mohammed Award for 'Innovative Idea in Programme Management' in 2018 competing with 192 international organizations I was the nominated EGA Representative for preparation and application process
- Responsible as the Owner Representative for the overall Project Quality Assurance, Supplier Quality, Construction Quality for Al Taweelah Alumina Refinery during execution stage
- The refinery pre-feasibility started in 2015 and the refinery is operational since 1st quarter of 2019
Regional Director, IMS & Quality MENA region
SNC Lavalin International
05.2013 - 06.2015
- Company Overview: A Canadian company based in Montreal that provides engineering, procurement, and construction management services in various industries including mining and metallurgy, oil and gas, environment and water, infrastructure, and clean power
- SNC-Lavalin is the largest construction company by revenue in all of Canada
- Reported to Regional Sr
- Vice President (SVP) - SNC Lavalin Group – Middle East & Africa
- Custodian of the Integrated Management System for the regional office of the Company’s business sectors for the Middle East and Africa
- Accountable to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve Integrated Management System (IMS) encompassing all regional operations of different groups & business segments for all cross-functional teams: Mining & Metallurgy, Oil & Gas, Infrastructure, Environment and Water, and Power across Middle East and Africa
- Management of the certification process of the IMS to the international standard for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 31000, and OHSAS 18001
- Chairperson of the Regional Quality & Risk Committee, accountable for improvement of weaknesses, retention of strengths, capitalizing on opportunities and mitigating external threats
- Drive change through insights, strategies, and improvement initiatives across regional activities
- A Canadian company based in Montreal that provides engineering, procurement, and construction management services in various industries including mining and metallurgy, oil and gas, environment and water, infrastructure, and clean power
- SNC-Lavalin is the largest construction company by revenue in all of Canada
Project Quality Manager, EMAL Ph II
SNC Lavalin International
06.2011 - 05.2013
- Reported operationally to Project Director – EMAL Project
- Functionally to VP – Quality SNC Lavalin (Montreal, Canada)
- Responsible to establish the organizational structure for Quality Assurance, Supplier Quality & Construction Quality for the Project as EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management) Contractor
- Responsible to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an EPCM Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with the ISO 9001 requirements
Project Quality Manager, EMAL Ph I
SNC Lavalin International
08.2009 - 06.2011
- Reported operationally to Project Director – EMAL Project
- Functionally to VP – Quality SNC Lavalin (Montreal, Canada)
- Responsible to establish the organizational structure for Quality Assurance, Supplier Quality & Construction Quality for the entire Project as EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management) Contractor
- Responsible to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an EPCM Management System (QMS) in accordance with the ISO 9001 requirements
Regional Sr. Manager, LOGCAP III
Kellogg Brown & Root
08.2005 - 07.2009
- Company Overview: An American engineering, procurement, and construction company, formerly a subsidiary of Halliburton
- Reported to Principal Vice President - KBR Headquarters in Houston
- Responsible to establish the organizational structure for Quality Management as the Main Contractor for LOGCAP Contract – Middle East
- Responsible to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve Integrated Management System (IMS) in accordance with the ISO 9001 requirements and DoD Military Standards
- An American engineering, procurement, and construction company, formerly a subsidiary of Halliburton
Manager, Process Improvement & Change Champion
Halliburton
08.2003 - 07.2005
- Company Overview: An American multinational corporation
- One of the world's largest oil field service companies, it has operations in more than 70 countries
- Reported to Corporate VP for Quality
- Managed variety of complex process improvement projects using Sig Sigma tools & methodologies with the goal of enhancing multi-discipline critical processes with improved operational efficiency
- Coached, instructed, and developed process owners and improvement teams through use of LEAN Six Sigma tools, Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) methodology
- An American multinational corporation
- One of the world's largest oil field service companies, it has operations in more than 70 countries
Senior Supervisor, Business Processes & Quality
Brown & Root
07.1999 - 07.2003
- Responsible to support Project Management to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with the ISO 9001 requirements and DoD Military Standards
Education
Advanced RCA Team Leader -
TapRooT
California, U.S.ATQM & Lean & Six Sigma - undefined
Defense Acquisition University
Virginia, USA 01.2004 - 01.2007
Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt - undefined
Villanova University
Pennsylvania, U.S.ACQI IRCA Certified ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor - undefined
British Standard Institute
London, UKCertified ISO 31000:2015 Risk Management Implementer - undefined
British Standard Institute
London, UKBachelor of Arts - Management And Economics
Business College
Prishtina - Kosovo 04.2001 -
Skills
Problem-solving
Certification
Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – CLSSBB
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 09/07/78
- Nationality: Kosovo
- Marital Status: Married
Professional Associations
- 1999, ASQ American Society for Quality
- 2007, ISSSP International Society of Six Sigma Professionals
- 2010, CQI Chartered Quality Institute
- 2011, GAQM Global Association for Quality Management
- 2017, GARP Global Association for Risk Professionals
Timeline
Director, Business Support
Emirates Global Aluminium
01.2022 - Current
Senior Manager - Project Management Office
Emirates Global Aluminium
01.2019 - 12.2021
Manager QA/QC, Capital Projects
Emirates Global Aluminium
06.2015 - 01.2019
Regional Director, IMS & Quality MENA region
SNC Lavalin International
05.2013 - 06.2015
Project Quality Manager, EMAL Ph II
SNC Lavalin International
06.2011 - 05.2013
Project Quality Manager, EMAL Ph I
SNC Lavalin International
08.2009 - 06.2011
Regional Sr. Manager, LOGCAP III
Kellogg Brown & Root
08.2005 - 07.2009
TQM & Lean & Six Sigma - undefined
Defense Acquisition University
01.2004 - 01.2007
Manager, Process Improvement & Change Champion
Halliburton
08.2003 - 07.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Management And Economics
Business College
04.2001 -
Senior Supervisor, Business Processes & Quality
Brown & Root
07.1999 - 07.2003
Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt - undefined
Villanova University
CQI IRCA Certified ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor - undefined
British Standard Institute
Certified ISO 31000:2015 Risk Management Implementer - undefined
British Standard Institute
Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – CLSSBB
Certified Manager of Quality & Organizational Excellence
Certified CQI / IRCA ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor
Certified ISO 31000 Risk Management Implementer
Advanced RCA Team Leader -
TapRooT
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