Nabeel Manna

Role Summary:

Strategic and results-driven supply chain leader responsible for driving demand forecasting, supply planning, and inventory management & optimization across multi-channel retail, e-commerce, and distribution networks. Spearheads end-to-end planning processes aligned with sales turnover AED 2 Billion, customer demand, and operational capacity to ensure optimal product availability and working capital efficiency. Skilled in leveraging advanced planning tools (SAP IBP, SAP, Excel-based models) and BI dashboards to enable data-driven decision-making. Adept at stakeholder alignment across commercial, finance, merchandising, and operations teams, while driving continuous improvement through automation, analytics, and S&OP process governance.

Leading Demand & Supply planners, Master data , Ecom operation, Inventory controllers, warehousing, Last Mile & Distribution Team

Direct Reports : 22 / 124

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead demand planning cycles across regions and categories, collaborating closely with sales, marketing, and buying teams to deliver accurate forecasts that reflect market trends, seasonality, and promotions.
• Lead supply planning and replenishment strategies, ensuring timely procurement and optimized inventory allocation to retail stores, Last mile, e-commerce hubs, and distribution centers.
• Govern the monthly S&OP process, aligning demand and supply with financial and operational plans, while identifying capacity risks, supply gaps, and mitigation actions.
• Monitor and improve KPIs such as forecast accuracy, fill rate, inventory turnover, aged stock %, and order fulfillment.
• Drive inventory optimization initiatives, including ABC classification, safety stock modeling, and slow/non-moving stock reduction strategies.
• Oversee master data integrity, lead time settings, and planning parameters in SAP/SAP IBP to ensure clean and efficient planning outputs.
• lead logistics, warehouse, and last mile teams to ensure operational readiness and timely stock availability across all channels.
• Enable visibility and performance tracking via dashboard development in Power BI, SAP reports, and Excel, delivering actionable insights to leadership.
• Support product lifecycle planning including NPI ramp-up, end-of-life transitions, and seasonal event preparedness.
• Partner with vendors and suppliers on demand commits, lead times, and delivery performance, ensuring alignment with supply plans and SLAs.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives to automate planning processes, reduce manual effort, and enhance responsiveness to market changes.
• Negotiated Contracts and SLAs: Successfully negotiated contracts with 3PLs, freight forwarders, and manpower companies, establishing SLAs that drive operational efficiency.
• Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Streamlined the management of warehousing, distribution, inventory, and customer service functions, implementing cost-effective measures to improve performance.

Company Overview: Al-Futtaim Retail is a core division of the Al-Futtaim Group, one of the most diversified and progressive privately held conglomerates in the Middle East

Key Responsibilities:

• Directed Supply chain, end-to-end logistics and last-mile operations across UAE, Bahrain, KSA, and Qatar, ensuring service excellence and cost optimization in a multi-channel environment.
• Streamlined warehouse, distribution, inventory, and customer service operations to enhance fulfillment efficiency and reduce lead times.
• Led warehouse capability enhancement projects, including space optimization, layout design, and process automation with 3PL partners.
• Governed 3PL and transport operations, driving SLA compliance, contract performance, and continuous improvement through structured reviews.
• Ensured cross-functional alignment across Buying, Merchandising, E-commerce, Finance, and Store Operations to support seamless supply chain execution.
• Resolved supplier and replenishment issues, ensuring availability through proactive vendor collaboration and procurement coordination.
• Managed customs clearance and regulatory compliance across the MENA region for retail and non-retail imports/exports.
• Designed and implemented logistics SOPs and critical paths for new store launches and market entries, ensuring operational readiness.
• Led cost reduction and lead time optimization initiatives, improving working capital efficiency and logistics agility.
• Developed e-commerce logistics infrastructure, integrating systems, workflows, and fulfillment strategies for digital retail expansion.
• Managed global sourcing and inbound logistics from the US, Europe, Far East, and local vendors, ensuring timely availability and compliance.
• Oversaw demand and supply planning using Min/Max logic, optimizing inventory levels across DCs and retail stores.
• Controlled logistics costs within budget through data-driven planning, performance tracking, and cost-containment strategies.
• Implemented a centralized home delivery model, enhancing delivery performance across online and offline sales channels. Enhanced ACE home delivery performance by improving routing, order consolidation, and delivery cycle times.
• Trained and supervised logistics team members to ensure consistent performance and adherence to company policies.
• Improved on-time delivery rate with proactive shipment tracking and coordination with carriers.

Company Overview: The GAC Group is committed to ensuring customer's needs for quality shipping, logistics and marine services. GAC Logistics network serves local, national, regional and international manufacturers, distributors and retailers by providing a comprehensive range of supply chain, warehousing and logistics solutions.

• Served as Key Account Manager for the largest beverage importer and retailer (African & Eastern) in the Middle East, overseeing end-to-end JPL logistics services and client satisfaction.
• Led a team of Customer Service Representatives and Team Leaders, ensuring consistent service delivery aligned with client SLAs and GAC’s operational standards.
• Managed stakeholder coordination across principals, shipping lines, insurers, surveyors, customs, and municipal authorities to ensure compliance and smooth shipment processing.
• Applied thorough knowledge of client SOPs, WMS functionality, and regulatory processes across customs and logistics to ensure operational efficiency.
• Delivered training and onboarding for logistics teams, while supporting HR functions such as interviews, resource planning, appraisals, and leave management.
• Coordinated with demand planners to align warehouse space planning with monthly forecasts and inventory flow.
• Monitored 3PL service levels, ensuring adherence to contractual KPIs and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversaw annual wall-to-wall stock counts, ensuring inventory accuracy and system reconciliation.
• Standardized administrative processes by implementing best practices to enhance consistency across operations.
• Maintained working knowledge of JAFZA customs policies, facilitating compliant inbound and outbound operations.
• Planned cost-effective stock transfers between duty-free and duty-paid zones, optimizing customs and tax strategies.
• Leveraged port incentives and optimized landed cost structures to improve product margin and supply efficiency.
• Proactively reduced expiry risks and stock obsolescence through continuous monitoring and corrective inventory actions.