Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Websites
Personal Information
Custom
Languages
Timeline
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Shatheeshkhanna Nataraja

Shatheeshkhanna Nataraja

Dubai,UAE

Summary

Accomplished executive with extensive expertise in C-Level negotiating, KPI setup and monitoring, and continuous improvement methodologies. Proven track record in M&A, IPO processes, and digitisation/ERP rollouts. Adept at driving margin improvements, developing go-to-market strategies, and managing treasury and working capital. Committed to leveraging skills for organisational growth and operational excellence.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Executive Vice President -Finance

Al Ghurair Foods LLC
Dubai
05.2021 - 09.2025
  • Key business partner and co-pilot to the CEO, providing strategic oversight and leading finance operations across multiple geographies and the entire business value chain, from commodity trading to commercial execution.
  • Oversee diverse commercial functions including B2B, exports, and B2C segments, while managing the full spectrum of supply chain and manufacturing operations.
  • Played a key role in driving the group's strategic initiative to invest over AED 1 billion in Abu Dhabi, establishing large-scale starch and broiler operations.
  • Finance lead of the successful acquisition of one of the flour milling companies in Saudi Arabia, previously owned by the Saudi government.
  • Played a pivotal role in revitalizing Sri Lanka's business performance through a comprehensive restructuring of the route-to-market strategy.
  • Spearheaded a highly complex Microsoft Dynamics ERP implementation across the manufacturing and commercial operations.
  • Transformed end-to-end processes through digitalization, leading to the successful implementation of a zero-paper policy across the business.

Chief Financial Officer

Al Muhaidib Group
KSA
09.2018 - 04.2021
  • Served as CFO of Mayar Foods, a leading player in the food industry across Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region, with responsibility for overseeing supply chain, commercial operations, and financial planning and analysis (FP&A).
  • Also served as a board member of Al Maha Foods, India, a key subsidiary of Mayar Foods.
  • Led successful business performance revamp, resulting in SAR 30M cost reduction and 7 ppt margin improvement through pricing, promotions, and process optimization.
  • Achieved significant improvement in working capital management, reduced accounts receivable days from 120 to 60 and inventory from 400 to 250 days, leading to a 400% higher dividend compared to the past 10 years' average.
  • Collaborated closely with authorities in KSA and India to ensure smooth business operations during COVID, addressing food security concerns to maintain optimal inventory levels throughout the pandemic.

Commercial Finance Manager, Supply Chain Financial Controller - MENA

Aujan Coca Cola Beverages
Dubai
09.2012 - 09.2018
  • Began the journey as Finance Manager for the Gulf region, then advanced to Commercial Finance Manager, expanding responsibilities across the MENA region.
  • Successfully managed financial strategies to drive commercial success and leverage opportunities in diverse markets.
  • Over the last two years, transitioned into a pivotal Supply Chain role, further strengthening expertise in end-to-end business operations.
  • Initiated and coordinated various value engineering/cost-saving projects across the company, delivering over USD 12 million in savings in 2017.
  • Revamped the legacy pricing structure to align with present market conditions, resulting in escalated revenue growth, improved overall numeric distributions, increased market share, and reduced discounts by 1%, saving over US$1 million.
  • Completely reversed the Jordan business, which had reported US$5 million in bad debts in 2012, within a short time span of twelve months by improving systems, processes, and controls.
  • Key member of successfully implemented Route-to-Market transformation project in the UAE. The project was facilitated by one of the Global Route-to-Market experts (Global Praxis).

Divisional Financial Controller, KSA and Gulf

Almarai Company
KSA
03.2010 - 09.2012
  • Career at Almarai began in the dairy business, managing major regions such as Central and North, before transitioning to the poultry business to oversee the commercial finance function for the entire operation across KSA and the Gulf region.
  • Led and completed the seamless business integration of Dairy and Bakery division ahead of projected time frame in Western region.
  • Introduced a new distribution system to bring wastage/expiries below 1% and significantly improved margin, as well as participated in the implementation of SAP ERP solution for process improvement.
  • Instrumental in successfully setting up the distribution companies of Poultry division in UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Chief Accountant

Pepsi Cola Franchising
Qatar
05.2004 - 09.2010
  • Early in the career, led the finance function for the entire business, spanning manufacturing, commercial operations, and financial planning and reporting.
  • This comprehensive exposure, even within a smaller operation, built a strong foundation that accelerated subsequent career growth.
  • Upgraded the monthly management reporting process and facilitated more objective driven decision making through up-to-date financial information.
  • Improved sales efficiency with the sales automation system; Handheld Terminals and boosted forecast accuracy to over 95% from 65-70% with the implementation of Customer Demand Forecast Tool.

Chief Accountant

Almarai Company
KSA
06.2000 - 05.2004
  • Entered the Middle East market with Almarai, gaining deep exposure to the core operations of a large-scale manufacturing and distribution business, building a strong foundation for future leadership roles.
  • Developed and maintained financial controls within the financial system to ensure disciplines are adhered to and safeguard the assets of the Company.
  • Ensured adherence to reporting requirements and deadlines set by head office on monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.

Accounts Executive

Macwoods Limited
Colombo
01.1997 - 12.2000

Accounts Clerk

Eswaran Brothers
Colombo
01.1994 - 12.1997

Education

Certificate of Education - Commerce and Accounting

01.1992 - 01.1994

Certified Management Accountant - undefined

CMA USA

Master of Business Administration - undefined

Postgraduate Institute of Management of Sri Lanka

Skills

  • C-Level negotiating
  • KPI setup and monitoring
  • Continuous improvement methodologies
  • M & A
  • IPO
  • Digitisation / ERP Rollouts
  • Margin Improvements
  • Go-to-market strategy
  • Treasury management
  • Working capital management

Websites

Personal Information

Visa status: Golden visa holder

Custom

  • Accounts Executive, Macwoods Limited, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 01/01/97, 12/31/00
  • Accounts Clerk, Eswaran Brothers, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 01/01/94, 12/31/97

Languages

English
Fluent

Timeline

Executive Vice President -Finance

Al Ghurair Foods LLC
05.2021 - 09.2025

Chief Financial Officer

Al Muhaidib Group
09.2018 - 04.2021

Commercial Finance Manager, Supply Chain Financial Controller - MENA

Aujan Coca Cola Beverages
09.2012 - 09.2018

Divisional Financial Controller, KSA and Gulf

Almarai Company
03.2010 - 09.2012

Chief Accountant

Pepsi Cola Franchising
05.2004 - 09.2010

Chief Accountant

Almarai Company
06.2000 - 05.2004

Accounts Executive

Macwoods Limited
01.1997 - 12.2000

Accounts Clerk

Eswaran Brothers
01.1994 - 12.1997

Certificate of Education - Commerce and Accounting

01.1992 - 01.1994

Certified Management Accountant - undefined

CMA USA

Master of Business Administration - undefined

Postgraduate Institute of Management of Sri Lanka

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Shatheeshkhanna Nataraja