Writing Blogs on - Retail industry specially in areas of Consumer Experience and Omni-Channel Retail
UMESH AGARWAL
Retail Store Design, Delivery & Project Management Specialist
Dubai,UAE
Summary
Highly experienced Project Management Specialist with significant experience in spearheading Design & Delivery of more than 600 physical retail stores for 100+ franchisee International & Home grown Retail Brands, across the GCC region. A well qualified & dedicated professional having great organization skills, analytical mindset and high-efficiency orientation, who has consistently challenged project timelines, strictly adhered to desired quality standards and managed to have saved substantial costs through value engineering, out-of-the box design & construction ideas, innovative project implementation strategies and streamlining processes in various stages of the project lifecycle. A creative problem solver who applies amalgamation of multi-year industry knowledge and retail project management experience to solve abstract challenges. Seeking opportunity in top leadership roles in Mall Management, Retail Delivery Management or Retail Consultancy firms to help in delivering world class retail experiences with the intention to achieve sustainable growth and continuous success in the ever changing retail world.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
4
4
Languages
Work History
Regional Project Manager
Axiom Telecom LLC
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
03.2014 - Current
- Designed, Built and Delivered - Digitally Enhanced Retail Concept for Axiom Telecom Retail Stores (72 Nos.), Axiom Care Service Centre (12 Nos.) and Axiom Distribution Centres (6 Nos.) across 24 Shopping Malls in UAE & KSA covering 1M Sq.Ft. leasable space at a cost of USD 50M overall project cost.
- Supervised the construction and handing-over of the Axiom HQ Building with a Built-Up area measuring 250,000 Sq.Ft. Saved USD 12M for a overall project cost valuation of AED 68M in Dubai, UAE
- Conceptualized and rolled-out the new concept product displays for Switch & Givori Luxury Retail brands across 150 partner location in UAE
- Built successful project roll out management plans, adhered to budget requirements, applied value engineering, performed cost analysis, negotiated and implemented accelerated roll out management plans, applied innovative design and execution strategies to save approx. USD 5M in allocated budgetary expenses.
- Worked with CEOs, CFOs, COOs, Brand Principals, Brand Managers, Marketing Managers, Planners and Buyers to understand requirements, needs and brand guidelines to design customer friendly retail stores for longevity and sustainable growth.
- Liaised with Mall Managements, Landlords, Leasing Departments, Legal Teams, Statutory Authorities and RDD Teams for the smooth and timely opening of retail stores.
Senior Project Manager
Liwa Trading Enterprises
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
11.2011 - 02.2014
- Managed the end-to-end fit out Project Management processes for the roll out of 150 Retail Stores for 28+ International retail brands across the GCC countries
- Worked on brands like BHS, BHS Kids, Charanga, Gocco, SuiteBlanco, Calvin Klien, Smash, La Senza, Madina Milano, StellaZ, Florshiem, M & Co, GANT, Premaman, Throttleman, Nautica, Dwell, Sinma, Aspinal of London, Think Kitchen, Menbur and Tammy.
- Developed project management plans and managed project scope using methodologies to guide projects from conceptualization to implementation to handover and maintenance.
- Supported and executed simultaneous delivery of multiple retail stores for various retail brands across various shopping malls locations in GCC.
- Closely collaborated with stakeholders and project team members to identify and address problems. Directed changes to project scope & cost for the timely opening.
- Maintained tactical control of project budgets, outlined work plans, determined resources, to keep teams on task and achieve schedule targets
- Monitored contracts and service level agreements (SLAs) to identify potential risks and implement mitigation actions to protect development process from unforeseen delays and costs.
- Collaborated with brand managers, brand principals, merchandisers, IT teams, mall management officials, delivery teams and statutory authorities during the entire fit out process to validate requirements and ensure timely completion
- Worked with third-party contractors, material suppliers and vendors to streamline project implementation processes
- Recorded all project costs, expenses, bills, purchases, approved drawings and authority approval certificates and project learnings
Project Manager
Jawad Business Group
Manama, Bahrain
11.2008 - 10.2011
- Discussed with Mall Management and Retail Delivery Teams to agree on project plans and to get approvals for the final Architectural and MEP drawing pack while securing the brand guidelines and identity
- Reviewed bills of Quantities (BOQs), processes covering Tendering, contractor negotiation & selection
- Planned the entire site execution schedule, modified as per site progress and directed team members & site personnel to meet organizational needs
- Managed opening of 250 retail stores from site selection to design approvals to implementation to handover and post-handover facility management
- Worked on brands like Mango, FCUK, BHS, Alcott, Sacoor Brothers, Monsoon, Monsoon Children, Accessorize, Camaeiu, Celio, Adams Kids, Shoeciti, KMS, Minimode, Pumpkin Patch, Bendon, Quiz, Hobbs, Tape al'oiel, Pixi, Sinequonan, J-Sports, Daniel Crimeiux, The White Company, SIA, Sabre, Lakeland, La Maison, Flamant, Bois and Chiffon, Burger King and Jawad Supermarket etc.
- Scheduled and facilitated meetings between project stakeholders to discuss deliverables, schedules and conflicts.
Senior Architect
Landmark International
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
05.2007 - 10.2008
- Co-ordinated with mall managements, delivery teams and leasing personnel to obtain Line Only Drawings (LODs), sharing them with Brand Principals and co-ordinating for the receipt of conceptual drawings
- Worked along with internal drafting team members to prepare full set of Architectural and MEP drawings for mall and statutory authority's approvals
- Prepared Bills of Quantities (BOQs), Tendered and performed cost analysis, negotiations and selected contractors & vendors for project delivery
- Worked on preparing project schedules, monitored the site execution and supervised the entire fit out process till the handover to retail operations team
- Worked on and delivered - 100+ retail stores across GCC countries for 4 international brands viz. Newlook, Reiss, Koton and Aftershock.
Architect on Contract
Govt. of Mauritius
Phoenix, Mauritius
11.2004 - 11.2006
- Worked on Architecture Planning for multiple Govt. building projects such as Coast Guard HQ, Mauritian Parliament, Supreme Court etc.
- Prepared Bills of Quantities (BOQs) and tenders including a variety of different written communications, reports and documents.
- Conducted research on previously executed projects, gathered information from multiple sources and presented results for improvements in future projects.
- Implemented cost-saving initiatives that addressed long-standing problems.
Architect
Reliance Industries
New Delhi, India
01.2004 - 10.2004
- Design, approvals, contractor Selection, site execution, monitoring, supervision and delivery
- Project Schedule preparation, adherence to the cost and timelines and opening of 65 Reliance Web World Outlet stores across the National Capital Region (NCR) and Rajasthan state
- Weekly progress report submission to Chief Architect at Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge Centre (DAKC), Mumbai, India
Education
PG Diploma in Data Science
IIIT, Bengaluru (In Collaboration With Upgrad)
Bengaluru 06.2018 - 06.2019
MBA in Construction Management
Manchester Business School
Dubai 06.2008 - 06.2011
Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)
National Institute of Technology
Trichy, Tamilnadu, India 06.1994 - 06.1999
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Institute
USA 02.2009 - 02.2009
Thought Leader Transformation
Future Leaders Program
Australia 01.2022 - Current
Skills
Retail Store Architectural Design & Approvals
Affiliations
- Project Management Institute (PMI), USA
- Member of Middle East Council of Shopping Centers & Retail (MECSC+R)
- Member of Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) and the Retail, Small and Large Enterprises (RSLE) Focus Group
- Member of Council of Architecture (COA)
- Member of organizing committee of RECAL UAE Chapter (Graduate College Alumni Association)
Certification
Project Management Professional
Interests
Participating in Forums, Events and Exhibitions pertaining to the matters of Retail Industry, Futuristic Retail Technologies and Innovation in Digital Retail Formats
Reading Books on Evolution of Retail, Re-engineering & Re-imagining Retail, Retail Transformation
Networking with Retail Professionals and encouraging customer experience focused store designs and execution
Accomplishments
Managed the end-to-end fit out Project Management processes for 600+ Retail Stores across GCC countries for 100+ International and Home grown Retail brands spanning across 1.25 Million Sq.Ft. of lease area
Saved AED 44M overall project costs across the entire professional career in project execution through efficient Project Planning, Value Engineering, and accelerated project execution to achieve before-time store openings
Dealt with 131 different Mall Owners, Landlords, Builders etc. and gathered experience and knowledge about the entire gamut of Retail Operations starting from location selection to lease negotiations to brand principals co-ordination to landlord & authority management to site monitoring & execution to merchandising to handover to facility management.
Created 52 Nos. of bespoke 'Standard Operating Procedures' (SOPs) Manual for Project, Facility and People Management
Won (As a team member) - Grazia Award for second best retail brand for REISS store at Dubai Festival City for Landmark Group
Won (As a team member) - Dubai Quality award for Axiom Telecom
Written article for Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs) in Retail Industry in Retail People Magazine (Q4-2021 Edition)
Timeline
Thought Leader Transformation
Future Leaders Program
01.2022 - Current
Long Serving Employee Award
12-2021
PG Diploma in Data Science
IIIT, Bengaluru (In Collaboration With Upgrad)
06.2018 - 06.2019
Regional Project Manager
Axiom Telecom LLC
03.2014 - Current
Senior Project Manager
Liwa Trading Enterprises
11.2011 - 02.2014
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Institute
02.2009 - 02.2009
Project Manager
Jawad Business Group
11.2008 - 10.2011
MBA in Construction Management
Manchester Business School
06.2008 - 06.2011
Senior Architect
Landmark International
05.2007 - 10.2008
Architect on Contract
Govt. of Mauritius
11.2004 - 11.2006
Architect
Reliance Industries
01.2004 - 10.2004
Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)
National Institute of Technology
06.1994 - 06.1999
Project Management Professional
2009-02
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