Ahmed Gharbi Ph.D.

• Lead the Shared Services Division (HR, government relations, administration, organizational development, recruitment and HR business partners) and report directly to the CEO. • Oversee strategic planning and organizational development programs aligned with Vision 2030, ensuring that business plans support national food security goals. • Develop and monitor workforce budgets, workforce planning and staffing ratios to optimize operational efficiency. • Formulate, document and implement HR policies & procedures, ensuring governance, regulatory compliance and workforce well‑being. • Design training and people‑development programs to build internal capabilities and leadership pipelines. • Modernize compensation & benefits structures; introduced 365 job descriptions, job families and career paths to promote fairness and clarity. • Digitize HR processes and performance tracking systems to enhance data accuracy and decision‑making. • Drive culture change and employee engagement initiatives, including well‑being programs and leadership coaching.

• Built and maintained relationships with key clients; created action plans to address client needs and competitive challenges. • Led change strategy design, analyzing project constraints and opportunities to provide tailored solutions. • Advised clients on strategy design management by integrating design, innovation, technology, business and customer perspectives. • Implemented culture diagnostics (OCAI/OCI) and engagement surveys; developed KPIs and action plans to shift corporate culture. • Headed workforce transformation projects: restructured organizations, established career levels and grading systems, documented job descriptions and mapped career paths. • Designed compensation & benefit systems and comprehensive HR policies & procedures, aligned with labor laws. • Developed an e‑learning management system to enhance continuous learning and digital capability building.

• Directed and oversaw strategic and long‑range goal planning functions, driving alignment across business units. • Developed and monitored strategic initiatives, long‑term growth plans and profitability goals; communicated progress through executive dashboards. • Analyzed emerging industry trends, expansion opportunities (M&A, new markets), and competitive threats; provided insights and recommendations to the CEO and board. • Established functional strategies, budgets, policies and KPIs to support company infrastructure. • Ensured compliance with laws and regulations, identified governance vulnerabilities and recommended preventive measures.

Leejam is the largest Sports and Fitness Club in the Middle East. With network of 140 branches across KSA & UAE. Accelerate Evolution of HR Function * Acting as a thought leader in creating organizational culture that incentivizes high performance and fosters continuous improvements * Served as Change Champion, utilized innovative critical thinking, designed new approaches, policies, and procedures to positively affect continuous improvement practices. * Key player in building and maintaining Leejam Centre of Excellence by focusing on new key differentiators and innovation drivers. Change Agent * Developing and implementing the Section’s work plan and assigning related activities to serve the achievement of the Department/ Division’s Strategic Objectives. * Administering implementation of performance management system and learning & development programs, delivering transformational projects and programs, life-changing development to emerging talent at Leejam. * Supporting establishment of Department’s budget, monitoring and controlling expenditures in coordination with the Finance Division. Ambassador of the company’s Learning Culture * Bringing focus and rigor in Performance Management Process, establishing key result areas, objectives & standards at department & individual level, ensuring effectiveness and timely compliance. * Instrumental in providing bespoke training solutions, setting annual Training Plan for Leejam, optimizing training program success through astute management and trainer development programs as well as effective training budget management. * Reviewing, updating/ amending Leejam’s organizational structure, considering the company’s objectives and strategic direction. International HR Best Practices * Determining the optimal compensation architecture, overseeing the compensation & benefits System and ensuring all Leejam employees are provided with competitive packages compared to the market and in alignment with the company’s strategy

Del Monte is one of the world’s leading integrated producers, marketers and distributors of high quality fresh and prepared fruit and vegetables, juices, beverages, snacks and desserts Transforming HR * Acting as Organizational Development Liaison and Advisor to the organization's leadership. Effective catalyst in built, motivated and retained manpower, and positively contributed to organizational growth and profitability. * Owned & driving end-to-end HR programs comprising of recruitment and selection, induction, performance management, employee relations and welfare, disciplinary matters, termination, leaves, transfers and promotions as well as employee relations issues. * Identifying/incorporating best practices and lessons learned into program plans. Human Capital Strategist * Bridged the gap between management and employees, fostered Communications & advocated for employees on Human Resources related issues/grievances, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance and litigation avoidance. * Providing strong and visible leadership, contributing to the development and delivery of strategy, execution, planning and employee relations efforts. * Consulted and delivered on organizational development, design or change projects, maintenance of labor /employee relations, equal employment opportunity, diversity and compensation programs. Employee Relationships Excellence * Managed robust Training & Development projects & programs, subsequent to needs assessment for training and staff development. Reviewed evaluations of training courses, objectives and accomplishments. * Developed learning activities, audio-visual materials, instructor guides and lesson plans. * Assessed effectiveness of training in terms of employee accomplishments and performance. * Serve as an expert consultant to business leaders on all talent matters, including organizational effectiveness, leader effectiveness, organizational design, performance, learning needs/opportunities and conflict resolution.

M.H. Alshaya Co. is a multinational retail franchise operator headquartered in Kuwait. It operates 90 consumer retail brands across the Middle East and North Africa, Russia, Turkey and Europe. (More than 52, 000 employees operate almost 3, 000 stores). Resourcing and Manpower Planning Solutions * Sitting at the intersection of Human Resources and Business Leaders, supporting a highly complex, global organization-with an emphasis on organizational assessment/design, change management, strategic talent management, succession planning, employee relations and coaching for their respective groups. * Led the Manpower planning activity for the respective Divisions/Markets/Business Units in partnership with the relevant business owner. * Support Div. HRBP & manage the Annual Merit Review as well as Annual Incentive scheme of the respective Divisions/ Markets/ Business Units with line & senior managers to ensure an efficient delivery of the same. Performance Appraisal & Succession Planning * Steered Training & Development initiatives, identified needs within the Division and delivered an integrated training and development strategy, knowledge transfer and enhancement strategy, competence development and performance management strategy. * Proffered strategic guidance to reinvigorate performance management system and developed an employee-oriented company culture that emphasizes quality, continuous improvement and high performance World-Class Trainer * Supported respective Market HRMs. Managed/ drove success of ‘Grow with Us’ program for a different managerial level with the respective Divisions / Functions. * Championed, managed Training & Development projects and programs - delivered more than 200 training sessions with 4000+ participants across the MENA region. * Strengthened the impact of management training and development programs by assessing the return-on-investment ROI and ROE of the program.

Responsible for Resourcing & Manpower Planning  Own the Manpower planning activity for the respective Divisions/Markets/Business Units in coordination with the relevant business owner.  Act as an interface between the Company & the store employees in order to ensure an effective two-way communication which eventually helps in key decision making within the Division /Markets/ Business units  Conduct a detailed exit analysis of the respective Division/Market/Business Unit & make recommendations to the operations team wherever appropriate. Responsible for ensuring a clear understanding & smooth delivery of the Compensation & Reward process within ones own area of responsibility  Support HRBP & manage the Annual Merit Review of the respective Divisions/Markets/Business Units with line & senior managers to ensure an efficient delivery.  Support the HRBP & manage the Annual Incentive scheme of the respective Divisions/Markets/Business Units with line & senior managers to ensure an efficient delivery of the same. Responsible for Training & Development within ones own area of responsibility.  Identify the Training & Development needs within the Division by working in close liaison with the Operations & Learning & Development team  Ensure that all the existing & new store staff are inducted to the company & attend all core training  Ensure that the Line Managers of the respective Division are coached properly wherever a gap is identified / seen. Performance Appraisal & Succession Planning  Drive & facilitate the Performance Appraisal process, Succession Planning activities & actively participate in the Resourcing Forums  Provide constant support to the respective Market AHRMs Act as a ‘Role Model’ in the organization & educate line & senior managers on the company policies & procedures.  Increase the capability of the Line managers to efficiently conduct disciplinary in compliance

Lofat Group is healthy food company based in Kuwait, it is operating with 3 diet centers along with central kitchen to serve 950 memberships with their daily meals, additional to several canteens in private schools and supermarkets. HR Strategy/ Mission & Vision * Served as a catalyst for building strong talent pools, leadership teams and top-tier performance cultures. * Commanded the project of updating the company’s Policies & Procedures Manuals, Organizational Structure and Authority Matrix. * Designed HR departmental strategy in line with the company’s business strategy, established effective HR processes, policies and procedures, developed organization structures, job grading, performance management, compensation and benefits and training and development plans for the organization. * Establishing annual and quarterly budget for personnel operations and prudently managed organization's resources as per budget guidelines. Driving People Performance and Engagement * Performed challenging staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures. Provided terminated employees with outplacement or relocation assistance. * Advised Managers on organizational policy matters such as equal employment opportunity, code of conduct and recommend needed changes. * Key Member of Organizational Development Team. Served as a Training Advisor and Coach for the business by staying current on Training best practices. Analyzed training needs to design employee development, language training and health and safety programs. * Represented organization at personnel-related hearings and investigations.

During my journey with Ambition Consulting & Training Co., I have completed almost 35 consulting & training projects in both private & public sectors. Program/ Project Management Excellence  Proffered strategic consultancy and advised on business strategy, marketing, human resources, financial and management controls etc. Facilitated in creating value, maximizing growth/ improving business performance of the clients.  Employed historical experience and competency in strategic & tactical consulting services with consistent record of delivering excellence in establishing strategy, structure, management and operations of an organization.  Owned innovative development programs, pulled together a suite of L&D/training interventions that met specific learning and development needs of key clients.  Aided companies to shape the future by proffering strategic consultancy to organizational leaders for enhanced decision making, optimized operational planning and resourcing. Game-Changing Consultancy  Provided various consultancy services such as: - Quality Management System, ISO 9001 - QMS - Environmental Management System, ISO 14001 - EMS - I.T. Security System, ISO 27001 - ISMS - Food Safety Management System, ISO 22000 - FSMS/ HACCP - HR Consultancy, Appraisal system, Job descriptions and Salary schemes. - Market Research, Ghost Shopping programs, Focus Group studies & Customers feedback. - Food safety & Hygiene Audit and Inspection. - Audits on Customers Handling in outlets and Call Centers Training Champion  Conducted various training courses for more than 350 trainees during 2 years such as: - Awareness cession for ISO 9001 - Auditing the Quality Management System ISO 9001 - Setting Strategies & Objectives - Marketing Skills - Setting Marketing Plan - New trend in Human Resources Management - Excellence in Customer services