Khadim Sarwar

Leading the transformation of Horizon Food Company, a listed Saudi-based food manufacturer into a world-class F&B group with a strong regional footprint. Overseeing operations, strategy, and commercial growth across meat, bakery, ready meals, and dessert categories, with a vision to expand business across the GCC. Focused on driving operational excellence, food safety leadership, product innovation, and expansion across GCC markets through strategic partnerships, automation, and brand development. Committed to building a high-performing team culture rooted in accountability, innovation, and shared success.

As CEO of JANA Group and Al Sorour Bakeries, I oversee a multifaceted operation that spans food manufacturing, catering, and retail bakery services, positioned to serve diverse markets across the UAE and beyond. Leveraging our robust logistics network and a focus on cutting-edge product innovation, we deliver a comprehensive portfolio of fresh, frozen, and ambient products that meet the highest standards of quality and safety. Jana Group is committed to Food Safety, consistent quality, operational excellence, sustainability, and strategic partnerships with industry leaders, including ADNOC and ENOC as well as the Government Entities to which we provide a VIP Catering service. Under my leadership, we are driving forward an ambitious growth agenda to elevate our presence regionally and to position Jana Group / Al Sorour Bakeries as a trusted and competitive brand in the global food industry.

Full P&L and Operational Responsibility of the Food Manufacturing sites in Kuwait, UAE and KSA supplying short shelf-life Chilled and Frozen foods (Bakery, Butchery, Ready Meals, Cakes, Soups, Sauces, Salads, Sandwiches and Juices) daily into over 1,500 stores across the 3 countries, supplying into Starbucks, The Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang’s, Shake Shack, ADNH Compass etc. Grew the Alshaya Food Manufacturing business sales by 900% over the past 9 years. Transformed the Alshaya Food Manufacturing Sites from Warehouse production operations into World Class Manufacturing sites, through infrastructure, people, process and product improvement. Setting and sustaining the highest standards in the Middle East. Worked with the brands to deliver exceptional and innovative products through New Product Development Team. Developed a high performing team of over 900 team members across the 3 sites who are highly motivated, engaged and delivering exceptional results on an YOY basis. Led the design, build, commission and successful launch of the UAE site in 2017 and the KSA Food Manufacturing site in 2022. The KSA site is on track to deliver on the budgeted sales at 80% capacity utilisation in the first year of operation and is running at a profit in first year of operation.

Promoted to the position of Business Manager - Alshaya Food, in recognition of the operational transformation of the Alshaya Food Manufacturing sites in UAE and Kuwait, as well as the successful operations project management in construction of a "green field" purpose built food manufacturing site in the UAE. As Business Manager, I have commercial (internal and external) and operational responsibility of the Alshaya manufacturing sites in UAE and Kuwait.

Complete Responsibility for M. H. Alshaya Manufacturing sites in UAE (Dubai) and Kuwait, supplying into the Alshaya Food Retail Division including Starbucks, The Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Pizza Express, Texas Road House, Asha's, Potbelly, Le Pain Quotidien, IHOP, Dean & Deluca and many more. As one of the most dynamic and successful retailers in the region, Alshaya Retail franchises some of the world’s best known brands, making them flourish in new markets, from the Middle East and North Africa to Russia, Turkey and Europe.

In recognition of achievements at Pennine Foods, promoted within 1 year at 2 sisters food group to Rogerstone Park which is Europe’s largest Indian / American / Mexican ready meals factory supplying short shelf-life Chilled and Frozen foods (Ready Meals, Soups, Sauces, Salads, Sandwiches and Proteins) into Marks and Spencer and British Airways. Full P&L responsibility spanned all departments on site inclusive of Operations, Commercial, Supply Chain, Technical, Engineering, NPD, Finance and HR.

Responsibility spanned all departments on site inclusive of Operations, Supply Chain, Technical, Engineering, Finance, Logistics and HR. Brought the site to profitability within 9 months. Reduced accidents by 77% YOY through effective H&S Leadership. Reduced Customer complaints by 50% through focused quality improvement activities. Improved plant OEE from 67% to 81% by mid-2010. Reduced waste by approx. 50% through focused waste reduction plans.

(General Manager- Site Lead)- Hovis Birmingham (550 employees) Promoted to the largest and most complex site within the Hovis Division following the successful transformation of the Leicester site. Birmingham site is a manufacturer of Bread, Pancakes, Scones, Hot Cross Buns and Rolls. The site supplies to all major retailers – branded as well as own label.

Site Manufacturing Manager Hovis - Leicester Premier Foods

Business Unit Manager May 2008 - April 2009 Transferred into the commercial department as part of personal development for future Operations Director role. Reporting into the Commercial Director as Asda Business Unit Manager managing a £54million account. Site Operations Manager 2004 - May 2008 Full responsibility of S&A foods Operations and Engineering department. Responsible for safe and efficient production of product with sales value in excess of £60Million per year,