The retail sector, especially the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, plays a significant role in the global economy. It encompasses various operations, from hypermarkets to convenience stores, each facing unique challenges while striving to enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Businesses in this space continuously look for ways to optimize supply chains, boost sales, and refine merchandising strategies to maintain their competitive edge. The constant demand for innovation, market responsiveness, and strategic leadership is crucial for maintaining profitability and growth in this industry.
In this dynamic environment, Haitham Ajjour, the Operations and Commercial Director with over 13 years of experience, has developed a solid reputation for his strategic approach to operations and commercial management. He combines his expertise in supply chain management, sales optimization, and team leadership to drive operational excellence. Haitham focuses on measurable outcomes, empowering his teams, and leveraging data to solve immediate operational challenges while ensuring long-term sustainability.
At Lagate, the approach to retail operations is built on a foundation of collaboration and efficiency. The company’s commitment to optimizing processes, integrating innovative technologies, and enhancing customer experiences is a testament to its position in the market. With Haitham’s leadership, Lagate continues to build on its strategy to remain at the forefront of the industry, achieving growth while maintaining operational integrity and satisfaction across its retail outlets.
Let’s delve in to learn more:
Driving Excellence in FMCG Retail Operations and Strategy
Haitham is a seasoned professional with over 13 years of experience in the FMCG retail industry, specializing in hypermarkets, supermarkets, mini-markets, and convenience stores located not only in Riyadh, but also Dammam, Khobar, Neom, Al Ula and soon in Trojena and red sea. He currently serves as the Operations and Commercial Director at Lagate Food Stuff Company.
Haitham has a proven track record of integrating operational efficiency with strategic commercial initiatives to achieve sustainable growth and profitability. His expertise encompasses end-to-end supply chain management, sales optimization, category management, and the development of high-performing teams aligned with organizational objectives.
Optimizing Retail Operations Through Strategic Leadership
Haitham begins each day with team briefings to review essential performance metrics, including sales data, inventory levels, supply chain efficiency, and operational KPIs. Collaborating with departmental heads, he addresses immediate challenges and identifies actionable opportunities.
A significant portion of his day is devoted to strategic planning and problem-solving, where he analyzes market trends, competitor activities, and customer feedback to shape tactical decisions. He proactively resolves operational bottlenecks, ensuring smooth logistics, merchandising, and supply chain functions.
Collaborating across teams is integral to his role. Haitham engages with marketing, finance, and procurement teams to align on promotions, campaigns, and cost management strategies. Regular interactions with suppliers and partners enable him to negotiate contracts and plan future collaborations effectively.
To maintain operational excellence, Haitham conducts on-site visits to retail locations and distribution centres. These visits focus on evaluating compliance with operational standards, ensuring adherence to health and safety protocols, and gathering insights from frontline teams about customer experience.
In his leadership capacity, he oversees strategic projects, including new product launches, digital transformation initiatives, and process optimization efforts. By exploring innovative technologies and solutions, Haitham consistently works toward enhancing operational efficiency and reinforcing the company’s market position.
His day concludes with a thorough review of performance outcomes, tracking progress toward established goals. Based on data and feedback, he recalibrates priorities and sets the agenda for the following day, maintaining a results-driven approach to operational and commercial management.
Strategic Leadership in FMCG Operations and Team Empowerment
Haitham Ajjour, Operations and Commercial Director at Lagate has honed a meticulous approach to prioritizing tasks and tackling challenges in the FMCG retail industry. He emphasizes focusing on activities that drive measurable outcomes, such as revenue growth, cost efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Haitham strategically delegates less critical responsibilities, ensuring his attention remains on initiatives that align with organizational goals.
Leveraging real-time data and analytics plays a central role in his decision-making process, allowing him to address urgent issues, like supply chain disruptions, promptly while planning broader strategies over time. Recognizing the unpredictable nature of retail, Haitham remains prepared to adjust priorities in response to unexpected scenarios, such as demand fluctuations or delays from suppliers.
A firm believer in the value of team empowerment, he entrusts department leaders with operational management while maintaining clear communication to stay informed without micromanaging. Haitham sets precise goals and deadlines, dividing tasks into immediate and long-term objectives to maintain clarity and focus. Balancing immediate operational needs with forward-looking initiatives, he allocates time to projects aimed at market expansion and process optimization.
Haitham finds immense reward in witnessing the tangible impact of strategic decisions and collaborative teamwork. Whether through streamlined operations, successful product rollouts, or impactful campaigns, the results of collective efforts bring a sense of fulfilment. He also values mentoring his team and fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and creativity. Building meaningful relationships with suppliers and stakeholders further enhances operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
In addressing industry challenges, Haitham adopts a proactive approach by analyzing data, tracking trends, and implementing robust risk management strategies. He underscores the importance of open communication across teams to collaboratively resolve problems. By prioritizing customer-centric solutions, Haitham ensures that operational decisions align with consumer needs, maintaining a competitive edge.
Adaptability and innovation are key to his methodology, as he encourages creative problem-solving within his team. Viewing challenges as learning opportunities, Haitham integrates insights from past experiences into refined processes, enhancing future outcomes and operational excellence.
Driving Excellence Through Strategic Leadership in Convenience Retail
Haitham exemplifies a leadership approach tailored to the demands of the convenience retail sector. Drawing from his extensive experience, he employs targeted strategies to foster collaboration, drive performance, and ensure operational excellence in this fast-paced, customer-centric environment.
A cornerstone of his leadership is building a shared vision. Haitham ensures that every team member is aligned with the company’s objectives, whether it involves optimizing operations, enhancing customer experiences, or boosting sales. Regular communication and consistent reinforcement of this vision help unify efforts toward common goals.
Recognizing the importance of empowering teams, Haitham practices effective delegation by entrusting team leaders with responsibilities that allow them to take ownership of their areas. This approach not only builds confidence but also frees him to concentrate on strategic priorities. Open communication is another critical aspect of his leadership, where he fosters transparency and collaboration by maintaining an open-door policy and facilitating regular cross-departmental discussions to align objectives and address challenges collectively.
Acknowledging the impact of recognition on morale and performance, Haitham celebrates successes at all levels, from individual achievements to store-wide improvements. This is achieved through incentives, public acknowledgments, or providing career advancement opportunities. He also harnesses the power of data and technology by leveraging advanced analytics to track key metrics like sales trends, inventory levels, and customer behaviour, ensuring that actionable insights are effectively utilized to optimize operations and drive results.
Innovation and continuous improvement are integral to Haitham’s leadership ethos. By cultivating a culture where employees feel encouraged to propose ideas and solutions and by emphasizing ongoing training, he ensures the team remains equipped to meet industry demands. Leading by example, Haitham demonstrates accountability, adaptability, and a customer-first mindset, aligning his actions with the values he advocates.
Finally, he addresses conflicts constructively, emphasizing the importance of timely and fair resolution. By understanding diverse perspectives and seeking equitable solutions, he maintains collaboration and morale within the team.
Haitham’s comprehensive and deliberate leadership style underscores his commitment to achieving excellence in the convenience retail sector, ensuring both team empowerment and organizational success.
Balancing Strategic Goals with Daily Operations for Sustainable Growth
In a convenience store company, balancing strategic goals with daily operations requires clear prioritization, delegation, and structured planning. Haitham empowers store managers and teams to manage day-to-day operations, ensuring smooth execution while dedicating focused time to long-term strategies. By using data-driven insights and real-time dashboards, he stays informed without micromanaging, enabling him to address operational issues promptly and align them with broader objectives. Regular communication between teams ensures that both immediate needs and long-term goals are in sync, maintaining operational efficiency while supporting sustainable growth.
Driving Innovation and Market Responsiveness
To maintain Lagate’s leadership in the industry, Haitham focuses on continuous market research and utilizes data analytics to track consumer behaviour. He prioritizes innovation by integrating emerging technologies to improve convenience and offering customized products. Collaborating with suppliers and remaining adaptable to market trends enables the company to meet customer needs and stay competitive. Regular feedback from frontline teams and customers allows for ongoing refinement, ensuring the company remains responsive and proactive.
Strategies for Success in Retail Operations
For professionals aiming to excel in retail operations and commercial management, it is crucial to master key areas such as customer-focused decision-making, efficient operations, and solid financial expertise. Developing data-driven problem-solving abilities, adopting innovative solutions, and staying adaptable to industry shifts are essential. Building strong relationships across teams, prioritizing continuous learning, and taking ownership of challenges are key practices. Additionally, cultivating a strategic mindset while maintaining attention to detail ensures a balance between immediate execution and long-term objectives.
Optimizing Operations and Driving Growth
Haitham’s key goals for Lagate include improving operational efficiency, driving revenue growth, and enhancing customer satisfaction. To achieve these objectives, he plans to optimize supply chain processes, utilize data-driven decision-making, and explore new product offerings such as fresh food, healthy food, imported items and smart lockers to let customer receive their online order from the store. His focus will be on innovation, streamlining operations through technology, and promoting a customer-centric culture to maintain a competitive edge while ensuring sustainability and profitability.
