Khurram Akhtar

Responsible for managing sales and the product range across multiple categories. To ensure that the Supertouch product range is relevant, class leading and profitable. Leading the sales team to achieve growth and profitability.

Since its launch in 1996, Supertouch has grown to become one of the most significant names within the global Protective Workwear and Disposables industry. It now has a portfolio of quality products and combines unbeatable prices with outstanding customer service. Having successfully managed the building of the firms new offshore manufacturing operation, as the lead manager in the region, was pulled back to the UK to help drive the businesses ambitious corporate growth objectives. This position combined a senior Business Development Manager role with significant responsibility for New Product Development that has now helped to win major deals. Head of Business Development, Supertouch Ltd – Head Office • Working alongside the purchasing department to create and improve product lines • Gathering new product and the key competitor / market information • Monitoring product mix and keeping it in line with current market trends • Visiting clients with business development Executives to close sales with blue chip organisations that include Bunzl, Tesco,Wal-Mart and several major City Councils • Educating both clients and colleagues on product benefits to maximise sales and profitability • Identifying major opportunities, initiating and then maintaining a strong client / sales pipeline • Coached and propagated best practice, facilitating knowledge transfer across all stakeholders • Implementing business strategy, securing targeted affiliates (Built a dynamic offshore manufacturing division from scratch in under a year that swiftly delivered significant market advantage – cost/quality/flexibility) • Planning, monitoring & delivering all key aspects of complex projects on time and within budget • Selection of top talent & the development of the teams focus to secure all targeted metrics

The significant performance delivered in the previous role resulted in being approached to relocate to be on site during the planning and execution of this innovate new in-house initiative (this in-house manufacturing project went onto deliver significant competitive advantage and became a catalyst for new sales in new regions). • The initial objective was to build a management team & structure for a new knitwear and leather glove project • Hired department heads for finance, export sales, merchandising and fabrication • Integrated factory production with Supertouch Ltd’s supply chain • Established export sales to the USA, Singapore, Germany and Spain • Established a production capacity of 50,000 knitwear garments and 60,000 pairs of gloves per month • Ensured that all production was within budget and avoid cost over runs • Ensured the unit was profitable within specified time line • Implemented reporting and performance management systems

• Planning the visit to the key clients to present new products and services and close deals • Managing the call cycle to maximise productivity and sales growth (working with clients to influence tender spec) • Developing new products bringing real innovation to differentiate offer from competitors • Working alongside the senior marketing team to optimise the launch of new products • Monitoring and mitigating competitor activity • Developing bespoke work wear solutions for clients • Managing the internal support team from end to end • Provide expert technical information to the client teams • Arranged multiple joint visits to clients with regional distributors to drive the sales process • Overseeing the closing of key deals

• Building a database of B2B clients for disposable and industrial work wear and PPE • Planning and delivering the targeting and initial contact of potential new customers • Managing existing accounts • Cross selling to customers • Achieve growth targets by providing excellent customer service • Provide technical advice on product usage to customers

Worked here as a summer Intern. Main duties were working on an internal project for RSM UK to increase its profitability and to benchmark against industry best practice. Practical experience was gained in ratio analysis and financial analysis.

• Contributing to the accurate measurement and analysis of investment performance. • Validating accounting data • Communicating fund performance metrics to clients. • Gained broad knowledge of investment products and services. • Gained specialist knowledge into financial markets and the various indices and benchmarks used to measure their performance.