Ahmad Hijazi
Senior Management – FMCG, QSR, Supply Chain/Logistics And Manufacturing Industry
Lagos
Summary
Experienced senior executive with 27 years in FMCG, QSR, and food manufacturing, currently leading natnudO Foods (AMO Group) in Nigeria. Strong background in restaurant operations, supply chain, logistics, and industrial catering, working with global brands like Domino’s, Cold Stone, Nando’s, and Gloria Jean’s.
Proven ability to drive business growth, optimize supply chains, and enhance operational efficiency. Skilled in procurement, inventory management, quality assurance, and food safety compliance. A hands-on leader who builds strong teams, collaborates with stakeholders, and delivers results through strategic planning and execution.
Dedicated, results-driven, and passionate about business transformation and sustainable growth in the food industry.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
8
8
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Managing Director
natnudO Foods
01.2025 - Current
- Company Overview: Leading strategic growth, operational efficiency, and market expansion for one of Nigeria’s top agribusiness and food production companies
- Driving transformation in poultry production, supply chain optimization, and business development, with a focus on innovation, quality assurance, and sustainability
- Spearheading operational restructuring to enhance efficiency across production and logistics
- Implementing innovative supply chain solutions to improve cost-effectiveness and reduce waste
- Driving strategic partnerships with suppliers and stakeholders to optimize procurement and distribution
- Leading the company’s sustainability and food safety initiatives to align with global standards
- Enhancing team performance through leadership development and process automation
- Leading strategic growth, operational efficiency, and market expansion for one of Nigeria’s top agribusiness and food production companies
Group Director of Supply chain and Supply Center, Warehouses, Logistics & Quality Assurance
Eat ‘N ’Go ltd
01.2015 - 01.2025
- Company Overview: Eat’N’Go is a restaurant group operating outlet of renowned F&B brands including Domino’s Pizza, Cold Stone Creamery and Pinkberry frozen yoghurt in Africa
- Http://eatngo-africa.com/
- Managed 11 supply chain centers, ensuring adherence to global standards and international audits
- Led supply chain operations for 198 restaurants across Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, optimizing efficiency
- Implemented cost-reduction strategies, achieving significant reductions in Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)
- Maintained stringent quality assurance standards (FSSC, ISO22000, HACCP) with successful third-party certifications
- Developed new product portfolios and streamlined menu architecture to drive market expansion
- Eat’N’Go is a restaurant group operating outlet of renowned F&B brands including Domino’s Pizza, Cold Stone Creamery and Pinkberry frozen yoghurt in Africa
- Http://eatngo-africa.com/
Operations Manager
Nando’s
09.2012 - 12.2014
- Company Overview: Nando’s is an international casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Portuguese-style chicken dishes with various peri-peri marinades https://www.nandos.com/
- Oversaw daily operations of Nando’s outlets in Oman, ensuring seamless service delivery
- Developed and executed annual business strategies to achieve revenue and profitability targets
- Worked closely with marketing teams to align brand strategies with customer preferences
- Ensured compliance with international quality and food safety standards
- Managed staff training, performance evaluations, and talent development programs
- Nando’s is an international casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Portuguese-style chicken dishes with various peri-peri marinades https://www.nandos.com/
Site Manager/Catering Manager
Yemen Catering & Services Ltd
11.2011 - 08.2012
- Company Overview: YCS provides catering and camp services to clients in the oil and gas industry across Yemen
- Managed the delivery of catering and camp services to multiple sites with multinational populations across Yemen including the main site of Total (600 employees), CPF PetroMasila (575 employees), Dove Energy (150 employees) and Atouf (100 employees)
- Supervised operations across multiple sites in a remote area 700 km from Sana’a dealing with administration, industrial catering, management of camp and office facilities, security and recreation delivering service of 4-star standard
- Oversaw a diverse team comprising of camp administrators, catering staff, access controllers, technicians, storekeeper and labor allocating and ensuring efficient execution of planned day-to-day tasks
- Managed the company’s fleet of trucks, buses and cars and provided required logistics support to clients for movement of personnel and materials
- Administered the approved budget, monitored and controlled costs, managed petty cash and maintained all accounting records as per company procedures
- Dealt with all aspects of human resources management, staff administration, payroll and travel as well as employee engagement and motivation
- Implemented all health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements across sites to maintain the highest HSE ratings
- Coordinated with appointed contractors and ensured on time quality delivery of all contracted services
- Implemented action plans to maintain high quality standards while achieving 10% reduction in operating costs
- YCS provides catering and camp services to clients in the oil and gas industry across Yemen
Operations Manager
Gloria Jean’s Coffees
10.2008 - 10.2010
- Company Overview: Gloria Jean’s Coffees is a franchised specialty coffeehouse company with 1000+ coffee houses in 39 markets worldwide https://www.gloriajeanscoffees.com/
- Managed operations of 3 outlets with a headcount of 60 ensuring delivery of exceptional customer service and achievement of sales targets
- Supervised operations including procurement, food and beverage preparation and food and beverage service ensuring maintenance of highest quality and food safety standards
- Participated in the development of marketing strategies and promotional campaigns to drive sales of Gloria Jean’s Coffees and deliver growth targets
- Maintained all operations related records, monitored store performance against targets, evaluated variances, implemented corrective actions, and produced weekly and monthly performance reports
- Led business expansion through opening of new outlets covering searching for and acquiring locations, managing all construction and fit outs, staffing and launch of stores
- Evaluated staff performance, identified training needs, and ensured delivery of required training and development for competency building and boosting of performance and productivity
- Gloria Jean’s Coffees is a franchised specialty coffeehouse company with 1000+ coffee houses in 39 markets worldwide https://www.gloriajeanscoffees.com/
Education
BA - Hospitality Management
BCU
01.1999 - 01.2003
BT - Hotel Arts
Nabatieh Technical School
01.1995 - 01.1998
Skills
Restaurant Operations
Food and Beverage
Supply Chain Management
Sourcing and Procurement
Operations Management
Quality and Food Safety
Marketing and Promotions
Staff Management and Training
Customer Service and Satisfaction
Stakeholder Relations
Teamwork and Leadership
Certification
HACCP Certification Level 1, 2, & 3, FHSA (High-Field), Nigeria, 2017
Previous Assignments
- Teacher – Hotel Management, Ecole Technique de Saida and Amlieh Technical School, Lebanon, 01/01/02, 12/31/07, Taught courses including F&B management, cost control, purchasing management and kitchen & service lab.
- Branch Manager, La Maison du Café, Soldier & Zalka, Lebanon, 01/01/01, 12/31/07, Started as waiter and progressed through Barista and Supervisor to Branch Manager.
- Head Waiter and Barista, Segafredo Italian Coffee Shop, Beirut, Lebanon, 01/01/98, 12/31/01
- Chef de Partie, Hotel Portemilio, Kaslik, Lebanon, 01/01/96, 12/31/98
Profile Summary - Summary
Versatile, resourceful, accomplished professional with 22 years of rich experience in the hospitality industry in the Middle East Africa. Experience covers management of restaurants of international brands like Domino’s Pizza, Cold Stone Creamery, Nando’s and Gloria Jean’s Coffees as well as industrial catering and camp services for clients in the oil and gas industry. Proven competence in the management of operations, supply chain, procurement, inventory management, menu architecture, budget administration, quality assurance, and food safety and customer service. Deft in collaborating with stakeholders, leading and motivating teams and delivering outstanding results through effective planning, resourcing and execution. Dedicated professional with strong work ethic, integrity and excellent communication, problem solving, decision making, planning and execution skills.
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 06/20/78
- Nationality: Lebanon
- Driving License: Lebanon, Qatar, Oman
- Marital Status: Married
Timeline
Managing Director
natnudO Foods
01.2025 - Current
Group Director of Supply chain and Supply Center, Warehouses, Logistics & Quality Assurance
Eat ‘N ’Go ltd
01.2015 - 01.2025
Operations Manager
Nando’s
09.2012 - 12.2014
Site Manager/Catering Manager
Yemen Catering & Services Ltd
11.2011 - 08.2012
Operations Manager
Gloria Jean’s Coffees
10.2008 - 10.2010
BA - Hospitality Management
BCU
01.1999 - 01.2003
BT - Hotel Arts
Nabatieh Technical School
01.1995 - 01.1998