Abdullah Shaikh

Commercially focused international operations and supply chain executive with 25+ years of leadership experience delivering transformation, operational excellence, and profitable growth across FMCG, manufacturing, logistics, and distribution environments. Proven track record leading complex multi-site operations and global supply chain networks across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. Extensive expertise spanning end-to-end supply chain, S&OP, logistics optimisation, manufacturing operations, customer service, procurement, and business transformation.

Recognised for combining strategic leadership with operational execution to deliver large-scale cost optimisation, service improvement, organisational turnaround, and supply chain resilience within highly matrixed multinational organisations including Associated British Foods and Kellogg Company. Experienced operating at Board and Executive Leadership Team level with responsibility for budgets exceeding £185m, international operational footprints, and teams of 350+ across complex operational environments.

Global Supply Chain Planning, Customer Service & Logistics Director - AB World Foods - International

(2022-11)

Executive leadership responsibility for global supply chain, logistics, customer service, planning, and S&OP operations across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and ANZ regions. Oversight of international manufacturing and sourcing partnerships across Vietnam, China, and India.

• Delivered the strongest volume and profit performance in company history despite Brexit, Covid-19 disruption, global shipping instability, and industrial action.
• Designed and embedded global S&OP framework improving service performance by 7% while strengthening long-term capacity alignment and forecasting accuracy.
• Delivered £9m logistics and warehousing savings through international network redesign and strategic freight renegotiation.
• Reduced SKU portfolio complexity by 22%, unlocking £5m+ working capital and improving operational efficiency.
• Sponsored ERP and digital planning transformation programmes improving operational visibility and decision-making capability.
• Delivered £6.9m value creation in Year 1 with additional £8m+ improvement pipeline underway.
• Strengthened international quality governance, HSE standards, and operational controls across global manufacturing partners.

Head of Supply Chain & S&OP - AB World Foods - International

(2019-10 - 2022-10)

Led the largest cross-functional operational area within ABF Grocery with responsibility for supply chain planning, S&OP, ERP implementation, and strategic transformation initiatives across a £330m business.

• Successfully stabilised and rebuilt underperforming planning and operational teams following organisational restructure.
• Delivered £6.9m end-to-end operational savings within Year 1.
• Implemented global cost-to-serve model enabling improved commercial decision-making and profitability analysis.
• Partnered closely with Board leadership across finance, commercial, and operations functions to support strategic planning and growth initiatives.

Senior Leadership Roles (Multiple Positions) - Kellogg Company - International

(1996-01 - 2019-12)

Progressed through a series of increasingly senior leadership positions spanning operations, logistics, manufacturing, commercial leadership, field sales, and transformation management. Key Roles: Commercial Director, UK Snacks; Head of UK Field Sales & New Business; Head of Speciality Channel; Head of UK & ROI Distribution; European Centre of Excellence Lead.

• Secured €110m strategic investment supporting Pringles manufacturing expansion and capacity growth.
• Delivered £34m incremental sales growth through national field transformation strategy.
• Generated €22m operational benefit across European manufacturing optimisation programmes.
• Improved customer service performance from 92.3% to 98.7% across UK logistics operations.
• Delivered £11m logistics savings through automation, operational redesign, and distribution optimisation.
• Led acquisition integration and operational support activity across Egypt and Middle East operations.

Masters (Hons) - Logistics Management - University of Salford

Bachelor (Hons) - Transport & Distribution - University of Huddersfield