Ziad El Helou
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziad-el-helou-0bb57364
Senior Facilities Management and Project Leadership Professional
Accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience in facilities management, hospitality operations, and large-scale project delivery across the GCC and international markets. Proven expertise in managing multi-million-dollar budgets, optimizing operations, and exceeding KPIs in diverse industries, including oil
& gas, catering, and hospitality. Skilled at fostering high-performing teams, ensuring compliance with HSE and ISO standards, and driving strategic initiatives to enhance client satisfaction and operational excellence. Fluent in English, French and Arabic, with extensive experience working in culturally diverse
environments.
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Strategic Leadership: Visionary planning and goal execution. Lead the end-to-end delivery of
facilities management projects, ensuring they meet client expectations and company objectives.
• Facilities Management: Expertise in hard & soft services, HSE compliance.
• Project Management: End-to-end project delivery, risk assessment, and mitigation.
• Financial Oversight: Budget management, cost control, and profitability enhancement.
• Client Relationship Management: Serve as the primary liaison for clients, fostering strong relationships for satisfaction and long-term partnerships.
• Team Leadership: Mentoring and leading multi-departmental teams promoting best practices and ensuring high performance.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensuring adherence to local regulations, company policies, ISO Standards and health and safety standards.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
• Operational Excellence: Reduced operational costs by 15% at ECOLOG International while maintaining service quality.
• Project Leadership: Successfully managed $5M+ annual budgets and delivered large-scale FM projects on time and within budget.
• Client Retention: Increased client satisfaction scores by 25% through proactive engagement and service optimization at AA Group.
• Safety Compliance: Achieved zero safety incidents for four consecutive years by implementing rigorous HSE protocols.
• Previous achievements before 2011: Opening Restaurants in Lebanon like: Sushi Ko branches in Achrafieh, Le Noir Gemayzeh, Hamra, Verdun, Zouk, City Center and Procurement Center [1st
Sushi Procurement Center in the Middle East]. Everyday Café Restaurant (Dbayeh), Crystal (Mono), Central (Gemayzeh), Cuisine et Vin (Mtayleb), Chaudron Toulousain (Tabaris).
WORK EXPERIENCE
Ecolog International – Basrah, Iraq
Project Manager
Dec 2023 – Aug 2024
• Directed operations across multiple sites, overlooking departments including Front Office, Maintenance, Catering, Security, and Clinical Facilities, ensuring seamless service delivery to 2,000+ clients.
• Spearheaded cost optimization initiatives, reducing operational expenses by 15% without compromising service quality.
• Enhanced staff efficiency by 20% through targeted training and development programs.
• Maintained 100% compliance with HSE regulations and ISO standards, resulting in zero safety incidents.
AA Group of Catering Companies – Muscat, Oman
Resident & Facilities Manager
Oct 2017 – Oct-2021
• Represented the company strategically, leading operations across the southern area of Oman.
• Managed a team of 320+ employees, delivering services to over 1,800 clients across 860 building units and 72 porta cabins.
• Achieved a 20% increase in occupancy rates by leading extensive renovations and upgrades.
• Exceeded revenue targets by 10% through innovative marketing strategies and client engagement.
• Enhanced profitability by optimizing utilities management, contract negotiations, and cost control.
Gulf Catering Co. Services (GCC) – Basrah, Iraq
Site Manager
March 2023 – Nov 2016
• Directed daily operations for sites serving 3,600 clients across multiple locations, including Shell and ENI.
• Established KPIs, leading to a 30% improvement in staff performance and service delivery.
• Achieved compliance with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 22000:2015 standards, elevating operational excellence.
• Delivered a 20% reduction in lead times by revamping supply chain processes.
Metro Superstores – Ghazir, Lebanon
Inventory Control Team (ICT) Manager
Jan 2011 – Jan 2013
• Standardized inventory control operations across two malls, two supermarkets, and 23 express branches.
• Enhanced inventory accuracy by 25% through the development of a streamlined control system for 300,000+ items.
• Conducted internal audits and implemented new processes, reducing wastage by 18%.
• Improved interdepartmental collaboration by standardizing inventory rules and procedures.
EDUCATION
Bir Hassan Technical Institute – Lebanon – Master’s Degree – L.E.T. Hotel Management, Aug 2006
Dekwaneh Technical Institute – Lebanon – Higher Diploma – T.S.3 Hotel Management, Aug 2001
Dekwaneh Technical Institute – Lebanon – Bachelor’s Degree – B.T.3 Hotel Management, Aug 1998
AWARDS AND HONORS
Crisis Management Recognition – For leading cyclone emergency response in Oman (Mekunu, Luban, Hikka) – AA Group, Muscat, Oman, Oct 2021
Safety Dedication & Compliance during COVID-19 Pandemic – For maintaining full operations under the Ministry of Health guidelines – AA Group, Muscat, Oman, Sep 2021
Excellence in waste management – SHELL – Majnoon Oilfield, Basrah, Iraq, Jun 2004
TRAININGS AND CERTIFICATES
Level 2 Elementary Food Safety & HACCP, Feb 2020 | Intermediate HACCP Level 3, Sep 2018 | Elementary certificate of food safety & Hygiene, Nov 2017 – The Royal Environment Institute of Scotland (REHIS) – Muscat, Oman
ISO 22000:2015 | ISO 9001:2015 – Interserve
Effective Leadership Skills – National Hospitality Institute (NHI) – Muscat, Oman
Managing Facilities Management, BIFM Training – By INFORMA – Dubai, UAE
Leadership and Customer Service Excellence – by Dr. Naji Bejjani – Beirut, Lebanon
Trainings related to oil and gas: First Aider AHA, Fire Fighting, HSE, H2S Awareness, Defensive Driving.
LANGUAGE COMPETENCIES
Arabic: Native | English: Fluent | French: Fluent | Russian: Conversational
PERSONAL DETAILS
• Nationality: Lebanese
• Date of Birth: 16/01/1980
• Driving License: Valid two driving licenses, Lebanese and Omani.
REFERENCES
Available upon Request
Education
- 2004/2006
Masters - Hospitality Management at Bir Hassan Technical Instituite
- 1998/2001
Higher Diploma - Hospitality Management at Dekwaneh Technical Institute
- 1995 /1998
Bachelor - Hospitality Management at Dekwaneh Technical Institute
Experience
- Dec-2023 / Aug-2024
Project Manager at Ecolog International - Iraq
• Led operations for multiple facilities, overseeing housekeeping, catering, maintenance, utilities, safety and security, ensuring seamless service delivery.
• Managed a $1.5 million budget, driving cost-effective resource allocation and minimizing wastage.
• Developed and implemented training programs that improved employee compliance with HSE regulations, reducing workplace incidents by 25%.Key Achievements:
• Spearheaded operations across 10+ departments, including housekeeping, maintenance, catering, safety and security, leading to a 15% reduction in operational costs through process optimization and resource allocation.
• Exceeded contract expectations by maximizing ROI on P&L, asset management, and service delivery, ensuring that all projects were completed within budget and on schedule.
• Improved client satisfaction scores by 20% through consistent delivery of quality services, including ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and enhancing staff training programs.- Oct-2017 / Oct-2021
Resident & Facilities Manager at AA Group of Catering Companies - Oman
Company representative, strategic business leader of company operations in the southern area of Oman.
• Oversaw operations of a resort complex and a large workforce, ensuring compliance with safety, health, and regulatory standards.
• Improved operational efficiency by 43% by implementing new maintenance schedules and optimizing resource distribution.
• Managed relationships with key clients, resulting in 15% business growth in the region.Key Achievements:
• Managed P&L for operations across a large resort, overseeing 1800 clients accommodated in 860 building units and 72 portable cabins.
• Delivered cost savings of 18% by optimizing resource usage and renegotiating supplier contracts.
• Led a team of over 320 employees, developing leadership programs that resulted in a 25% increase in staff retention.
• Improved service delivery through regular inspections, which led to a 30% reduction in client complaints and improved guest satisfaction ratings.
• Providing managerial, logistic and Human Resource support for other departments within the group and services for various rigs and sites available in the same area which served property-wide strategy of delivering products and services meeting the needs of our clients and exceeding KPI expectations and promoting by that the company image.
• Lead on identifying & analyzing opportunities to obtain new contracts in line with our strategic aims and lead on securing new/retaining existing contracts.
• Opened new dining halls and restaurants, renovated facilities, enhancing revenue streams by 25%.
• Conducted regular inspections, ensuring adherence to HACCP and ISO food safety standards.
• Successfully resolved client complaints by implementing proactive operations procedures.
• Delivered training and safety drills, enhancing staff awareness and compliance.
• Achieving site safety reputation after managing crisis situations during cyclone storms: “Mekunu” (25-05-2018), “Luban” (08-10-2018), and “HIKKA” (24-09-2019).- Mar-2013 / Nov-2016
Site Manager at Gulf Catering Company - GCC Iraq
Oversaw compound operations, supplying life support services and managing contracts with various oil and gas companies.
• Managed the commissioning of various camps, overseeing operations for sites serving over 3,600 daily meals across multiple locations.
• Implemented ISO 9001, HACCP, and other industry standards, improving service quality and safety compliance.
• Led logistical operations and cost control measures that resulted in 25% cost savings across multiple camps.
• Implementing a system to train teams across departments, fostering collaboration and skill development.Key Achievements:
• Managed multiple Oil & Gas camp operations, delivering 3600 meals per day while ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 and HACCP standards.
• Introduced process improvements in inventory control, achieving a 10% reduction in food wastage and ensuring continuous service during high-demand periods.
• Coordinated logistics and operational support for remote sites, leading to a 20% improvement in operational efficiency and a 15% reduction in downtime across various camps.- Jan-2011 / Jan-2013
Inventory Control Team (ICT) Manager at Metro Superstores - Lebanon
Setting the standard of inventory control operation within two malls including two supermarkets and 23 chain of mini-markets (express branches) available in gas stations spread all over the Lebanese territory.
• Developed an inventory control system for over 300,000 items, improving stock accuracy by 25%.
• Conducted internal audits and training for department heads, enhancing compliance.
• Coordinated interdepartmental processes, streamlining inventory and audit protocols.
• Reducing loss of products by 10% and theft by 15% through proper control of stock quantities, improving products display on shelves and monitoring storage conditions in stores and warehouses.- Jan-2009 / Dec-2010
Operations Manager at SUSHI KO - Lebanon
Promoted within a short time period from Zalka Branch Manager to Area Manager of Le Noir & ABC Branch; then to Operations Manager.
Challenges Faced:
– Opening in the same day Sushi Ko Verdun & Sushi Ko procurement center (the first Sushi procurement center in Lebanon). Adding these branches to the existing three branches (Sushi Ko ABC, Zalka & Zouk).
Opening afterwards Sushi Ko Le Noir, Hamra, and City Center. As well as opening two branches for Sushi Ko in Rumania Bucharest. Achieving by that the objective of being the Sushi market leaders between all Sushi restaurants in Lebanon.
– Negotiating Contracts with suppliers and improving the quality standards of purchased product by implementing ISO and HACCP standards & purchasing products from certified suppliers.
– Developing Sushi Ko SOP’s for all branches to follow. Training all new joining staff in Sushi Ko training center before joining their assigned outlets.
– Reducing costs by organizing the supply chain operation, implementing GPS tracking of the fleet and ensuring drivers commitment with the delivery schedules.
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