John Murray
Personal Profile
Enthusiastic and capable of working from own initiative. I take pride in my work and enjoy a challenge. Always keen to apply my skills I am adaptable and push hard to achieve results.
Personal Detail
Date of Birth 20 November 1983
Mobile No. +971 (0)56 105 7748
E-Mail jj.murray2011@gmail.com
Nationality South African
Marital Status Married
Address JVT
District 7 F
Villa 20
Dubai
Education/Qualifications
1988 – Nov 2001 Reyno Park High School
GCSE English, GCSE Afrikaans, GCSE Geography, GCSE Mathematics,
GCSE Business & Economics, GCSE Science.
Jan 2002 – Dec 2005 Rotek Engineering – Mechanical Technician
Completing Apprenticeship in Mechanical Fitting and Turning
Career History
May 2014 – Present Henkel Polybit – Business Development & Specifications Manager
(Polybit are one of the leaders in foundation waterproofing all the way to roof waterproofing systems for any type of concrete works and any size of project. Polybit also has a comprehensive product system solution for many fields of application - from bonding and sealing products for tiles, windows, facades, roofs and floors to installation and fastening technologies.)
• Develop relationships with consultants and customer technical specialists. Work to provide best-fit solutions that are registered and pre approved, this involves detailed technical communication and understanding of the project requirements to anticipate and present the best solutions. Technical solutions are developed and fed to the sales team to limit objections and maximise product sales.
• Strategic development of customer base. Responsible for analysing sales results and actively targeting the sales team through focusing on key result areas. Focused and targeted business development has resulted in a monthly sales growth in waterproofing materials from 24MillionAED (May2014) to 35MillionAED (July2015) in the Dubai region. Similar results have been achieved in other product categories and regions.
• Developed a set of standard operating procedures, management reporting programmes and KPI’s. These were used to target and develop the business effectively and enhance efficiency. These maximised the use of available resources to achieve the required market penetration across the range of products and market sectors.
• Timely preparation and proofing of technical documents required for gaining client approvals. This involves the drafting of technical specifications, technical drawings, submission documentation and vendor registration documentation. Without this critical documentation prepared to a high standard it is unlikely that product approvals can be achieved.
• Analysis and evaluation of lab results and technical trials. Data is represented to provide detailed technical solutions and client quality assurance. All data is presented in ‘Construction Specification Institute’ formats to ensure full product acceptance and compliance with data presentation standards required by the industry.
• Partnering with research and development teams at Henkel Germany to develop new and improved products to meet the customer’s specifications. With an advanced team of chemical and materials engineers on hand we worked together to develop and test new products with advanced properties, these new products were engineered to meet the latest specifications and application methods. One such project involved me leading the team to produce a highly successful product range ‘Watertite Systems’.
Dec 2009 – May 2014 Fosroc LLC – Area Sales Manager
(Fosroc is a world leader in the delivery of tailored Constructive Solutions for virtually any type of construction project, combining high quality products, expert technical support, customer service and innovation. At the cutting edge of chemical technology, Fosroc specialise in sealants, waterproofing, concrete repair, grouts and anchors, concrete admixtures and pipeline coatings.)
• With continual target over achievement I am responsible for managing and conducting sales for a diverse customer base including construction, ready mix, building maintenance and civil engineering clients.
• Proven excellent organisational skills have been required to maintain a customer database and management reports. Management reports include call analysis to ensure focused time management, reporting on competition to ensure competitive advantage and examining sales history to ensure maximum profitability and to maximise return on investment.
• Strong relationships have been built with customers to ensure customer satisfaction. Identifying, developing and growing new customers is a key factor in over achievement and profitable business.
• Understanding of the commercial aspects of the business, customer base and market pricing gives me the initiative to formulate competitive and profitable offers to customers.
• In depth comprehensive knowledge of construction chemicals and products is required to specify materials and explain key benefits to customers. These products include concrete admixtures, grouts, anchors, concrete repair materials, industrial floor toppings, protective coatings, sealants, adhesives, resins and waterproof coatings.
• Communication and IT skills are used comprehensively to present products, report back on market intelligence to management team and to work with logistics team to ensure prompt delivery to meet with customers expectations.
July 2008 – Oct 2009 Sigma Engineering Products – Surface Preparation Specialist
(Sigma Enterprises LLC is an Engineering Technology company, which offers products and services across the GCC. Sigma supports the engineering equipment requirement of diverse industries including Civil Infrastructure, Industrial, Commercial Services, Oil & Gas, Education & Research, Mechanical & Electrical and Defence & Security.)
• Responsible for surface preparation sales, after sales care and customer support for the UAE. Developed a customer base from scratch including surface preparation contractors, main contractors, sub contractors and hire companies.
• A key player in developing a product range that has proved popular and successful. Benefits including improved reliability and profitability for both customer and supplier. This involved reporting and acting on feedback from customers, intensive product testing and negotiating distribution deals with suppliers.
• Good communication skills as well as a firm engineering understanding were required to train customers on the application, operation and maintenance of machinery. I undertook regular training with groups of operators as well as site supervisors to ensure that machinery was used safely as well as efficiently and to ensure total customer satisfaction.
• The role required working from own initiative to identify and approach potential customers. Within one year Sigma’s surface preparation customer base had more than doubled.
• Time management skills were required to ensure that customer meetings, demonstrations, presentations, deliveries and collections were all done in a timely manner in line with the customer’s expectations.
• An ability to hit deadlines was shown as sales presentations had to be prepared and presented in front of division management and sales peers once per month.
• A firm technical background was required to understand and explain the internal mechanics of the machine to both customers and maintenance fitters. This involves understanding key engineering principles and components including complex drive systems, mechanical advantage, electrical supplies, pulleys and gears, levers, fixings, loads and efficiency.
• Knowledge of construction materials was required in order to specify the best machine for the job and be able to offer advice on technique and the consumables.
• IT skills were required to prepare presentations for customers and sales meetings alike. All sales reports, market analysis and quotations were also prepared in an electronic paperless format with attention focused on accuracy and professional presentation.
Jan 2002 – Dec 2007 Rotek Engineering – Mechanical Technician
(Turbo Gen Services manages turbine, generator and auxiliary specialised and first line maintenance on all Eskom power stations. Services provided include the executing of preventative and corrective maintenance, continuous standby assistance and call out services on strategic plant.)
• Working within dangerous industrial environments I had a responsibility and duty of care for the safety of other personnel and juniors who were working with me.
• Working to very high tolerances I have a real appreciation for attention to fine detail and getting jobs done right the first time around.
• Working without supervision I was trusted to asses and carry out essential engineering works as required and procure the necessary materials for the job.
• Moving and operating very heavy machines and components required planning and working in an efficient and safe way. All jobs had to be planned in detail in advance of the operation.
• Understanding and reading technical drawings and engineering diagrams were required.
• During maintenance operations I was responsible for the quality of workmanship for both my self and others and the satisfactory reinstatement of machinery and components.
• Working to deadlines and insuring work was carried out correctly was important to avoid unnecessary and expensive plant downtime.
• Controlled and monitored parts and consumables inventory on day to day operations ensuring that goods were booked to the right job to ensure accurate cost control.
• Prepared reports on failures so that senior engineers could asses the nature of failures in order to provide better engineered solutions and reduce future downtime.
• Responsible for mentoring and training of apprentices’. This involved on the job training including health & safety, process, procedure, application, techniques and equipment operation as required. Proven results are shown as all apprentices’ passed basic training and moved on to qualify as artisans.
Training Courses Undertaken
• Advanced Microsoft Excel For Business (Microsoft)
• Practical Waterproofing Application (Henkel, Germany)
• Chemical Injection Systems (Henkel, Germany)
• Construction Chemicals (Fosroc LLC, CPD Certified)
• Concrete Repair & Restoration (Fosroc LLC, CPD Certified)
• Sealants (Fosroc LLC, CPD Certified)
• Waterproofing (Fosroc LLC, CPD Certified)
• Surface Preparation Techniques (Blastrac Ltd)
• Surface Preparation Machinery & Application (ScanMaskin Ltd)
• Construction Equipment & Application (Belle Group, Chartered Institute Of Building Approved Course)
• Safe Lifting & Rigging (The Skills Matrix)
Other Skills
• Information Technology - Microsoft Office including Word, Excel & PowerPoint.
• Languages – Fluent spoken & written in English, Portuguese & Afrikaans
• Full UAE driving license
Personal Interests
• A keen rugby player, I train with the Dubai Dragons twice per week.
• Outdoor activities including fishing, motor cycles, camping and desert safari.
• I enjoy foreign travel, culture and cuisine.
References
Simon Jevons (Former Line Manager)
Sigma Engineering Products – Senior Product Manager
Email: sijevons@me.com
Tel: +971 (0)50 900 2325
Wajdi Jawawdeh (Former Line Manager)
Fosroc – Regional Sales Manger
E-mail: wajdi.jawawdeh@wacker.com
Tel: +971 (0)50 558 6375