Lalji Bhai Patel — CEO

🌍 Global Supply Chain & Procurement Leader | FMCG • Retail • Manufacturing | Africa & Asia I am a results-driven Supply Chain & Procurement Executive with 17+ years of global experience transforming supply chain operations across FMCG, Retail, Supermarkets, Hospitality, and Manufacturing in Africa and India. 💡 What I do: Build resilient, cost-efficient supply chains that deliver ≥12% annual savings through strategic sourcing, supplier diversification, and contract optimization. Optimize logistics and inventory to achieve OTIF ≥97%, inventory accuracy ≥98%, and DOH at 30–45 days. Lead ERP/WMS transformations (SAP S/4HANA, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365) to enable real-time visibility, compliance, and efficiency. Develop global supplier networks (Brazil, Argentina, China, India, EU, MEA) to secure competitive pricing, quality assurance, and risk continuity. 🔑 Problems I solve: High procurement costs → Deliver sustainable cost reductions with long-term indexed/hedged contracts. Supply disruptions → Establish alternate sourcing, risk hedging, and multi-modal logistics continuity plans. Quality & compliance risks → Enforce QA protocols, pre-shipment inspections, and zero-violation governance. Inefficiency & delays → Implement digital supply chain solutions and predictive demand planning. ✅ Known for strategic vision, operational discipline, and multicultural leadership, I have successfully managed 1200 MT/day dispatches, 10,000+ SKUs, and global teams of 100–170+, ensuring supply chain resilience, cost competitiveness, and sustainable business growth. 📩 Let’s connect if you’re looking for a high-impact Head of Supply Chain/Procurement Leader to deliver efficiency, cost savings, and growth-ready supply chain transformation.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Supply Chain and Procurement expert with extensive experience in FMCG and Manufacturing sectors.

Experience: 8 yrs 11 mos

Skills

Supply Chain Management
Procurement

Career Highlights

Achieved 11% cost savings on global sourcing.
Transformed supply chains into digitally intelligent operations.
Led teams of 100+ across multiple countries.

Work Experience

Kerchanshe Group

Supply Chain Director (1 yr 5 mos)

Head Of Supply Chain Manager (3 yrs 4 mos)

Gourock Zambia Limited

Head of Supply Chain Manager (5 yrs 7 mos)

Crown Group, Uganda

Head – Warehouse & Procurement (8 yrs 7 mos)

Education

Bachelor of Arts - BA at Gujarat University

at H.S.C., from Gujarat Secondary Education Board, Gandhinagar, India

at S.S.C., from Gujarat Secondary Education Board, Gandhinagar, India

Master of Business Administration - MBA at MBA in Supply Chain Management / Logistics / Operations, MS University, India – 2008

Production & Inventory Management / Certified Supply Chain Professional at APICS CPIM / CSCP (Certified in Production & Inventory Management / Certified Supply Chain Professional) MS University – 2010

Agricultural and Food Products Processing at ISO 9001 & 22000 Standards for Agro-Manufacturing – SGS – 2022

at ISO 22000:2018 Auditor Training (Food Safety Management) – 2023

at Diploma – International Shipping & Port Management – 2024

Lalji Bhai Patel

CEO

Uganda8 yrs 11 mos experience

Highly Stable

Key Highlights

Achieved 11% cost savings on global sourcing.
Transformed supply chains into digitally intelligent operations.
Led teams of 100+ across multiple countries.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Supply Chain and Procurement expert with extensive experience in FMCG and Manufacturing sectors.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Supply Chain ManagementProcurement

Other Skills

A Grasp of Economics and Market DynamicsAbility to see the big pictureAble to manage and release stressBusiness Decision MakingCommunicationComputer Literacy and Technology Skills.Cost ControlCustoms ComplianceData AnalyticsDecision-MakingDependabilityDistribution LogisticsERP AutomationERP Navision Dynamics 365 Business CentralEthical Decision Making

About

Experience

8 yrs 11 mos

Total Experience

5 yrs 7 mos

Average Tenure

3 yrs 4 mos

Current Experience

Kerchanshe group

2 roles

Supply Chain Director

Jan 2025 – Present · 1 yr 5 mos · On-site

Head Of Supply Chain Manager

Feb 2023 – Present · 3 yrs 4 mos · On-site

🌍 Kerchanshe Group – Uganda / Rwanda
Head of Supply Chain | Manufacturing • FMCG • Retail • Supermarkets • Hospitality
📅 Feb 2023 – Present | 💰 Annual Business: USD 850M | ⚙️ Dispatch Volume: 1,000 MT/Day | 👥 Team: 500+ | 🌍 Operations: Uganda, Rwanda & East Africa
As Head of Supply Chain at East Africa’s leading agro-industrial and FMCG conglomerate, I manage multi-country operations integrating procurement, logistics, warehousing, and compliance — enabling seamless product movement across manufacturing, retail, and hospitality sectors.
💡 Strategic Leadership
Drive strategic sourcing of grains, FMCG inputs, and packaging — achieving double-digit cost savings via supplier diversification and indexed pricing.
Oversee regional logistics & distribution, optimizing fleet and warehouse performance to maintain OTIF ≥97%.
Lead ERP & WMS automation (SAP S/4HANA), ensuring visibility, control, and inventory accuracy ≥98%.
Embed supplier governance & ESG compliance, promoting sustainability and ethical sourcing.
Mentor 500+ team members, aligning supply chain strategy with finance, operations, and sales.
🏆 Key Achievements
✅ Achieved 11% cost savings on wheat & rice imports via global sourcing.
✅ Reduced shipment lead times by 20% using real-time logistics tracking.
✅ Lowered customer complaints by 40% through vendor quality benchmarking.
✅ Attained forecast accuracy of 88% via AI-driven planning.
✅ Maintained zero audit violations and 15+ months accident-free operations.
✅ Enhanced working capital through optimized stock and inventory turnover.
✅ Cut border clearance time by 25% through standardized compliance.
🚀 Impact
Positioned Kerchanshe Group’s supply chain as a digitally intelligent, cost-optimized, and sustainable operation, enabling 1,000 MT/day throughput, USD 850M+ annual turnover, and resilient supply continuity across East Africa.

SAP S/4HANALogistics ManagementSupplier DiversificationStrategic SourcingInventory ManagementERP Automation+2

Gourock zambia limited

Head of Supply Chain Manager

May 2017 – Dec 2022 · 5 yrs 7 mos · Ndola, Copperbelt, Zambia

🌍 Gourock Zambia Ltd – Zambia
Head of Supply Chain Management | FMCG • Manufacturing • Retail • Hospitality
📅 May 2017 – Dec 2022 | 💰 Annual Turnover: USD 85M | ⚙️ Production Output: 500 MT/Day | 🚛 Distribution: 11 Regional Hubs | 👥 Team: 130+ Staff
As Head of Supply Chain Management, I led end-to-end procurement, warehousing, manufacturing logistics, and distribution operations. Focused on digital transformation, cost optimization, and operational resilience to power multi-sector FMCG growth across Zambia and regional markets.
💡 Strategic Leadership Highlights
Built an integrated digital supply chain linking procurement, warehousing, and logistics through ERP & WMS automation for 99% visibility.
Negotiated global supplier contracts (India, China, Brazil), ensuring price stability and reducing forex exposure.
Improved forecast accuracy to 90%+, minimizing excess inventory and emergency buys.
Ensured 96%+ customs audit success across ZRA & EAC through strong documentation and compliance.
Aligned sourcing, finance, and operations for seamless production flow.
Mentored 130+ staff, fostering ownership, innovation, and accountability.
🏆 Key Achievements
✅ Saved USD 210K+ annually via strategic sourcing and vendor consolidation.
✅ Improved OTIF from 89% → 97% through route redesign and fleet optimization.
✅ Reduced emergency procurement by 42% using MRP-driven planning.
✅ Enhanced warehouse accuracy to 99% with barcode-enabled WMS.
✅ Consolidated supplier base (65 → 40), cutting overheads by 15%.
✅ Reduced port demurrage & penalties by 50% with proactive clearance.
✅ Maintained zero stock-outs during peak demand seasons.
✅ Raised employee engagement to 87% with structured upskilling.
🚀 Impact
Transformed Gourock Zambia Ltd’s supply chain into a digitally connected, cost-efficient, and agile operation, sustaining USD 85M+ annual turnover and 500 MT/day output with market-leading reliability across Zambia’s FMCG and manufacturing sectors.

ERP AutomationSupplier Contracts NegotiationForecast AccuracyCustoms ComplianceInventory ManagementSupply Chain Management+1

Crown group, uganda

Head – Warehouse & Procurement

Sep 2008 – Apr 2017 · 8 yrs 7 mos · Uganda

🌍 Crown Group – Uganda
Head of Manufacturing, Warehouse & Procurement | Paints • Construction Materials • Industrial Products
📅 Sep 2008 – Apr 2017 | 💰 Annual Business: USD 40M | ⚙️ Plant Output: 283 MT/Day | 🚛 Distribution: 12 Branches | 👥 Team: 130 Staff (30 Direct)
As Head of Manufacturing, Warehouse & Procurement, I led complete operations — from production and sourcing to logistics and regional distribution. Focused on plant efficiency, cost optimization, and uninterrupted supply across Uganda and East Africa.
💡 Strategic Leadership
Directed integrated manufacturing, procurement & warehouse operations for paints, coatings, and construction materials.
Implemented MRP & ERP automation, aligning production, inventory, and procurement to demand.
Managed supplier & import logistics, ensuring on-time delivery across 5,000+ SKUs.
Introduced WMS & barcoding, boosting inventory accuracy to 98%.
Led 130+ staff, driving lean culture, safety, and performance.
🏆 Key Achievements
✅ Achieved 9% annual cost savings through sourcing & supplier consolidation.
✅ Raised plant efficiency by 12% via lean production initiatives.
✅ Reduced stock-outs to <2% through MRP-based planning.
✅ Improved inventory accuracy to 98% with barcoding & WMS.
✅ Cut customs lead time by 25% and freight costs by 7%.
✅ Maintained zero audit violations for 7 consecutive years.
✅ Shortened procurement cycle to 4 days via ERP workflows.
✅ Sustained zero downtime during major supply disruptions.
🚀 Impact
Transformed Crown Group Uganda’s manufacturing and logistics into a lean, automated, and resilient operation, sustaining USD 40M+ annual business with 283 MT/day output and seamless East African market coverage.