Operations Director/Co-Founder

Logistics, Shipping & Operations

A dynamic and performance-oriented business management leader with a proven track record of 18+ years of in sales & marketing and procurement while working with organisations operating in industries ranging from education, loyalty marketing, travel and management consulting across the Asia Pacific region. By leveraging on the extensive experience in business marketing and sales management leadership, proved the skills as a resourceful, methodical and result-driven professional by consistently achieving KPIs, leading pivotal projects across strategic, operational and marketing initiatives while managing geographically, culturally and functionally diverse teams. Adept in steering organisations to high revenue growth by fostering key stakeholder partnerships to fortify the brand presence in new markets. As a seasoned negotiator and sound communicator, establishing clear value propositions, negotiating win-win transactions and designing robust growth strategies.

Apr 2019 - Present
Founded in 2019, AWET Pte. Ltd is a privately owned organisation offering business consulting services in the areas of HR Payroll, Remittance and Payment Solutions. In addition, the organisation provides Change Management Consulting and Media Strategy Solutions.
Operations Director/Co-Founder, Singapore
As a Operations Director with AWET Pte. Ltd., currently associated with a local Academy, a subsidiary of an adult learning insititute on a consulting project as a senior consultant and Commercial Director.
• Overseeing the transformation of businesses internally by redefining the business model, restructuring the team and managing the P&L of the company.
• Tasked to set up a new company and achieve the registration of the business by ensuring all legal requirements are met.
• Establishing the new company as the digital content creation and Virtual Reality arm of the business for the blended learning and development products of the business.
• Launching the Diploma and Advanced Diploma Courses and while creating new commercial conference titles related to the Fintech industry, Cloud, AI and Data Analytics developments and process automation advancements.
Notable Achievements
• Initially hired to restructure the team and add two new departments for event management and sponsorship, the role has expanded to include a holistic approach to business transformation internally by redefining the business model.
• By accomplishing a holistic transformation of the business, set to increase the revenue from S$0.8M in 2019 to a budgeted S$2.5M in 2020.

Feb 2018 - Apr 2019
Established for more than 25 years, the Clifton Group is one of Australia's most respected venue solutions provider in with clients ranging from government to Fortune 500 companies to SMEs.
General Manager, Singapore
Engaged in developing and executing strategies to generate growth and, maximise profitability and capital value of the company within all service groups. Owned and delivered on local digital and offline marketing strategies and initiatives.
• Identified, developed and commercialised new innovative services and product offerings.
• Maximised the performance of sales and operations teams with recruitment, training, coaching and management activities.
• Optimised and owned the working capital, CAPEX and cash flow of venues.
• Collaborated with relevant managers to ensure seamless interaction across the new business signing to delivery of services.
• Organised networking and social events to facilitate business opportunity generation.
Notable Achievements
• Reduced revenue deficit by 30% in the first three months from S$1M to S$690,000 and undertook additional responsibilities of Western Australia region.
• Improved revenues by 15% translating to S$300,000 in the first half of FY 2019 - from June 2018 to December 2018
• Managed to sign new contracts with PwC, SAP and Amazon Web Services at 20% higher rates while maintaining the same volume of business in 2019.

General Manager

is an American car rental company based in Estero, Florida that operates 10,200 corporate and franchisee locations internationally.
Director - South Asia, Singapore
Accountable to spearhead the Asia Pacific commercial and digital marketing activities to deliver profitable growth.
• Conceptualised and marketed innovative offerings to address customer needs in the Asia Pacific region.
• Identified, implemented and led all strategic, commercial and marketing plans for higher profitability and brand equity.
• Created and leveraged on new business opportunities in South Asia to increase the market share.
• Collaborated with regional and global marketing teams to spearhead and support local, regional and global initiatives.
• Orchestrated the sales network to deliver strategic outcomes in the business plans.
• Engaged in preparing and forecasting annual sales & marketing budgets while managing the financial performance of the South Asia business.
• Explored, presented and executed M&A initiatives in South Asia.
• Jointly implemented the enterprise-wide management tool along with other suppliers of clients.
Notable Achievements
• Consistently exceeded revenue growth targets of eight countries with an additional 40% translating to S$10M for 2016.
• Opened two new markets of India & Vietnam in 2017, which contributed another 20% to the total revenue of S$2M.
• Hired a whole new team in Singapore and oversaw the revamp of team structure across nine countries.

Director - South Asia, Singapore

One of the largest global professional services firms, EY, is a multinational organisation headquartered in London, England, United Kingdom.
Assistant Director, Singapore
Responsible for managing EY's strategic meetings management program in the Asia Pacific and driving best practices and service innovations across the business through cross-functional partnerships.
• Collaborated with various EY Asia Pacific Leaders on business reviews and case studies.
• Nurtured vital stakeholder relationships to facilitate the business in managing costs.
• Produced, implemented and maintained the Asia Pacific Corporate Meetings Policy.
• Ensured compliance with EY standardised contracts and framework agreements.
• Attended industry conferences and organised forums with peers to enable extensive knowledge sharing.
• Coordinated with vendors on conducting formal periodic contractual performance and business reviews.
• Managed and maintained internal enterprise-wide travel and expense management tool.
Notable Achievements
• Executed stop-gap measures while exceeding the savings target by an additional 5%, saving a total of S$1M within a year.
• Assisted in setting up shared services centres in India and the Philippines by interviewing candidates and hiring over 60 people in both countries.
• Set up procedures and workflow to contribute to internal savings targets.

Assistant Director, Singapore

Jan 2014 - May 2015
Diners World Travel was established in 1972 to cater exclusively to the travel needs of Diners Club members and associated companies. In 1977, the company widened its scope of activities to include the general public and commercial, industrial enterprises.
Head - Corporate Sales, Singapore
Managed a team of six sales and account managers to ensure profitable activities. Integrated technological innovations into the current business model, helping enhance service offerings.
• Established sales objectives by forecasting and developing annual sales quotas.
• Orchestrated national digital marketing programs across various trade and media channels.
• Maintained sales volume, marketing mix, and selling price by staying current with supply and demand trends.
• Established and adjusted market strategies by monitoring costs, competition, and cash flows.
• Maintained the sales staff at a national level by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees.
• Oversaw annual profit and loss budget of the corporate sales and marketing teams.
• Created national sales staff retention strategies by counselling and guiding employees and appraising their performance.
• Maintained professional and industry recognition by attending trade workshops and participating in industry events.
• Championed the enterprise-wide online booking tool as a streamlined, cost-effective tool for travel bookings to clients.
Notable Achievements
• Doubled sales performance from the previous year, achieving S$1M in new contracts.
• Re-secured three-year contracts with clients worth over S$10M per annum.
• Successfully interviewed, hired and trained a new team of sales and account managers with four new headcounts.
• Established a new 'meetings and events' division which generated an additional stream of S$1M of new revenue.

Head - Corporate Sales

Jan 2013 - Dec 2013
With a network that comprises over 120 countries, HRG provides unparalleled global expertise worldwide.
Regional Sales Manager, Singapore
As a Regional Sales Manager, secured new business and delivered revenue growth in line with the global revenue target.
• Delivered a consultative approach to driving technological and service innovations for clients.
• Increase client satisfaction and loyalty through effective implementation of account management strategies.
• Observed industry trends and recommended best-practices through case studies and business reviews.
• Oversaw various internal departments to ensure smooth implementation and execution of client programs.
• Built multi-level business relationships with each prospective client to help align objectives and strategy.
• Spearheaded internal teams as part of the RFP/relationship-building process.
• Offered leadership across various projects and developed innovative client solutions.
Notable Achievements
• Exceeded annual sales targets by securing a three-year regional contract with VISA Inc. valued at S$5M within six months.

Regional Sales Manager

Jan 2011 - Dec 2012
CWT is a travel management company that manages business travel, meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions, and handles event management. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company reported US$23B in total transaction volume in 2018.
Regional Manager - Asia Pacific, Singapore
Collaborated with seven regional leaders to spearhead and ensure data and process consistencies, resolve inherent issues and implement continuous improvement plans.
• Cultivated lasting relationships with multiple client stakeholders.
• Monitored industry trends, conceptualised GTM strategies and developed business case studies on proprietary innovations.
• Engaged in optimising the regional revenue while undertaking profit and loss responsibilities.
• Headed and participated in all regional projects and client retention strategies.
• Drove Asia Pacific marketing initiatives across digital and traditional channels.
• Imparted support to global sales and program management teams across client strategy, policy, pricing and marketing.
• Managed vendor relationships and negotiations on behalf of clients.
• Featured and implemented cloud-based enterprise-wide expense management tools (SaaS).
Notable Achievements
• Led seven country teams to exceed new sales volume targets by 5% in 2011 (S$15M) and 23% (S$19M) in 2012.
• Oversaw the rollout of internal CRM tool across the seven countries.
• Headed the integration of event management platform along with the backend finance system.

Regional Manager - Asia Pacific

American Express Global Business Travel is a multinational travel and meetings program management company headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, US.
Business Development Manager, Singapore
Supervised a team of three operational staff through the sales and implementation process.
• Allocated internal resources and departments to implement client change management programs.
• Directed the regional marketing in the context of media, trade and communications initiatives and strategies.
• Fostered relationships with the top 50 corporate clients.
• Planned and monitored service level agreements along with the scope of work solutions.
• Oversaw the profit and loss budget while maintaining a high level of customer service.
• Participated in trade and industry events as a subject matter expert to represent the organisation.
• Up-sold the enterprise-wide expense management cloud-based systems (SaaS).
Notable Achievements
• Led a team of three to exceed gross margin targets by 20% translating into a total of S$350,000.

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Business Development Manager, Singapore

Business Development Manager

Find out detailed information about Marcus Tan, Operations Director/Co-Founder in Singapore, X1

Marcus Tan: Operations Director/Co-Founder in Singapore, X1

Marcus Tan

University of Manchester