SOLOMON RACHKARA
Edmonton,AB
Summary
Knowledgeable Sales and Marketing Executive with over 12 years of experience bringing planning and problem-solving abilities. Focused on maximizing resource utilization to support scalable operations and increase bottom-line profitability. Organized and systematic with natural relationship-building and leadership talents.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Director
Schole Education Services
Kampala, , Kampala
11.2019 - 05.2023
- Oversaw the overall P&L accountability, Revenue+EBITDA of the Organisation
- Developed action plans to ensure that all organizational objectives are met in a timely manner.
- Oversaw day-to-day operations of the company while coordinating with staff members.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers to maximize cost savings for the organization.
- Established performance standards and monitored progress towards achieving them.
- Monitored financial performance of the organization and initiated corrective actions as needed.
- Reviewed reports from departments to identify areas of improvement in operational efficiency.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to business operations.
- Created strategies for increasing revenue streams by leveraging existing customer relationships.
- Coordinated with senior leadership teams to develop long-term growth plans for the organization.
- Managed external communications such as press releases, media interviews.
- Analyzed industry trends to identify opportunities for expanding market share.
- Delivered outstanding educational outcomes year on year with support from the Chief Education Officer
- Directed strategic planning to develop and implement corporate goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
Head of Sales and Marketing
Tropical Bank
Kampala, , Kampala
10.2018 - 11.2019
- Developed and implemented sales and marketing strategies to increase revenue.
- Identified key target markets and developed growth plans for each market segment.
- Managed the development of new products, pricing structures, promotional materials, advertising campaigns, and other marketing initiatives.
- Created annual sales targets and monitored performance against goals.
- Analyzed customer data to identify trends in buying habits.
- Directed staff to create effective sales presentations that delivered maximum impact.
- Coordinated with external vendors to ensure successful execution of marketing campaigns.
- Developed relationships with media outlets to secure favorable coverage for company's products and services.
- Provided guidance on best practices in customer service management.
Senior Marketing Consultant
SOLANTIS SOLAR
Kampala, , Kampala
04.2018 - 07.2018
- Developed and implemented marketing strategies to increase brand recognition and customer loyalty.
- Generated reports on market trends, competitive analysis and customer feedback to inform strategic decisions.
- Conducted research to identify potential target markets and develop effective promotional strategies.
- Developed business plans for new product launches, including budgeting and timeline creation.
- Organized events such as trade shows, conferences and seminars to increase brand awareness.
- Coordinated with internal teams such as sales, finance and operations to ensure successful execution of marketing initiatives.
- Analyzed data from surveys, focus groups and other sources to assess customer needs and preferences.
- Managed online presence through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
- Implemented SEO tactics to improve website visibility in search engine rankings.
Country Business Manager
GEMS EDUCATION (AFRICA) LTD
Kampala, , Kampala
08.2016 - 03.2018
- Developed and implemented policies and procedures to improve operational efficiency.
- Managed a team of staff members, providing guidance and direction to ensure successful completion of projects.
- Conducted research on current industry trends to identify potential areas for improvement in business operations.
- Organized meetings with stakeholders to discuss objectives, strategies, and timelines for completing tasks.
- Created presentations to present findings from market research activities to senior management team.
- Provided training sessions for employees on new software systems used in business operations.
- Reviewed existing contracts with vendors and suppliers to ensure compliance with company standards.
- Assessed employee performance evaluations and recommended changes or improvements as needed.
- Recommended process improvements that would reduce costs while increasing productivity.
- Negotiated pricing agreements with vendors and suppliers based on organizational needs.
- Researched competitive landscape in order to develop strategic plans that would provide a competitive advantage over competitors.
Cluster Marketing Head
AIRTEL (U) LTD
Kampala,, Kampala
02.2015 - 07.2016
- Conducted market research to understand customer needs, preferences, industry trends and competition landscape.
- Improved Brand affinity through periodic checks to ensure the regional media channels are fully utilized for press, strategic interviews and Brand positioning
- Created clear Consumer Dashboards for the National Sales teams to refer to for all Market insights
- Launched and activated on ground promos to deliver full awareness in record time
- Created a sustainable retail engagement base to uptake of all promotional initiatives
- Ensured right branding/merchandising tailored for every retail outlet
- Ensured at least 40% share of retail space in-store and out-store through building of quality relationships with the retail segment
- Identified strategic partnerships and events in the regions to drive brand affinity and equity
- Continuously monitored competitors' activities in order maximize our market share.
- Worked closely with PR teams to ensure positive coverage of brand initiatives in the media outlets.
- Analyzed marketing data to identify trends and insights to inform decision making and optimize performance of campaigns.
- Managed budget for all marketing activities and tracked ROI for each campaign.
Territory Sales and Marketing Manager
AIRTEL (U) LTD
03.2011 - 01.2015
- Increased CMS (Customer Market Share) from 38% in 2011 to 46% in 2012
- Through right recruitment of commission-based Sales Executives, daily tracking of volumes, and consistent Retail engagement and visibility
- Managed and maintained a strong, robust direct sales team of 130 People, maintained 2 distributor R.O.I portfolios worth over 20,000$ per Month
- Transformed distribution at Retail Level by applying a scientific approach to Market sizing and Distributor/Outlet Mapping
- Expanded retail footprint from 3,650 to 5,755 by end of 2012 through quality retail acquisition, engagement and profit story
- Gross Revenues saw an Impressive 75% growth from 400 Million (160,000$) to more than 700 Million a month (280,000$), (Source: Centum/S&D/Marketing).
Regional Service Engineer
INCOMM THEN ZAIN (U) LTD
05.2007 - 02.2011
- Reduced churn by 20% in first year of employment through introduction of battery charging equipment that runs on solar for rural areas
- Increased average revenue per device by 10% in 1st Quarter of 2008
- Drafted business case for launch of 2 service shops in Northern Uganda in 2009/10
- Maintained 11% ROI from the two Service shops
- Business Model was adopted and replicated nationally by Zain (U) Ltd.
Education
BBA - Marketing
Ndejje University
Kampala, Uganda11.2016
Some College (No Degree) - Electronics and Electrical
Uganda Technical College.
Kampala, Uganda.Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Business Development
- Business Planning
- Mentoring and Training
- Public Relations
- Client Relationships
- Data Collection and Analysis
- Budget Management
- Sales Leadership
Accomplishments
- Exceeded enrollment goals by average of 11% year on year.
- Exceeded revenue goals by average of 14% year on year.
- Streamlined processes that significantly impacted efficiency and improved operations.
- Consistently maintained high parent satisfaction ratings with a NPS of 85%
- Maintained a net positive EBITDA throughout the Covid pandemic.
References
Partwell Nyandoro,
Shelters and Outreach worker - Rapid exit.
Hope Mission.
Phone, 780 42220218 Ext 326
partwell.nyandoro@hopemission.com
Proscovia Nabafu,
Director of Finance, Africa centre.
Phone, 780 2006915.
Proscovia.nabafu@africacentre.ca
Alexander Frimpong
Housing Support Worker, The Mustard Seed.
Fax, 7804285511
AlexanderFrimpong@theseed.ca
Timeline
Managing Director
Schole Education Services
11.2019 - 05.2023
Head of Sales and Marketing
Tropical Bank
10.2018 - 11.2019
Senior Marketing Consultant
SOLANTIS SOLAR
04.2018 - 07.2018
Country Business Manager
GEMS EDUCATION (AFRICA) LTD
08.2016 - 03.2018
Cluster Marketing Head
AIRTEL (U) LTD
02.2015 - 07.2016
Territory Sales and Marketing Manager
AIRTEL (U) LTD
03.2011 - 01.2015
Regional Service Engineer
INCOMM THEN ZAIN (U) LTD
05.2007 - 02.2011
BBA - Marketing
Ndejje University
Some College (No Degree) - Electronics and Electrical
Uganda Technical College.