Mr. Irfan Qureshi: A Visionary Leader in Supply Chain and Manufacturing Excellence
Mr. Irfan Qureshi, a seasoned professional in the field of supply chain management, manufacturing, and procurement, has established himself as a visionary leader in his domain. With over 17 years of experience in various strategic and operational roles within multinational corporations (MNCs), he has played a key role in transforming business operations globally. His profound expertise in Sales & Operations Planning, Lean Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Total Quality Management, Procurement Management, and Continuous Improvement processes has made him an invaluable asset to British American Tobacco (BAT), where he currently holds the position of Global Technology Manager.
In this article, we delve into Mr. Irfan Qureshi’s professional journey, his qualifications, key achievements, and his ongoing contributions to the global business landscape.
Mr. Irfan Qureshi: A Brief Overview
Mr. Irfan Qureshi’s impressive career is marked by a series of leadership roles in multinational companies, primarily at BAT. His expertise spans across supply chain management, operational strategy, and process optimization. His leadership style is grounded in building high-performance teams, implementing efficient systems, and driving business transformations in international markets.
Currently serving as the Global Technology Manager at BAT in London, Mr. Qureshi has a rich history of driving significant cost savings, system implementations, and operational improvements across the regions he has worked in.
Early Career and Education
Born and raised in Pakistan, Mr. Irfan Qureshi’s passion for engineering and management led him to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He completed his Bachelor of Engineering (BE) at the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, from 1990 to 1995. This academic foundation laid the groundwork for his later career in manufacturing and industrial operations.
Before stepping into the world of supply chain and management, he also completed his schooling at Saint Paul’s Cambridge School in Rawalpindi, where he specialized in Physical Sciences. His early education honed his analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities, essential traits that contributed to his later success in complex business operations.
Career Progression and Experience
Mr. Qureshi’s professional journey began in the early 1990s at British American Tobacco, Pakistan, where he worked in various positions, including Quality Assurance (QA) Manager, Primary Manager, and Production Manager. His role primarily involved overseeing the production and quality processes, ensuring that the company adhered to its high standards. These early roles gave him a deep understanding of the core operations of manufacturing plants, quality control, and procurement.
As Mr. Qureshi’s expertise grew, so did his career trajectory. His leadership and strategic planning skills were quickly recognized, leading to his promotion to more senior roles. He moved to Tehran, Iran, in 2003 to take on the role of Project Manager at BAT’s Tehran Factory. His innovative work included designing production lines, importing machines, establishing local supplier networks, and improving the facility’s waste management practices. This period of his career laid the foundation for his ability to manage large-scale, international projects.
From 2005 to 2007, Mr. Qureshi further enhanced his experience by taking on the role of Head of Demand Chain in Iran. During this time, he led operations in line with BAT’s business strategies, developed relationships with local stakeholders, and contributed to the company’s overall growth in the region.
His next major international move took him to Bangladesh and Singapore, where he served as Head of Manufacturing. Here, he successfully implemented systems to optimize the workforce, reduce costs, and improve manufacturing practices. One of his notable achievements in these roles was reducing workforce numbers by 41%, resulting in significant cost savings for the company.
Between 2011 and 2018, Mr. Qureshi continued to excel in senior roles, including Head of Manufacturing in Singapore and Manufacturing Development Manager in London. In these positions, he played a crucial part in integrating new technologies and systems into BAT’s operations, further solidifying his reputation as a global technology leader.
Key Achievements and Contributions
Mr. Irfan Qureshi’s career is dotted with numerous accomplishments, each reflecting his ability to drive transformation and achieve measurable results. Below are some of his most notable contributions:
1. Cost Savings through Lean Manufacturing
In his role as Head of Manufacturing at BAT’s Bangladesh facility, Mr. Qureshi spearheaded a lean manufacturing initiative that resulted in significant cost savings. By implementing bench-mark crewing for make-pack modules, he reduced the workforce by 41%, which led to an annual wage bill reduction of GBP 2.3 million. Additionally, he delivered cost savings of GBP 1 million by recycling waste and by-products.
2. Optimizing Supply Chain and Procurement Practices
As Head of Planning & Procurement in Islamabad, Mr. Qureshi delivered substantial P&L savings through his innovative strategies in wrapping materials and indirect spend. He developed alternative local suppliers for print materials, aluminum foil, and polypropylene, ensuring the continuity of the supply chain while driving down costs. His secondary network logistics study led to a more optimized logistics and warehousing process, further enhancing efficiency.
3. Successful Project Management in New Markets
One of Mr. Qureshi’s most significant achievements came when he served as the AsPac Agency Consolidation Project Manager in Hong Kong. He designed a creative agency structure that established strategic development hubs in Singapore and Malaysia. The successful completion of the project resulted in an annual saving of GBP 2.1 million for BAT.
4. Leadership in Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement
Throughout his career, Mr. Qureshi has shown an exceptional ability to lead teams and inspire innovation. He has been integral in implementing total quality management practices, continuous improvement processes, and the successful integration of new systems to improve operational performance across various manufacturing plants. His leadership has resulted in enhanced productivity, reduced waste, and improved quality across multiple markets.
Licenses & Certifications
In addition to his extensive practical experience, Mr. Qureshi has continually developed his professional skills through various certifications and licenses. Some of the key certifications he holds include:
- AMPLIFY – Accelerating New Categories Capabilities: A program designed to enhance leadership in new product categories, awarded by BAT.
- 7 Essential Learnings: A certification that highlights his expertise in essential leadership principles at BAT.
- Moving Past Change Fatigue to the Growth Edge: A LinkedIn certification that further complements his professional development in leadership and managing change in dynamic environments.
These certifications reflect Mr. Qureshi’s commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends and leadership practices.
Conclusion
Mr. Irfan Qureshi’s career serves as an inspiring testament to the impact of visionary leadership in the global business landscape. With a track record of driving operational excellence, cost savings, and transformational leadership across various international markets, he continues to set high standards for his peers. His strategic approach to supply chain management, procurement, and manufacturing will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy in the companies he has worked with, particularly British American Tobacco.
As the Global Technology Manager at BAT, Mr. Qureshi’s contributions are crucial to the company’s ongoing success and evolution in an ever-changing global marketplace. With his wealth of experience, education, and certifications, he is well-equipped to lead the next wave of innovations that will define the future of manufacturing and technology in the tobacco industry.
