Rosemarie Fernandes

I am an enthusiastic and ambitious HR Business Partner, who is passionate about people and their development, equipped with significant experience and exposure in Middle East, Far East & Levant. Primarily gained experience in challenging high energy roles in Retail (Fashion, Watches & Jewellery & Electronics) Food & Beverage, Digital / Ecommerce, Distribution, Warehousing & Service – including start up ventures where the HR department was set up from scratch. During my tenure I have extended HR support to the following Divisions within the Group: Automotive, Real Estate, Travel, IT, Marketing & Shared Service teams of Finance and HR. Collaborated with HR Leadership team (HRLT) & HR COEs (Total Rewards, Talent Acquisition etc.) Country Managers & HR BPs when working on the development and implementation of strategies and programs to attract, develop, reward and retain exceptional talent. I am capable of developing and evaluating human resource-related initiatives / Projects that support organizational strategic goals with an excellent track record & a hands on approach.  I have been part of the Project team driving the set up of the Shared Services for both Finance/Procurement & HR & Mergers & Acquisitions. I was also part of the SME team for setting up systems like Sniperhire / Success Factors.

Having completed a CIPD endorsed HRBP Development program & a Cambridge International Diploma in Business (HR Management Module), I have a clear understanding of HR management dynamics /philosophy and supported by a comprehensive and extensive knowledge of the subject. Contributed on projects related to HR Strategy, Talent & Capability, Localisation/Emiratisation, Organisation Development, HR Policy, Procedures & Programs, Employee Relations, Employee Engagement, Performance Management, Succession Planning, Mergers and Acquisitions strategy, business simulations & familiar with the power of Net Promoter Score (NPS). During my journey various soft skills including coaching, influencing, leadership, and conflict management have been acquired.  

Sept 95 to date  Al Futtaim Group LLC., Dubai, UAE. as Sr HR Business Partner 

HR Business Partner Retail - From 1st Jan 2011 to 2017 

Managed Retail Head office, Food & Beverage & Ecommerce / Digital team (2013) (circa 200 employees) The Head office consisted of the following departments – Finance, Supply Chain, Store Development, Customer Centricity, Marketing & Business Development. F&B & Ecommerce were initial start up activity

HR Business Partner Toys R Us (From 1st Mar 09 to 31 Dec 2010) Managed the HR function for Toys R Us stores across Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait & Egypt. (Circa 400-450 employees)

HR Manager (From 1st October 2006 – February 09) for 4 brands namely Ladybird, Danier, Intersport, Judith Leiber & Retail Divisional Office. (circa 200 employees) . These were start up entities namely a Childrens clothing brand, Sports, Luxury Retail, Leather business, spread across UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, KSA, Egypt & Qatar

Asst HR Manager (from Jan 2001-Sept 2006).  Assisted the Regional HR Manager with various HR aspects of the Retail Division The Retail Division comprised of Ikea, ACE, Marks & Spencer, Toys R Us, Al Futtaim Watches & Jewellery, Sandgate International, Guess, Esprit & Al Shomool.

Sr HR Executive (1997 - 2000) & HR Executive (1995-1997) 

Bachelor of Commerce - Accountancy