Michael Combe has over 35 years of experience in management roles in sales and operations. He has a proven track record of turning around underperforming businesses and improving profits. Some of his accomplishments include improving a company's operating profits by £10m over 18 months through restructuring operational functions and implementing changes. He also increased another company's food service business revenues from £2.5m to £12m by developing new product lines and innovating. Combe has experience setting up greenfield sites on schedule and budget in multiple countries.

1. CURRICULUM VITAE
MICHAEL J. COMBE
Address:
5F Calle Librilla
Lomas del Rame
Los Alcazares
Murcia
Spain
Mobile:0034 -604 350 677
Home: 0034 868 172 516
Email: michaelcombe51@gmail.com
OBJECTIVE:
An operational Director/M.D. role with P&L accountability. Utilising excellent people skills supported by results
orientated problem solving and change management expertise.
PROFILE:
A results driven manager who successfully manages change with an enviable track record of achievement.
Over 35 years of management experience in the sales and operational environment and also experienced in
media management. Strengths include strategic thinking, originating projects and motivating others.
A member of the Institute of Directors.
Proven Turnaround Specialist – New Start Up Business
CHANGE MANAGER
*Best proven result A companies operating profits, improved, by £10m from -£8m to +£2M over 18 months*.
Change management UK
Complete restructure of all operational functions to include Technical, Operational, Engineering, Training and
Planning,
Technical – Restructure and outsource lab facilities -
Planning – Sales forecasting improvement from 55% - 90% accuracy
Business strategy-
Engineering – Increased training of in house engineers to remove the dependency of OEM’s, launch of
engineering downtime monitoring systems.
Training – In house recognized self accredited training program launched, introduction of an e-learning
computer suite to provide flexible mandatory training

2. PROFIT IMPROVEMENT
Introduced a by-product P&L system to all New Product Development lines which resulted in an increase of 5%
at gross margin level. Developed a broader customer base and introduced one major retailer, first 12 months
business £4.0m. Increased food service business from £2.5m to £12m through innovation/development of new
product lines. Increased profitability from an estimated loss of £700k to a profit of £1.5m through focused cost
control, continuous improvement and communicating strategy to all employees.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Set up a Greenfield site. Building a completely integrated business involving over 60 suppliers in the U.K and
Europe. Project included building a factory, feed mill, effluent plant, hatchery and farms. Assisted by 12 project
engineers the completion was on schedule and on budget. Also from a Greenfield site Poland, Sweden
,Denmark, I stayed for approx. 2years until profitable.
PEOPLE SKILLS
Implemented a bonus system, efficiency increased by 40%, yield improved by 4% and customer complaints
dropped by 85%. Produced a weekly communication to all employees informing of: Company performance,
new product lines being developed, customer visits and complaints and the introduction of new employees.
Initiated a works council consisting of 8 members, with monthly meetings the communication was on every
level achieving an informed workforce. Another strength is my ability to recognise and surround myself with
motivated and conscientious personnel.
PROBLEM SOLVER
Increased output of short shelf life products after business had gained £5m extra business from its major
customer, these were existing lines elsewhere. Two new high powered machines were designed and bought
at a cost of £500k. Labour saving £0.5m, output increased by 55%. Reduced suppliers of all bought in raw
materials and achieved after tendering process a saving of £1m.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Employees made aware of customer service and managers made accountable, implemented new warehouse
picking system which improved customer service from 95% to 99.5% and maintained, therefore an increase in
sales of £850k
Career History
2014-2015 Danish Crown (Tulip Ltd)
Title: General Manager. (Interim)
Duties: To manage entire site, sales and P&L Manufacturing and Technical.
This was a brand new business opportunity (startup) I was brought in because of my successful time in Europe
and my specialty of going into large companies who were or are performing poorly at a high level with full
executive role at board level. This assignment was very successful in second year it had a turnover of £3.5m.
2011-2013 Gerber Juice Ltd
Title: Interim Production Director
Duties: Manage all production activities within the Factory which supplies most major supermarkets around the
UK.
Due to the business performing badly through poor efficiencies, lack of controls over manning and poor
discipline over a number of years, restructure Cost control initiatives, KPI’s, Yield records, PIPS had to be
initiated to put the business back in profit.
This business has a £360m turnover
Overheads lack of control. Proven financial figures £7.2m year on year saved over first 12 months straight to
the bottom line.

3. 2009- 2011 Hilton Food Group Denmark
Title: Group Operations Manager/ Interim MD
Duties: Responsible for setting up a brand new business for the supermarket chains Super-Brugson ,Fakta and
Irma. Responsible for planning, employment and training of all senior and middle management, both
commercially and operational.
The Factory was,100,000sqm and had 460 product lines (Skus).
2009 Company: RWM Food Group LTD
Title: MD/Interim
Duties: On the request of the Board of Directors of Hilton Food Group
Manage a beef factory, abattoir, turnkey further processing and butchery hall in England which is a big supplier
to Hilton Food Group.
Complete restructuring of staff and facilities required. Cost control initiatives, KPI’s, Yield records, PIPS
This was a loss making business which needed to quickly be turned around. This was achieved in August 09
2007-2009 Company: Hilton Food Group. Poland
Title: Group Operations Manager/ Interim MD
Duties: Responsible for start up of factory in Tychy, Poland on Greenfield site. The factory was up and running
within 12 months. Responsible for the planning, employment and training, this was a huge success. The
supermarket group was AHOLD. Factory now into 4 different countries, 4 different languages, 4 different
currencies and employs 500 people and produces 900 tons of beef and pork retail per week.
I have a good working knowledge of the Polish culture and language.
2005 - 2007 Company: Hilton Food Group Plc. Sweden
Title: Group Operations Manager
Duties: Responsible for new start up business for the supermarket group I.C.A. Managed all operational
activities on site
Produces up to 1,000 tons of beef and pork retail per week
I have a good working knowledge of the Swedish culture and the language
2004 – 2005 Company: Hilton Food Group Plc. Huntingdon, England
Title: Interim General Manager (3 months)
Duties: Responsible for all activities on site in a business that required re-structuring and cost savings to be
carried out.
1998 - 2004 Company: Marshall Food Group
Title: Managing Director
Duties: Managing the operational and commercial for 4 factories employing 2000 people. T/O £250m.
Commercial responsibility for M & S Business. P & L Accountability. Duties: Turn around loss making operation
T/O Employing 1500 employees. Producing brand own label short shelf life products. Commercial P & L
accountability. Labour efficiencies and profit improvement.
1991 - 1998 Company Unigate PLC (St Ivel)
Title: Operation Director.
Responsible for 7 factories £500m T/O. Producing High Quality short shelf life products for all major retailers.
Change management ,manufacturing, Engineering, and N.P.D

4. 1988 - 1991 Company: Unigate PLC (J.P. Woods Ltd)
Title: Operations Director.
Responsible for the building and overall budget control of a £ 32m project largest poultry processing plant in
Europe employing 1800 people.
1985 – 1988 Company: Sun Valley Foods Ltd
Title: General Manager – Roast Poultry
Duties: Production, Engineering and Projects. T/O £40m. 600 Employees.
1978 - 1985 Company: Bernard Matthews PLC.
Title: Plant Production Manager
Duties: Production, Planning, Personnel, 18 months training on engineering.
1976 - 1978 Company: Maxway Food Products
Title: Senior Supervisor / production manager
Duties: Production Personnel
Education:
1969-1976 Napier Academy Edinburgh
Qualifications City and guild meat processing , master butcher Qualification
1962-1969 Carnworth Grammer School,Lanark
Qualifications: GCE ‘A’Levels English Literature
Biology
Chemistry
GCE ‘O’ Levels English Literature
Mathematics
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
.