taimourtariq.

TAIMOUR TARIQ / BASED IN ABU DHABI

Commercial strategy.
Market execution.
Profitable growth.

I lead market-specific brand and account strategies, manage country-level P&Ls before EBITDA, and turn growth plans into everyday execution across the GCC and Europe.

How I approach growthSelected work
Currently

Senior Key Account Manager — GCC & Europe
Global Food Ventures

Taimour Tariq at an ADGM LINK networking event in Abu Dhabi, beside the waterfront at night
ADGM LINK / ABU DHABI

Connecting with the business community.

At ADGM’s monthly LINK networking event
BASED IN ABU DHABI

GCC and Europe

STRATEGY · OPERATIONS · GROWTH
01 / A LITTLE CONTEXT

Strategy with
a practical edge.

I turn market opportunities into commercial plans—and manage the performance behind them.

At Global Food Ventures, I’m responsible for commercial growth and country-level P&Ls before EBITDA across the markets I manage. I work with country managers and freelance partners to set growth and profitability targets, allocate marketing budgets and improve operational performance.

That work spans go-to-market execution, brand launches and strategic partnerships with Herfy, MrBeast Burger and Fresh Post. I tailor brand plans to each market, refine marketplace advertising and platform co-funding, and mentor an average of 5+ GFVx referral partners each week to help grow our restaurant partner network.

Commercial strategy & P&LMarket entry & brand strategyStrategic account managementMarketplace marketingPartner development & operations
02 / MARKET STRATEGY

One playbook doesn’t
fit every market.

My GFV responsibilities follow three connected priorities: launch brands for each market, build strategic accounts, and manage growth against country-level economics.

MARKET STRATEGY / ENTRY & EXPANSION

Turn a new market into
an operating partner network.

Go-to-market strategy connects a brand’s proposition with local demand, commercial partners and the operations needed to launch.

01

Build the partner base

Translate market opportunities into brand launch plans, partner acquisition and commercial agreements.

02

Connect the launch to operations

Coordinate country teams, onboarding and partner training so commercial agreements become operational launches.

03

Keep improving after launch

Use marketplace performance and account reviews to refine brand strategy and growth plans.

50+

partners closed and onboarded while leading a new-market launch at GFV.

ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT / STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Scale through a partner
with an established footprint.

Build partnerships that match a brand’s market ambitions with an operator’s reach and capabilities, then manage the account beyond launch.

01

Connect brand and distribution

Match brand positioning and market demand with the right operating partner.

02

Align commercial expectations

Align pricing, commercial terms, service levels and account priorities.

03

Manage the relationship for growth

Review account performance with stakeholders and adapt brand plans to local demand and growth opportunities.

150+

Herfy locations in the MrBeast Burger launch; ongoing strategic account ownership.

GCC & EUROPE / GROWTH & OPERATIONS

Look beyond order volume.
Make the economics work.

Country-level P&L ownership brings growth targets, marketing investment, partner development and operational performance into one commercial plan.

01

Own country-level performance

Manage P&Ls before EBITDA, set growth and profitability targets, and coordinate execution with country managers and freelance partners.

02

Put budgets to work

Allocate marketing spend, improve marketplace ads and conversions, and negotiate platform co-funding to strengthen ROAS.

03

Build capability & execution

Train 5+ GFVx referral partners weekly, support restaurant acquisition and work with country teams to improve operations.

25+

brands across the GCC and Europe in my GFV portfolio, connecting account strategy with commercial ownership.

03 / SELECTED WORK

From plans
to real progress.

Three examples of those priorities in practice: a market launch, a strategic brand partnership and an operational improvement.

MARKET EXPANSION01

Building a new
market presence.

Led GFV’s German market launch, connecting go-to-market planning, brand launches, restaurant acquisition and partner onboarding.

50+restaurant partners
closed and onboarded
GLOBAL FOOD VENTURES · MARKET ENTRY
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS02

A global brand.
A local partnership.

Launched MrBeast Burger with Herfy across 150+ locations, aligning the brand’s expansion with an established operating partner. Continue to manage the strategic account and support its commercial growth.

150+Herfy locations
in the launch
GLOBAL FOOD VENTURES · KEY ACCOUNTS
OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENT03

Better operations.
Stronger foundations.

Led a four-person Operations & Onboarding team across four markets, with hands-on training to improve menu accuracy and partner performance.

80%reduction in
cancellations
GLOBAL FOOD VENTURES · FOUR MARKETS
04 / THE JOURNEY

Different chapters.
One growth mindset.

BBA (Honors), University of Central Punjab
Marketing specialization · Finance minor
2014–2019

DEC 2024 — PRESENT

Global Food Ventures

Senior Key Account Manager — GCC & Europe

Country-level P&L ownership before EBITDA, market-specific brand strategy and commercial growth across the GCC and Europe. Managing a portfolio generating $350K+ in monthly GMV, alongside strategic accounts and operational performance.

Senior Key Account Manager · Feb 2026–present
Key Account Manager — Growth · Dec 2024–Feb 2026

My commercial responsibilities at GFV

Go-to-market & brand launches

Led GFV’s German market launch, connecting commercial acquisition, brand launch strategy and partner onboarding. Built a network of 50+ restaurant partners and tailored execution to local market opportunities.

Strategic partnerships & account growth

Close and manage strategic partnerships with operators and brands including Herfy, MrBeast Burger and Fresh Post. Align commercial terms, account plans and market-specific brand strategies to support expansion and ongoing growth.

GFVx partner mentoring & programme growth

GFVx is Global Food Ventures’ partner programme for restaurant referrals, acquisition and onboarding. I train and mentor an average of 5+ partners each week, helping them qualify opportunities, approach restaurants and close partnerships to grow the network. Explore GFVx

Country-level P&L & commercial strategy

Manage country-level P&Ls before EBITDA across the GCC and Europe. Coordinate with country managers and freelance partners, allocate marketing budgets, set growth and profitability targets, and drive operational improvements.

Marketplace advertising & marketing

Shape marketplace advertising strategy and budget allocation to improve ROAS and conversion performance. Negotiate co-funded campaigns with delivery platforms and connect marketing decisions to brand growth and profitability.

SEP — OCT 2024

Independent Consultant

Brand launches & commercial development

Supported two brand launches through pricing, sales projections, market entry, platform onboarding and commercial agreements.

SEP 2022 — SEP 2024

The Cloud

Key Account Manager — Growth

Owned growth and profitability for 400+ restaurant partners, connecting account strategy, campaigns, partner performance and operations.

JUL 2021 — SEP 2022

Foodpanda / Delivery Hero

Senior Associate — Vendor Growth

Managed vendor growth, campaign adoption, revenue recovery and performance reporting. Built KPI dashboards and supported portfolio reviews.

Senior Associate · Jul–Sep 2022
Associate · Jul 2021–Jul 2022

JUL 2019 — FEB 2021

International Petrochemicals

Business Development Executive

International trading, commercial development and market analysis, including $500K+ in trade deals and a 20% productivity improvement.

Business Development Executive · Jan 2020–Feb 2021
Market Research Executive · Jul–Dec 2019

JUL 2018 — MAR 2019

Foodjango

Co-founder · Takhleeq incubation center

Co-founded a meal pre-ordering startup from a university project. Gained hands-on experience in product development, market research and customer engagement.

Earlier experience & university leadership
JUL — OCT 2018

CCJK Technologies

International Sales Executive

Early experience in international sales and client relations.

JUL — OCT 2017

Dockit.pk

Intern

An internship undertaken while studying at university.

DURING UNIVERSITY

TEC Club · University of Central Punjab

Vice President — Marketing

Marketing leadership alongside participation in university clubs and societies.

CAREER MOMENTS

Career moments & community.

Taimour Tariq receiving the Foodpanda NCR award for Q1 2022 from managers Mohaib Mirza and Usman Saleem in Lahore
FOODPANDA / Q1 2022

Recognised for the highest non-commissionable revenue (NCR) sales and retention in Q1 2022, with retention above 80% and over 100% of target achieved each month.

Taimour Tariq receiving Foodpanda’s Panda of the Quarter plaque alongside manager Usman Saleem and a marketing director
FOODPANDA / PANDA OF THE QUARTER

Panda of the Quarter for restaurant portfolio performance: meeting sales, order, MCR and deals targets, and helping introduce Foodpanda’s marketing products and campaigns.

Representing The Cloud at FFCC
The Cloud team at their Fast Food & Café Convention booth, with co-founder and CEO George Karam in the middle
THE CLOUD / FFCC

Representing The Cloud at the Fast Food & Café Convention, alongside co-founder and CEO George Karam and our sales and quality colleagues.

A moment of team appreciation
Taimour Tariq presenting a gift basket to a teammate at Foodpanda
FOODPANDA / TEAM APPRECIATION

I shared a gift I had received from Foodpanda with a teammate to thank him for supporting the team with data analysis, improving our work and helping us achieve our targets.

Connecting with the startup community
Taimour Tariq at NYU Abu Dhabi for Slush’D, representing Global Food Ventures
GLOBAL FOOD VENTURES / SLUSH’D

Representing Global Food Ventures at Slush’D, NYU Abu Dhabi—meeting students interested in startup careers, interviewing candidates and building new connections.

Taimour Tariq representing Global Food Ventures at Step Conference
GLOBAL FOOD VENTURES / STEP CONFERENCE

Representing Global Food Ventures at Step Conference, a gathering of startups, companies and the wider technology community.

Closing my Foodpanda chapter
Taimour Tariq with his Foodpanda team at his farewell dinner before moving to Abu Dhabi
FOODPANDA / FAREWELL DINNER

A farewell dinner with my Foodpanda team during my final week, before moving to Abu Dhabi—a moment to appreciate the people who were part of that chapter.

A tribute to Foodpanda riders
Taimour Tariq sitting on a Vespa and holding a Foodpanda rider helmet at an office event
FOODPANDA / RIDER APPRECIATION

A moment at a Foodpanda office event, sitting on a Vespa with a rider’s helmet as a tribute to the riders who keep deliveries moving.

University: entrepreneurship, case studies & recognition
University of Central Punjab participants seated in an auditorium at LUMS for an HBS case study competition
UCP / CASE STUDY COMPETITION AT LUMS

Representing the University of Central Punjab with my classmates at an HBS case study competition hosted at LUMS—working through business cases as a team.

Taimour Tariq receiving an Excellence Award certificate on stage at the University of Central Punjab
UCP / EXCELLENCE AWARD

Excellence Award from the University of Central Punjab for involvement in clubs, societies and extracurricular activities—recognition given to around five or six students each year.

05 / CONTINUING TO LEARN

Sharpening the
growth toolkit.

Developing the strategy and analytical skills behind market planning, account performance, marketing investment and commercial decisions.

GrowthX logoGROWTHX / OCT 2026–OCT 2027

Advanced market
& growth strategy.

A one-year learning journey at GrowthX, focused on advanced market and growth strategy alongside my commercial work.

GrowthX is a learning community for professionals and founders working in product, marketing and growth.
Its programmes combine growth strategy, practical learning and insights from experienced operators.

Explore GrowthX

Certifications

06 / BEYOND THE JOB TITLE

A few more
sides of me.

Entrepreneurship, people and a little friendly competition — interests that sit alongside my professional life.

01

Entrepreneurship

Co-founded Foodjango at UCP’s Takhleeq incubation center. Building and developing business ideas has been part of my journey since university.

02

People & community

Networking and philanthropy are among my interests. I value connections that reach beyond a single role or industry.

03

Squash & chess

Two of my interests outside work — one on the court, the other across the board.

04

Technology & ideas

I’m interested in how AI, automation and data can simplify work and improve decisions. I bring those ideas into process improvement and commercial analysis.

ALSO IN MY TOOLKIT

Data analysis · AI & workflow automation · P&L analysis · Tableau · PowerPoint · SQL fundamentals

07 / START A CONVERSATION

Good things start
with a hello.

Looking for commercial experience in market entry, brand growth, strategic accounts or country-level performance? I’m open to roles and collaborations where I can put that experience to work.

Connect on LinkedIn