Zafar Khan
I began my career with ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵPakistan in 1996 in the Operations function and have since worked across a variety of markets in regional and global roles.
I am passionate about BAT’s New Category products, which have been a central part of my role since 2016, when I joined the leadership teams for Global Operations and the Asia Pacific & Middle East region. Prior to joining the ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵManagement Board as Director, Operations in February 2021, I was Group Head of New Categories Operations.
It was a huge honour and privilege to be appointed to the Management Board, leading the function where my career started. Joining such a high calibre board as we drive our A Better Tomorrowâ„¢ transformation is a hugely rewarding challenge.
As Director, Operations, I am focused on amplifying value generation, delivering our ESG agenda and pushing our digital transformation to ensure ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵcan deliver even more quickly. These are massively exciting times as we transform our supply chain operations end-to-end, and I want ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵto have the best multi-category supply chain in the world.
As a leader I like to foster a culture of creativity and free-thinking and very strongly believe in the ‘kaizen’ concept of continuous improvement. I expect people to take on challenges with full commitment, doing all they can to enable our accelerated transformation agenda.
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵis a great ‘learning’ organisation with a truly global perspective. Being second generation ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ– my father worked for Pakistan Tobacco Company – I’d seen first-hand the quality of people and the responsibility the company felt towards its employees and wider society.
A Better Tomorrowâ„¢
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ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵis at the forefront of a massive transformation enabled by its purpose to build A Better Tomorrowâ„¢. To me, this means making a huge contribution to society by offering a range of less risky*†Ìýalternative products and embedding ESG throughout the organisation to ensure the long-term sustainability of our business.
From the first day I joined the company I was given challenges and was lucky to have had excellent mentors while career growth opportunities were made clear to me. The diversity, culture and global, ‘family’ nature of ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵare what sets it apart. The company is ever evolving and always at the forefront of best practice, boldly accepting challenges with open-mindedness and humility.
Nationality: Pakistani
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Career to date
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- Ìý1996:ÌýJoins Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) as a Management Trainee in Operations
- Ìý1997 – 2000:ÌýEnjoys a range of factory-based roles across engineering, manufacturing and quality in Pakistan
- Ìý2001:ÌýBecomes Innovations Manager at PTC
- Ìý2003:ÌýMoves to Malaysia to become Asia Pacific Regional Supply Chain Programme Manager
- Ìý2006:ÌýReturns to Pakistan as Factory Manager
- Ìý2010:ÌýMoves to Bangladesh as Operations Director
- Ìý2012:ÌýTakes first UK-based role as Regional Head of Plan & Service for Western Europe
- Ìý2014:ÌýPromoted to become Group Head of Plan, Service & Logistics
- Ìý2016:ÌýBecomes Regional Operations Manager for Asia-Pacific and Middle East, based in Singapore
- Ìý2019:ÌýTakes on role as Group Head of New Categories Operations
- Ìý2021:ÌýJoins the Management Board as Group Operations Director
Education
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- ÌýBachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering / University of Engineering & Technology, Pakistan
- ÌýLeading Global Business, IMD Business School, Switzerland
- ÌýSenior Operations Programme, McKinsey, UK
- ÌýStrategies & Leadership in Supply Chains, Stanford University, USA
- ÌýSupply Chain Excellence programme, University of Cranfield, UK
- ÌýInnovation Management programme, University of Cranfield, UK
- ÌýManagement Excellence programme, IMD Business School, Switzerland
Personal interests
I am married to the most wonderful person and we have four lovely daughters. I cherish relationships both professionally and personally as I believe people and their variety of experiences provide the greatest source of learning. I love travelling the world, reading history and taking in art and architecture with a specific interest in carpets and rugs.
* Based on the weight of evidence and assuming a complete switch from cigarette smoking. These products are not risk free and are addictive.
†Our products as sold in the US, including Vuse, Velo, Grizzly, Kodiak, and Camel Snus, are subject to FDA regulation and no reduced-risk claims will be made as to these products without agency clearance.
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