Amsterdam · Designer & operations leader
Where design meets operations.
- Background
- Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
- Experience
- 16 years in retail
01 · About
Two disciplines, one person.
My strength lies in analysing behaviour, processes and data, and translating that into practical, user-centred solutions.
I have applied this in digital environments (UX/UI design, wireframing, interface design) as well as in a commercial setting driven by KPIs, customer-behaviour analysis and process optimisation.
Sixteen years in retail taught me what an interface or a process on the work floor should do: make the work simpler, not more complicated. I work in a structured way, adapt quickly in changing environments, and draw energy from guiding colleagues in their development. That last part is not a task alongside the work for me, it is the work itself.
I am now looking for a role where this combination comes into its own. Positions at the intersection of digital, communication and organisation.
Alongside that, I keep developing myself in design. I follow the field closely, read widely about recent developments, and apply what I learn in practical projects for people around me who can use my help. It keeps my skills sharp and my curiosity awake.
- Name
- Abdel Ahmed
- Location
- Amsterdam
- Year of birth
- 1995
- Driving licence
- B
- Languages
- Dutch
02 · Experience
Sixteen years, two tracks.
A career that starts on the shop floor and grows to management level, with a completed degree and two agency design roles along the way.
Assistant Store Manager
Jumbo Supermarkten
Jointly responsible for the daily operation of a high-volume store in Amsterdam. Progressed to Assistant Store Manager in 2023 after completing my bachelor. Combines operational leadership, commercial results and people management.
- Leading 25+ staff and several team leaders
- Responsible for revenue, shrinkage, labour costs and KPI delivery
- Analysing sales figures and customer behaviour, and steering on performance
- Optimising staff scheduling and operational processes
- Data-driven work and decision-making
Specialist Process
Jumbo Supermarkten
A standalone role managing all weekly recurring store processes. Responsible for keeping the store up to date: shelf-location changes, new product mutations, removals and additions, and adjustments to the store layout. A smooth process flow is the foundation the entire store runs on, and the customer and commercial side depends heavily on it.
- Managing all weekly recurring store processes
- Keeping shelf locations, mutations, additions and removals up to date
- Phasing out slow movers and giving fast movers more space and larger orders
- Analysing empty shelf spaces and resolving the root cause
Assistant Team Leader
Jumbo Supermarkten
Started in 2017 as Assistant Team Leader alongside my studies. Leading teams on the work floor, with responsibility for daily operations, staff guidance and commercial performance.
Junior UI/UX Designer
The Brink Agency
Designing user-friendly interfaces for web and mobile applications in an agency environment. Working with external stakeholders and improving iteratively based on feedback and reviews.
- Translating user needs into wireframes and visual designs
- Collaborating with stakeholders on digital projects
- Interfaces for ABwerkt.nl and Lento.eu, among others
- Graduation project: a staff onboarding tool
Junior Visual Designer
Meute
Visual content and campaign work in a creative studio. Designed a landing page for the government campaign Nederland Vaccineert.
- Designing content for social media
- Designing a landing page for the Nederland Vaccineert campaign
- Processing feedback and running reviews with stakeholders
Assistant Team Leader
Albert Heijn · 8 years
Started in 2009 as a stock replenishment associate and progressed in 2013 to Assistant Team Leader across the fresh and packaged-goods departments. A first step toward management responsibility.
- Leading teams across the fresh and packaged-goods departments
- Responsible for daily operations and quality control
- Coaching and developing staff
- Improved store presentation and customer satisfaction
03 · Education
Communication and multimedia design.
Bachelor of Science · CMD
Hogeschool van Amsterdam
A four-year bachelor in Communication & Multimedia Design focused on user-centred design and digital interfaces.
- UX research and user testing
- Interaction design and wireframing
- Visual communication and design principles
- Front-end development fundamentals
Applied Sciences · Logistics & Economics
Orientation phase
Two years exploring logistics and business economics. In the second year I concluded this was not the right direction and made a deliberate switch to Communication & Multimedia Design.
Applied Sciences · Logistics & Transport Engineering
First orientation
First year discontinued after jaw surgery and a recovery period. I took a gap year to recover and to determine a new direction of study.
MBO 4 · Transport & Logistics Manager
ROC Amsterdam
A three-year logistics management programme focused on processes, planning and operational coordination.
- Following up and executing logistics processes
- Applying and adjusting planning
- Coordinating operational processes
04 · Skills
What I bring.
Design & digital
- AI/UI/UX design
- Wireframing and prototyping
- User flows and testing
- User-centred design
- Stakeholder communication
- Product reviews
Management & leadership
- Team leadership and coaching
- Operational management
- Planning and organisation
- Decision-making under pressure
- Conflict resolution
- Connecting leadership
Analysis & process
- Data analysis and KPI steering
- Process optimisation
- Analysing customer behaviour
- Problem-solving mindset
- Structure within complexity
- Quality control
05 · Tools & systems
What I use.
Design & digital tools
Analysis & office
06 · Looking for
What I am looking for.
A role where my dual background adds value, in an environment that fits me. Together with my job coach I am exploring which direction best matches what I want to build in this phase.
Type of role
Digital meets organisation
A hybrid role where design thinking and operational insight come together. At organisations that value the combination of thinking and doing.
Work setting
Hybrid or remote
Work within a digital context. A mix of home and office, or fully remote. Commuting time up to around 20 minutes.
What I bring
People and process
A structured approach, strong communication, and an eye for the people around me. I gain energy from guiding colleagues in their development and building teams that strengthen each other.
07 · Contact
Open to a conversation.
- Phone
- +31 6 21 57 21 24