The greatest general managers in business tend to have certain critical common traits that make them great leaders and propel their companies towards success. These excellent general managers possess the capability to project the future direction of their company and industry and see opportunities and prospective threats in advance.
They do not solely aim for short-term profits but look at the long-term course of the firm, planning their steps accordingly. Good general managers make difficult choices promptly and without doubt. They consider alternatives and know the possibilities of risks and benefits, but once a decision is reached, they implement it without delay.
These seasoned veterans are at ease making decisions amidst uncertainty, using their intuition where required. They articulate their vision, strategy, and goals clearly to all organizational levels. They don’t merely speak; they listen actively to employees, customers, and partners to make sure they hear various viewpoints and challenges.
Their communication is not only informative; it’s influential, inspiring and motivating others to emulate them. In rapidly changing environments, effective GMs show resilience by adjusting to new situations, technologies, and markets. They recognize that change is a given and are adept at guiding their people through times of change, whether organizational redesign, new market introduction, or crisis management.
Great GMs recognize the value of building relationships and fostering an inclusive culture in which all individuals feel valued. They excel at spotting and developing talent, investing in the growth of their teams, and providing a culture where employees can grow and perform at their best.
They build trust not just with their teams but also with stakeholders, customers, and investors. Trust is a fundamental aspect of their leadership style. One such celebrated personality making a transformational impact in the business domain is Mr. Sajeed Abdul Lathief, a highly respected professional who serves as the General Manager at Precision Group, an industry leader in packaging and engineering solutions. With a proven track record in expanding markets and fostering strategic partnerships, Mr. Sajeed brings a unique and highly valuable combination of expertise in both engineering and the packaging industry, a rare blend that continues to fuel Precision Group’s growth and drive innovation within the sector. Under his visionary leadership, Precision Group has expanded its market reach, fortified strategic partnerships, enhanced operational excellence, and reinforced its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR). His approach is rooted in strategic foresight, innovation, and meaningful community engagement, making him a pivotal force behind the company’s sustained success.
A Seasoned Veteran
With over 30 years of experience at leading global companies, including Aptar Group, Mr. Lathief brings a wealth of expertise to his current role as General Manager. He joined Precision Group as Head of Operations, where his leadership played a pivotal role in driving operational success. By streamlining processes and optimizing workflows, Mr. Lathief ensured greater production efficiency and smooth day-to-day operations. His strategic approach to system optimization has been fundamental in expanding the company and maximizing profitability.
A Visionary Leader with a clear Vision and Focus on Innovation
Mr. Lathief’s leadership is defined by a clear strategic vision, unwavering dedication to operational excellence, and a strong commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices. As a forward-thinking leader, he has been instrumental in expanding Precision Group’s market presence, optimizing operations, and nurturing a culture of continuous improvement. His keen ability to identify growth opportunities, build impactful strategic partnerships, and implement efficient systems has significantly strengthened the company’s performance across all sectors.
At Gulfood 2024, Mr. Lathief unveiled several key strategic partnerships and new initiatives, further solidifying Precision Group’s position as a leader in the regional packaging industry. He also drove a transformative shift within the Precision Engineering segment, transitioning the company from a provider of dies and tools to a comprehensive turnkey solutions provider. This strategic pivot now covers everything from concept design to plant setup, quality control systems, and final product delivery, marking a significant leap in both innovation and growth for the company. Under his leadership, Precision Engineering achieved an impressive 25% year-on-year revenue growth in 2024.
In addition to his operational focus, Mr. Lathief champions innovation and quality while fostering strong community engagement, reinforcing Precision Group’s reputation as a trusted and progressive leader in the industry.
Driving Operational Excellence and Sustainability
In his position as General Manager, Mr. Lathief has undertaken strategic programs that have improved the company’s performance across different segments. He believes in keeping Precision Group ahead of the manufacturing curve through maximizing production efficiencies, cutting costs, and improving overall product quality. Through his leadership in streamlining business flows, he not only increased operating efficiency but created a culture of innovation and constant improvement throughout the organization.
One of the key projects spearheaded by Mr. Lathief in his early years with the group is the Dairy Packaging Division Plant Upgradation Project, a testament to Precision Group’s pioneering leadership in the dairy packaging sector. Under his strategic leadership, fully automated production facility has been introduced, where the entire process; from raw material to finished product; operates seamlessly without any human contact. This state-of-the-art transformation has significantly enhanced product quality, improved overall productivity, and reduced operational costs. By integrating the latest technology and global best practices, Mr. Lathief has ensured that the plant meets the highest standards of hygiene, efficiency, and innovation—setting a new benchmark for the industry.
Mr. Lathief’s vision for the future has been instrumental in propelling Precision Group’s expansion, especially in the manufacturing and industrial solutions business. He has a strong focus on research and development, pushing his team to embrace the newest technological innovations in a bid to remain competitive. Through technology and innovation, Mr. Lathief has positioned Precision Group to address the changing demands of the market, leading to sustainable growth in a competitive market.
A Responsible Leader
Beyond operational excellence, Mr. Lathief has demonstrated a profound commitment to social responsibility. Under his leadership, Precision Group has undertaken various CSR initiatives, underscoring the company’s dedication to enriching the community and promoting environmental sustainability.
As a testament to his people-centric leadership, Mr. Lathief has fostered a culture of collaboration and empowerment at Precision Group. During the change management process, he ensured that every team member was supported, retained, and provided with ongoing coaching to thrive through transitions. His vision and foresight have broken down silos, creating an environment where open communication and cross-functional teamwork flourish. By offering his team freedom and ample learning opportunities, Mr. Lathief has cultivated a dynamic workforce that continues to grow and contribute to the company’s success.
Demonstrating his dedication to nurturing the next generation of leaders, Mr. Lathief has actively facilitated numerous field visits for MBA students from top institutions across the UAE, including the Indian Institute of Management Technology (IMT) and Middlesex University. These immersive experiences gave students invaluable exposure to real-time manufacturing operations and a deeper understanding of industry practices. This initiative reflects Mr. Lathief’s belief in bridging academic learning with practical experience, empowering young minds with the insights and confidence needed to lead in today’s dynamic business landscape.
Under the leadership of Mr. Lathief, Precision Group continues to champion meaningful corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that reflect both environmental awareness and social compassion. Each year, the company proudly participates in the Al Noor Family Funfair by setting up a stall featuring flowerpots crafted from recycled plastic waste, an initiative that not only promotes sustainability but also contributes all proceeds to the Al Noor Training Centre, supporting individuals with disabilities. Complementing this, during the holy month of Ramadan, Mr. Lathief and his dedicated CSR team, in collaboration with Dubai Police, organised the distribution of approximately 60,000 Iftar meals to those in need. These initiatives exemplify Precision Group’s deep-rooted values of inclusivity, generosity, and environmental responsibility, while strengthening its connection with the wider community.
Such CSR activities illustrate Mr. Lathief’s capacity for striking a balance between operational achievement and social responsibility, whereby Precision Group contributes meaningfully to society and yet has a healthy business presence.
The Vision for Precision Group
Mr. Lathief’s vision for Precision Group is closely aligned with the UAE’s Operation 300bn initiative, the national industrial strategy aimed at transforming the country into a global hub for future industries. As an active member of the Chamber of Commerce for Packaging, he has been a strong advocate for enhancing local manufacturing capabilities to support this bold national vision. One of the core pillars of Operation 300bn is the advancement of UAEs manufacturing capability in the aerospace sector, and under Mr. Lathief’s leadership, Precision Group has taken major strides in this space by developing the capacity to manufacture high-precision aircraft components. The company’s recent achievement of the AS 9100 certification for aerospace quality management reflects his commitment to world-class standards, local capability enhancement, and technical training.
Mr. Lathief’s vision for Precision Group is to drive the company’s mission of delivering innovative solutions to its customers, while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability across all business operations. A prime example of this innovation is the new Dairy Gallon bottle, which is the lightest in its category, representing a significant achievement in both innovation and sustainability for the region. Under his leadership, Precision Group has made substantial strides in these two critical areas. innovation and sustainability, setting the foundation for the company’s continued success in the future.
Looking ahead, Mr. Lathief’s strategic vision is to further diversify the Precision Group’s offerings, both in terms of product range and regional presence across the Middle East. This forward-looking approach aims to enhance the company’s contribution to regional manufacturing capabilities while actively supporting the UAE’s long-term industrial development goals.
The organisation places strong emphasis on reducing its carbon footprint by prioritising sustainability within its packaging division. Through initiatives like right-weighting, minimising material usage without compromising on quality, Precision Group has achieved significant reductions in both waste and energy consumption. Under Mr. Lathief’s leadership, solar panels have been installed across all manufacturing facility rooftops, reinforcing a broader commitment to environmental responsibility. This focus on sustainability extends beyond packaging and is integrated throughout the entire manufacturing process.
In addition, Mr. Lathief is interested in venturing Precision Group’s business into new geographical locations and building near-customer production facilities. Not only does this enhance the efficiency of the company’s supply chain but also make sure that its environmental footprint is kept at a minimum. Expanding to new territories opens the door for Precision Group to leverage growing markets, fostering long-term growth while continuing to focus on sustainability.
In the engineering sector, Mr. Lathief has also advocated for diversification to high-tech manufacturing industries. Diversification from the original core line of business of die and mold production has helped the company grow enormously in the emerging markets, with some areas having registered 25% growth year-on-year. Such expansion is preparing Precision Group for sustainable, long-term prosperity in a rapidly changing marketplace.
Team Building and Leadership Philosophy
One of Mr. Lathief’s fundamental leadership philosophies is that effective organizations are established on a solid foundation of motivated and empowered employees. He aims to establish a culture where team members are valued, respected, and motivated to realize their full potential. Through emphasis on professional growth, teamwork, and transparent communication, he creates a work culture that integrates individual aspirations with the company’s vision.
As a leader, Mr. Lathief puts great emphasis on coaching and mentoring. He believes that ongoing learning is important for personal and professional development, both for himself and his team. He empowers employees to take responsibility for their jobs and develops them through regular performance appraisals, feedback, and career advancement opportunities.
Mr. Lathief’s leadership style also prioritizes work-life balance. Through proper time management and the delegation of tasks where necessary, he ensures his team and he himself can have a healthy balance between their work and personal commitments. This balance, he is convinced, is crucial to maintaining productivity, participation, and job satisfaction over the long term.
Looking Forward
Mr. Sajeed Abdul Lathief’s career progression from Head of Operations at Precision Plastic Products to General Manager at Precision Group demonstrates a dedication to excellence in all areas of his professional life. His leadership has been crucial to the success of the company, combining operational effectiveness with a firm emphasis on community engagement and sustainability. With his vision, Mr. Lathief has not only driven Precision Group to new heights in the manufacturing sector but has also instilled a culture of innovation and accountability that will propel the company’s future ventures.
Looking to the future, Mr. Lathief is set on growing the company’s presence, embracing technology, and keeping Precision Group at the industry forefront of both the engineering and packaging industries. His commitment to leadership, service to the community, and environmentally friendly practices will keep Precision Group going strong as a leading industry player, making positive impacts to its employees and the greater community.
