AboutRam C.Menen Expertise Questions related to air logistics/cargo industry including related information technology overview.
Experience RAM C. MENEN
Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo, Emirates Airline
Ram Menen is Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo, Emirates Airline.
He began his career in aviation in 1976 at Kuwait Airways. He later moved to British Airways to head its cargo operations in Kuwait. In 1984, he joined the Kuwaiti aviation group Alghanim Al Qutub Shipping Agencies, to set up and manage its airfreight-forwarding unit in Dubai. Mr. Menen has headed the cargo division of Emirates since the inception of the airline in October 1985.
Trained as an engineer, he spearheaded the conceptualisation and development of the LD-36 (AMF) type of ULD (Unit Load Device) which increased usable space on each lower deck pallet base by 33 per cent.
He is one of the founder members of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), the premier organisation for the entire air logistics business, serving as Vice President in 1993 and 1994, and as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board in 1995 and 1996.
He continues to be involved with TIACA as Trustee and member of the Presidents' Council. Mr. Menen is the current chairman of the IATA’s Cargo Committee and is also involved in advisory capacity with several organizations.
He has been a resolute champion of air logistics industry and is actively involved in the development of various IT initiatives to address the needs of the industry. He has helped focus attention on cargo as an integral part of the world trade process.
In November 2007, Mr Menen was adjudged “Personality of the Year (Air Cargo Industry)” at the Second Annual Middle East Logistics Award (MELA 2007). He was inducted into the “Lloyd’s FTB Asia Hall of Fame” at the Asia Logistics Awards in October 2006 and into the TIACA’s “Hall of Fame” in April 2005, in recognition of his efforts and contributions to the air cargo industry and for his achievements as head of Emirates’ cargo division.
In October 2003 he received the 2003 “International Ai Cargo Achievement Award” from The World Trade Centre Miami for “Excellence in Promoting East-West Trade”. In
In December 2002, Air Cargo News, USA named him “Cargo Executive of The Year”. In March 2000, Mr Menen was recognized for his efforts with a “Special Achievement Award” by the International Freighting Weekly (IFW)
November 2007
i need your suggestions regarding career in Supply chain management in IT sector and also about career in AIR CARGO sector..
Let me introduce myself.
I completed my engineering in electronics and communication in 2006. I worked in an IT company for 2 years in mainframes. For 1 year, I worked as a programmer in a supply chain project (This project is about spare parts business where a customer will place the order for the parts and the order will be processed based on the availability of the parts in the warehouse, then the parts will be shipped to the customer and finally billing processes are done for the shipped parts).Few weeks back,I was relieved from the company..
I don’t like to enter IT industry as a programmer again.
Now I have few career options with me but confused which is the better one to go forward..
First one – Supply chain career in IT
I have a plan to get into some shipping or logistics company for an entry level job. Then work there for 1 or 2 years and gain some domain experience. While working there, I have plan to take up APICS CPIM exam and if possible APICS CSCP.Then after gaining 2 years experience, I have a plan to enter into the IT sector as a functional or domain guy.. So that I can go forward in the IT sector as a functional guy.. and I am ready to update myself with technical knowledge required for a functional guy.
Second one – Core supply chain career
After working for 2 years, I am thinking about staying in the core supply chain sector if I get good earning and job opportunities there. I heard good job prospects are there in ABROAD after gaining 1 or 2 years experience in Logistics sector.
Third one – Career in AIR CARGO sector
When I thought about staying in the core logistics sector after gaining 2 years experience, I heard about AIR CARGO sector. I heard that I can earn better in Air Cargo sector than shipping or logistics sector. I got suggestions that I can start as a Cargo Agent there. And also people suggested me to join a travel agency and work there to learn the things. Then during month of March or April, asked me to take up the IATA Air cargo exam. and also they told me that if I complete the 2nd level IATA exams, it will set up the future for me. Also I heard future is good in airline sector.
When I enquired about the supply chain sector, I got lot of good feedbacks about the industry.
But when I enquire about the Air Cargo sector, I got good feedbacks but with words of caution about the recession in AIR CARGO industry.
In Supply chain career, i have knowledge about my career path as I will be doing this after this like that but in case of Air Cargo I am blank. So I need some inputs about the career projection in AIR CARGO.
One of my primary doubt is, how far I can climb the corporate ladder if I join as a Cargo agent in AIR CARGO since I am from engineering background with no relevant degree or knowledge in AIR Cargo. And also is it possible for me to use this AIR CARGO experience if I want to enter as a functional guy in IT supply chain??????
I heard some 4 level IATA certifications there. Foundation, Consultant, Management and Senior management level. How these certifications will be helpful for the AIR Cargo career.
I am equally interested in all the three options because of the below reasons.
First one (Supply Chain in IT) - Since I know little bit about SCM in my 1 year project experience.
Second one (Core Supply Chain i.e.Shipping or Logistics) – Since I know about SCM and also due to the good job opportunities it provides in India and ABROAD.
Third one (AIR CARGO sector) – Due to my childhood passion for airlines sector and it is a flight logistics And also due to information I got about the AIR CARGO sector that I can earn better there than shipping or logistics industry.
Please tell me which is the best one for me??
I will be a great help for me if you resolve these queries.
My sincere apologies for writing such a big query.
Thanks and Regards,
Syed.
Answer Dear Syed ,
Many thanks for your question/s. Having been around in this industry with a background very similar to yours, I can understand the dilemma you are in. The business of supply chain management, by far, is the larger industry. Air cargo is a part of the logistics industry. Inventory management and logistics within the supply chain management (SCM) is crucial to optimizing efficiencies and can be the border line between a healthy bottom line, or, a marginal one. If I were you, the SCM business is something that I would start my career off in as it will give you a all round big picture view and then using that, look at perhaps specializing an aspect that that you find that you enjoy. This will also give you a very solid base to work from. If you, at a later stage want to get into the air cargo business, you still can and when you do, you will be able to start at a better level in the air cargo. You have graduated as an engineer, and frankly, you find yourself over qualified for the 'cargo agent job' and could also frustrate you.
You option one and two seem to be a good one to start your career off. The reality is that the air cargo sector has been the hardest hit during the current crisis and it will take about 2-3 years for a full recovery.
Of course, the final call is yours. Before you decide, ask the company with whom you are going to start with as to where can you find yourself in 5 year's time career-wise and also compare the remuneration packages.
I wish you all the best in your decision making process and whatever choice you make, I am glad you have decided to take career in our industry.
