Jonathan Lee

Experience

• 

  Freelance

  Jan 2006 - Dec 2011

  Magician

  A trick’s a trick’s a trick, some might say, but for those who know, a magician who takes pride in his craft makes the world of difference between a sidewalk trickster and an artiste. A true magician does more than a bunch of party tricks - he refines his craft to become an entertainer.Every magician develops a certain area of magic which intrigues him most. Jonathan’s personal style is close-up magic, an intimate, organic form of magic that engages the audience with their surroundings via the mundane routines of life. There are no fancy props, no bunny-in-the-hat agenda. Rather, the close-up magician uses everyday objects such as money, paper, string and cards to amaze his audience at close range. Incidentally, Jonathan has had the privilege to perfect his art of close-up magic from some of the best in the trade.After graduating in Psychology, Jonathan’s stint in the US gave him firsthand experience of how his art, which many shortchange as mere entertainment, can become relevant in society. Volunteering as a community centre counsellor, he worked daily with juvenile delinquents, many of whom originated from rough backgrounds, and were difficult to reach out to. Interestingly, magic speaks a universal language. It melts away cross cultural-boundaries and personal barriers even, enabling Jonathan to built relationships with these youths.Today, Jonathan’s array of experience includes corporate launches, roadshows and dinner galas for clients such as Porsche, Hewlett Packard, Maxis, Guinness Anchor Berhad, SP Setia, as well as for movie premiers debuts. He also performs for weddings and other private events. He’s had his share of media coverage too, which include live TV performances on 8tv’s Latte@8 and TV3’s Malaysia Hari Ini.www.jonleesg.com Show less

• 

  Marcus Evans

  Apr 2006 - Feb 2009

  Senior Sales Executive

  Key Responsibilities & Achievements: • Successfully acquired top Fortune 500 clients, including HSBC, Barclays Bank, Johnson Controls, and others, by strategically targeting key decision-makers in banking, finance, and other sectors. • Conducted in-depth market research to identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the sports hospitality sector, aligning offerings with client needs. • Sold premium corporate hospitality packages for major global sporting events such as the F1, FIFA World Cup, and Olympics, consistently exceeding sales targets. • Developed strong relationships with senior executives to offer bespoke hospitality solutions tailored to their specific business goals. • Led negotiations and managed the entire sales process, from initial outreach to successful event execution, ensuring exceptional client experiences and long-term business growth.My ability to engage with senior decision-makers and deliver tailored, high-value solutions has been instrumental in acquiring and retaining high-profile clients, contributing to significant revenue growth in the competitive sports hospitality industry. Show less

• 

  Pulse Group PLC

  Sept 2009 - Mar 2010

  Client Development

  Key Responsibilities & Achievements: • Managed and nurtured client relationships across global regions, including North America, Europe, and Asia, ensuring market research needs were effectively met for a diverse portfolio of clients. • Coordinated the delivery of tailored research solutions, overseeing data collection, processing, analysis, and project management to meet specific client objectives. • Acted as the primary point of contact for key clients, providing consistent updates, addressing concerns, and offering strategic recommendations to optimize research processes. • Ensured the timely delivery of high-quality data and insights, helping clients make informed decisions and achieve their business goals. • Strengthened client partnerships through proactive communication, contributing to long-term satisfaction and continued business growth across multiple regions.By successfully managing global client accounts and delivering seamless, customized research solutions, I played an integral role in maintaining strong client relationships and ensuring the delivery of high-standard services. Show less

• 

  Hextar Chemicals

  Apr 2010 - Mar 2012

  Operations Manager

  Achievements: • Increased stock output by 50% through improved warehouse operational reporting. • Implemented a new inventory system, enhancing inventory accuracy by 30% within six months. • Optimized warehouse operations, raw material procurement, and order fulfillment, ensuring smooth end-to-end supply chain management.Key Responsibilities: • Managed multiple warehouses, overseeing raw material procurement, manufacturing workflows, and logistics. • Established internal processes to enhance operational efficiency while maintaining cost control. • Oversaw the well-being of foreign warehouse staff, ensuring a safe and compliant work environment. • Ensured proper equipment maintenance for smooth warehouse operations. • Maintained ISO and safety compliance, while implementing best practices in inventory management.By driving efficiency, optimizing resources, and implementing strategic process improvements, I played a key role in strengthening Hextar’s supply chain and warehouse operations. Show less

• 

  Groupon Malaysia

  Dec 2011 - Jul 2015

  Head of Operations (Goods)

  Achievements: • Built Groupon Malaysia’s supply chain network from the ground up, driving a 300% increase in customer fulfillment within three years. • Designed and implemented a personalized Order Management System with a focus on automation, enabling the processing of 100,000+ parcels per month. • Reduced delivery cycle time by 60% in just 10 months by establishing key performance metrics and optimizing vendor collaboration—all while maintaining cost efficiency. • Pioneered the reduction of goods delivery time from an industry standard of two weeks to just two days. • Led a high-performing operations team across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong, enhancing Groupon’s customer experience in the products segment.Key Responsibilities: • Established key logistics partnerships, setting industry-standard SLAs to improve delivery efficiency. • Built and managed the entire supply chain ecosystem, including inbound logistics, quality assurance, warehousing, inventory control, and last-mile distribution. • Developed both internal and external infrastructures to ensure seamless operations while fostering innovation for long-term scalability. • Sourced and managed outsourced developers to create a fully integrated end-to-end software system for tracking goods from procurement to delivery. • Cultivated a team culture based on “M.A.D.” (Making A Difference)—driving excellence in customer experience, delivery speed, and operational efficiency.By combining technology, strategic partnerships, and process optimization, I played a key role in transforming Groupon Malaysia’s supply chain into a scalable and efficient operation, setting new industry benchmarks in logistics and fulfillment. Show less

• 

  AirAsia

  Jul 2015 - Mar 2018

  I lead all aspects of inflight product sales, procurement, finance compliance, supply chain management, business forecasting, and revenue growth for Duty-Free and Merchandise operations. My focus is on solving challenges, optimizing operations, and driving profitability in the evolving travel retail space.Challenge: Revenue growth and profitability in inflight retail were constrained by outdated procurement strategies, inefficient fulfillment processes, and limited technological integration. There was also a need to secure high-value brand partnerships and streamline operations for better cost management.Action: • Developed and implemented strategic procurement initiatives to improve margins and lower costs. • Led automation and process improvements to enhance efficiency across supply chain, warehousing, and eCommerce fulfillment. • Established strong partnerships with top-tier brands to expand and elevate the travel retail product offering. • Collaborated with internal teams to leverage technology for better inventory management and seamless operations. • Designed and executed data-driven strategies to optimize sales performance and customer engagement.Results: • Increased revenue and profitability by achieving key operational and financial metrics. • Improved bottom-line performance through cost-efficient procurement and fulfillment strategies. • Enhanced brand partnerships, leading to a more competitive and desirable product selection. • Streamlined operations, reducing inefficiencies and improving overall business performance.By continuously identifying growth opportunities and driving operational excellence, I am committed to reshaping the future of inflight and travel retail. Let’s connect to explore new opportunities in this space! Show less Country Operations Lead | Travel Retail & Supply Chain StrategyI am responsible for overseeing country-wide operations, ensuring efficiency across fulfillment, inventory management, procurement forecasting, supply chain, and financial control. My role focuses on optimizing processes, improving transparency, and driving profitability.Problem: Operational inefficiencies, lack of real-time inventory transparency, and insufficient cost controls were impacting profitability and overall business performance. Additionally, the absence of live data systems made it challenging to make informed decisions, leading to escalations and financial discrepancies.Action: • Implemented robust checks and balances to enhance the accuracy of Profit & Loss (P&L) reflections and financial reporting. • Developed real-time monitoring systems to improve inventory transparency and procurement forecasting. • Established key operational metrics to track efficiency, reduce costs, and drive sustainable growth. • Optimized fulfillment processes and supply chain management to minimize escalations and improve service levels. • Leveraged deep industry knowledge to anticipate market shifts and align strategies with the evolving aviation landscape.Results: • Improved financial accuracy, leading to more precise forecasting and cost management. • Reduced operational escalations, enhancing overall efficiency and minimizing disruptions. • Enhanced decision-making capabilities through live data monitoring, enabling agile business responses. • Increased profitability and operational transparency, strengthening the overall business performance.By continuously identifying opportunities for efficiency and cost reduction, I am committed to driving sustainable growth and operational excellence. Let’s connect to explore strategies for transforming travel retail and supply chain operations! Show less

  • Head of Operations (Group Duty Free and Merchandise)

    Jul 2016 - Mar 2018

  • Supply Chain Manager (Group Inflight Ancillary)

    Jul 2015 - Jul 2016
• 

  AirAsia

  May 2018 - now

  At AirAsia, I led a dynamic team as part of AirAsia’s digital transformation, seamlessly integrating physical travel retail with eCommerce. Under my leadership, we achieved a 400% year-over-year increase in monthly active users and doubled our monthly transacted users. My journey there can be defined by three core pillars: Pivot, Sustain, and Growth.Pivot:When the pandemic brought traditional travel retail to a standstill, I was responsible for pivoting our business model to serve the domestic market with home delivery. Despite competing against more established and well-funded rivals, we successfully developed a clear and compelling value proposition that resonated with our customers.Sustain:Ensuring financial stability was paramount. I drove initiatives to maintain EBITA positivity by supporting the airline’s inventory movement, forging strategic partnerships with merchants to boost revenue, and optimizing operations, warehousing, and logistics efficiency.Growth:As travel resumed, I focused on reigniting customer engagement with our travel retail offerings. Collaborating closely with the marketing team, we executed data-driven initiatives to enhance product visibility. I also led the merchandising team to optimize category conversion and guided the business development team in partnering with leading industry brands, airport retailers, and domestic partners to drive sales conversion.This experience not only honed my leadership and strategic planning skills but also reinforced my commitment to innovation and agility in a rapidly evolving market. Show less Combining my expertise in eCommerce and the airline industry, I was one of two individuals entrusted with the creation and launch of OURSHOP—a digital marketplace under AirAsia, Asia’s leading carrier. OURSHOP was designed to bridge the gap between global travelers and airport, high-street, and local specialty retailers, turning digital and eCommerce challenges into opportunities. What started as an idea has since evolved into a fully operational platform, transforming the way travelers shop throughout their journey.Key Responsibilities: • Led the development and conceptualization of the OURSHOP brand. • Oversaw the platform’s development, collaborating with AirAsia’s in-house tech team. • Worked with AirAsia’s Group Legal team to develop and manage merchant contracts, including acquisition and brand partnerships. • Negotiated and established partnerships with top duty-free retailers across the region. • Developed the airline’s duty-free digital strategy and pre-book sales model. • Partnered with AirAsia’s Ancillary and Marketing teams to drive pre-book duty-free orders for both airline-owned inventory and retail partners.This experience not only reinforced my ability to build and scale digital businesses but also highlighted the power of innovation in reshaping traditional retail models within the travel industry. Show less

  • Head of Travel Retail and Acquisition

    Jul 2020 - now

  • Head of Travel Retail

    May 2018 - Jul 2020