Shaped by curiosity and connection: The Global Journey of Mahmoud Aly

Friday, May 23, 2025

Mahmoud, before your current role, you held various positions across different companies and countries. Could you elaborate on the key experiences and skills you acquired in those roles?

After earning my degree in mechanical engineering, I started my career at a global technology company specializing in enterprise software for a few months. This led to my first significant role at a major automotive manufacturer, where I gained valuable experience and faced interesting challenges. I spent nearly three years there before transitioning to a large food and beverage company, where I initially worked in procurement before moving into a role leading exports for a significant number of countries. Through these roles, I gained extensive knowledge in supply chain management and international operations. I also developed valuable skills in global business practices, negotiation, and leadership, along with the ability to thrive in a multinational environment by collaborating effectively with diverse cultures.

You have had an incredible journey from Egypt, to Germany, Dubai, and finally landing in Sweden and soon work at Mondelēz International. Could you tell us about that part of your story?

Moving from Egypt to Sweden was a big decision for us. After the revolution in Egypt, my wife and I decided to move to Sweden, as she had grown up there. Arriving in Sweden was challenging; my employer in Egypt didn’t have operations in Sweden, so I was left without immediate job prospects. I spent the first few months learning Swedish and even started a master’s program. However, I quickly realized that I needed to get my foot in the door and took a job in a warehouse. It was a truly humbling experience, but it gave me a valuable insight into the realities of frontline work. Observing how people on the ground respond to new initiatives and understanding their perspectives on projects was eye-opening.

After about five months in that role, I was interviewed at Mondelēz. I didn't get the specific job I applied for, but thanks to my mechanical engineering background, they invited me to apply for the Continuous Improvement Engineer role. I got the job, and since then, I already moved on four different roles at Mondelēz.

Can you tell us a bit about those roles? What motivated you to transition through different roles and what key learnings did you take from each?

At Mondelēz, it's been a continuous learning journey. I started as a Continuous Improvement Engineer in 2018, and that was all about optimizing processes within the factory. I learned a lot about lean manufacturing, problem-solving, and data analysis. Then I moved to leading the Continuous Improvement Team, where I was responsible for guiding and mentoring a team of engineers. This role helped me develop my leadership and project management skills. Later, I transitioned to a Project Engineer role in manufacturing. Finally, I was promoted to Senior Project Manager in the supply chain leading projects for the Nordics. It’s a more commercial and strategic role within the supply chain team.

Every role, every person teaches you something. Whether it's the team working with me, people on the shop floor, or my managers... I’ve learned a lot. Curiosity and deep diving into issues have been crucial for me. It's not just about looking at the surface but understanding the root cause. And on top of that, I'm passionate about my work and motivated to start each day. I believe in being transparent with my manager about my career goals and building a strong network of connections and mentors to gain diverse perspectives.

You've worked in Egypt, Germany, Dubai, and now Sweden. How have these international experiences shaped you both professionally and personally?

Professionally, I've learned how to collaborate effectively with people from diverse professions and backgrounds, as most of the companies I've worked for were multinational. Here in the Swedish Mondelēz office, I have colleagues from different countries, creating a diverse culture.

The bigger impact, however, has been on a personal level. There are differences in social norms and family life. People in Sweden tend to prioritize family time and may not socialize so frequently as in places like Egypt, where people might hang out daily. Here, socializing is often reserved for weekends or during the sunny summer months. Also, in Sweden, checking the weather is essential for planning outfits, unlike Egypt, where summer weather is more predictable. I quickly picked up a classic Swedish saying: "Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder" (There's no bad weather, only bad clothes!). If you have kids, that’s especially important, as being outdoors is a big part of preschool culture here.

It's been a fascinating experience, and I'm very grateful for the opportunity to have lived in different countries.

What made you stay at Mondelēz since 2018?

I've stayed because it's a place where I can grow, and I've seen that happen over the past several years. I also feel included and valued here, and I appreciate that I can communicate openly with my manager – I'm comfortable raising issues, learning from mistakes, and sharing those learnings with my team. Mondelēz offers growth opportunities, but my recommendation would be to be proactive in communicating your career aspirations with your manager. It's not just about waiting for opportunities to come to you; it's also about preparing yourself, for example, through internal courses and other development opportunities, so you're ready to take on new possibilities when they arise.

Could you share some insights into projects you are working on currently?

I'm currently engaged in a few significant projects. Firstly, I'm involved in the technical and operational transition of our 3PL operations in Finland, targeted for completion by summer 2025. I'm also contributing to a digitalization initiative, implementing a new O9 platform for order fulfilment in the Nordics. This aims to significantly improve efficiency and enhance service for our customers. Beyond that, I'm working on sustainability efforts related to the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Finally, I actively support my supply chain team in driving productivity initiatives, both internally and with external partners. It's a challenging but very rewarding area to be involved in.

Do you have a favorite Mondelēz snack?

Growing up, it was Toblerone, thanks to fond childhood memories. But after joining Mondelēz in Sweden, I switched to Noblesse. It became my favourite because my first project was working directly on the Noblesse production line, giving me a real appreciation for the product.