Ajay Rakh
SALES AND OPERATIONS
Navi Mumbai
Summary
With a 17-year proven track record of success, I am a performance-oriented sales leader consistently exceeding expectations. My strategic and analytical problem-solving approach effectively brings in customers and achieves profit targets. I possess a keen eye for identifying and capitalizing on emerging market trends and revenue opportunities, ensuring continued growth and success for the organization.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certificates
4
4
Languages
Work History
Area Manager
Athlocity LLC
Bahrain
07.2024 - 10.2024
- Led a team to achieve company goals and exceed targets consistently, fostering a positive work environment.
- Conducted training sessions to educate employees on best practices and procedures to increase profitability.
- Increased team productivity by streamlining processes and implementing more efficient systems.
- Oversaw budget planning, strategy development, community outreach for organization.
- Liaised with sales, marketing, and management teams to develop solutions and accomplish shared objectives.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities, adjusting strategies to maintain a competitive edge.
- Conducted regular business reviews with team members, identifying areas for improvement and growth opportunities.
Area Sales Manager (Multi- Concept Brand)
Apparel Group
Saudi Arabia
02.2023 - 04.2024
- Responsible for Daily Store Operations of 3 R&B LFS in Saudi Arabia handling a business volume of 24 million SAR with 36000 sq ft Retail Area.
- Regular Floor walk with Store Managers Department In-charge for Ensuring Store Standards Optimum Stock Level, Size Availability, Checking Knowledge & Action points on Best & Worst Sellers.
- Ensure Store VM Standards are met as per Brand Standards.
- Co-ordinate With Planning Warehouse and VM Team for Seasonal Launch ensuring all activities are adhered to time-line.
- Managed a successful sales team, consistently achieving and exceeding monthly sales targets.
- Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing strategic sales plans for the assigned territory.
- Achieved established KPI for company, regional team and individual performance through teamwork and focus on customers.
- Driving Retail KPI's of ATV UPT and Conversion by being an active member in the Floor.
Cluster Manager
Dar Al Kashkha LLC
Dubai
02.2021 - 12.2022
- Focus on controlling costs, implementing promotions effectively, managing inventory, ensuring compliance with laws and standards, maintaining retail standards, developing team talent, and overseeing store openings and renovations.
- Provides inputs for store strategies & ensures all plans are executed to result in maximized sales, profitability & commercial performance of all retail outlets in the assigned Area.
- Drives each store's commercial KPIs (Conversion, UPT, AVB, Traffic) to maximize sales.
- Led training initiatives that enhanced employee skills, knowledge base, and productivity levels across various functions within the organization.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations for all employees to recognize achievements, address challenges, and facilitate professional growth.
Senior Store Manager (MultiBrand)
CCC (Shoes and Bags)
Oman
09.2019 - 12.2020
- Supervised employees for exceptional store operations, customer retention and positive brand experiences.
- Guided daily activities, overseeing accounts receivable, inventory reporting and bank deposits.
- Enhanced store appearance with meticulous merchandising, visual displays, and well-organized inventory management.
- Improved overall store performance by implementing effective sales strategies and streamlining operational processes.
- Monitored daily cash discrepancies, inventory shrinkage and drive-off.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
Senior Officer ( Feilds and Marketing )
Page Industries Ltd. (Speedo)
10.2017 - 08.2019
- Established strong relationships with key clients to maintain customer loyalty and drive repeat business opportunities.
- Implemented innovative process improvements that enhanced productivity and reduced operational costs.
- Coached junior team members, fostering professional growth and improving overall team performance.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to define project scope, objectives, and deliverables for successful outcomes.
- Championed data-driven decision-making processes to optimize results and inform strategic planning efforts.
- Consistently surpassed sales targets through a combination of relationship-building techniques, product knowledge expertise, and persuasive negotiation skills.
- Drove revenue growth by identifying new market opportunities and developing effective sales strategies to capitalize on them.
- Coached employees in successful selling methods and encouraged cross-selling to drive revenue.
- Handled customer relations issues, enabling quick resolution, and client satisfaction.
Store Manager
Apparel Group FZC
08.2015 - 08.2017
- Generate sales that meet and exceed LY through appropriate levers.
- Effectively communicate all metrics and how they affect the business.
- Drive Each Store KPIs (Conversion, UPT, ATV ) to Maximize Sales. Maintain and execute VM guidelines.
- Prepares Reports on Bestsellers /Slow sellers in preparation for Buying Sessions.
- Ensure Maintenance and regular review of store operational Standards leading to standardization of systems.
- Maintain a strong and genuine customer focus, merchandise effectively, to company standards and to the needs of each store catchments
- Define Goals and smart Objectives for the team. Increase of Loyalty base and drive & Online performance
- Monitors Inventory Management within the Area- Stock Availability, SOH Management, Consolidation, and transfers.
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Increased store profitability by implementing cost-saving measures and efficient inventory management strategies.
Store Manager ( Mom and Me Kids Multi-Brands )
Al Maya Apparel LLC.
Dubai
06.2013 - 06.2015
- Completes store operational requirements by scheduling and assigning employees; following up on work results.
- Monitor the handle customer complaints in line with Company policy.
- Ensure store expectations and priorities are communicated to staff and regularly review and provide feedback on staff’s performance against expectations.
- Carry out regular and relevant in-store training and enroll staff on relevant Learning and Development courses.
- Maintain a high level of store security for company assets, cash, stock and employee property.
- Ensure regular showroom staff meetings are carried out to communicate business goals and training delivered Product and Visual Merchandising.
- Ensure that job rotation is implemented in the showroom giving each TEAM member an opportunity to move to different section in the division/showroom.
- Monitor sales performance against last year, last week and budget on a daily and weekly basis and to give feedback to managers and also to communicate to staff.
Area Supervisor
Giordano Fashion India Ltd. (GIORDANO)
12.2010 - 06.2013
- Led team meetings to discuss progress toward goals, address challenges, celebrate successes, and encourage continuous learning experiences among team members.
- Evaluated employee skills and knowledge regularly, training, and mentoring individuals with lagging skills.
- Target orientated/ Sales Performance/ competitive tracking of other brands.
- To make sure stores achieve weekly /monthly target etc. (both value and quantity) To keep a track of sales of neighboring competitor brand.
- Man management and administration of multiple stores
Recruitment and Coordination for the same with HR. On job training of sales staff. - Grooming / hygiene of sales staff Keeping a check on attendance of staff and maintaining register in stores for the same.
- Coordinating with project team for any interior related matters Visual merchandising & Branding.
- Achievement of store KPIs.
- Managing store SOPs and standards Execution of season & product launches Training & Development of the team
Future Group Ltd
Store Manager
Future Group Ltd. (CELIO MENS FASHION)
Mumbai
02.2010 - 11.2010
- Managed daily operations to ensure smooth functioning of the store, maintaining a clean, safe environment for customers and employees.
- Improved customer satisfaction through staff training in customer service and product knowledge.
- Maximized sales and minimized shrinkage through excellent customer service and adherence to standard practices.
- Increased store profitability by implementing cost-saving measures and efficient inventory management strategies.
- Managed inventory control processes to restore back stock, control costs, and maintain sales floor levels to meet customer needs.
- Prepared comprehensive reports detailing key KPIs such as sales figures customer demographics inventory turnover rate sharing data higher-ups actionable insights improvements needed areas.
Sr. Fashion Assistant
Arvind Brands Ltd (ARROW)
Mumbai
02.2007 - 01.2010
- Taking all the responsibilities for opening the store & handling the cashiering part.
- Making the batch close report & the credit card transaction on daily basis.
- Selling the merchandise to the customers by gauging their requirements, interests and taste and also assisting them where ever required.
- Identifying non-moving items on the floor and bringing it to the notice &making Indents for the same.
- Making manual replenishment reports by referring to the sales & stock report from the system and actual stock on floor.
- Co-coordinating with the visual merchandiser of the store for proper display of the merchandise, mannequins and over all look of the section.
- Greeting the customers, providing them with the right kind of information.
- Day end Closure cash & daily banking,
- Closing Reports & DSR Reports
Education
MBA/PGDM - Retail Management
Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research
01.2021 - 01.2023
Bachelor of Commerce - undefined
Rizvi college of Arts, science and Commerce
01.2007 - 01.2008
Skills
Operations management
Training development
Business analytics
Relationship building
Problem-solving abilities
Analytical skills
Brand marketing
Strategic planning
Decision-making
Team development
Accomplishments
- 2016, Completed my Apparel Management Program Level Certificate course in Retail Management.
- 2020, Achieved 110% target for the month of Jan which was very challenging and all happened due to positive attitude and belief in myself and the team.
- 2012, Shop in Charge Achieved GP margin for the year.
- 2011-2012, Certified by CEO of Giordano.
- 2013, Promoted to Area Supervisor and was handling 6 SIS locations in Pune, India.
- 2018, Certified D licensed Football Coach. Also done football coaching for Age group from 6 to 16 yrs. National Level player and also played Elite Division football during my professional career.
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 09/11/85
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: Indian
- Marital Status: Married
Certification
APPAREL MANAGER PROGRAM
Timeline
Completing Workshop on Chat GPT and AI in Microsoft in Excel, Skill Nation
11-2024
Area Manager
Athlocity LLC
07.2024 - 10.2024
Area Sales Manager (Multi- Concept Brand)
Apparel Group
02.2023 - 04.2024
Cluster Manager
Dar Al Kashkha LLC
02.2021 - 12.2022
MBA/PGDM - Retail Management
Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research
01.2021 - 01.2023
Senior Store Manager (MultiBrand)
CCC (Shoes and Bags)
09.2019 - 12.2020
2018 ‑ Certified D licensed Football Coach.
05-2018
Senior Officer ( Feilds and Marketing )
Page Industries Ltd. (Speedo)
10.2017 - 08.2019
APPAREL MANAGER PROGRAM
10-2016
Store Manager
Apparel Group FZC
08.2015 - 08.2017
Store Manager ( Mom and Me Kids Multi-Brands )
Al Maya Apparel LLC.
06.2013 - 06.2015
Area Supervisor
Giordano Fashion India Ltd. (GIORDANO)
12.2010 - 06.2013
Store Manager
Future Group Ltd. (CELIO MENS FASHION)
02.2010 - 11.2010
Sr. Fashion Assistant
Arvind Brands Ltd (ARROW)
02.2007 - 01.2010
Bachelor of Commerce - undefined
Rizvi college of Arts, science and Commerce
01.2007 - 01.2008