Akshay Agarwal
Sales & Business Development
Delhi NCR
Summary
Successful Vice President of Sales & Business Development offering 17 years of experience delivering quality results and exceeding sales goals. Expertise in cost containment, market plan execution and business development. Excellent communication, networking and negotiation skills. Committed to achieving strategic sales goals and building loyalty and trust, both externally and internally.
Self-motivated leader with expertise in introducing products and implementing pricing models and inventory controls. Effective motivator identifying customer needs to deliver solutions. Tactical team builder and strategic planner with experience in consumer-based product sales verticals.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Sales and Business Development
Himalaya Wine Company Private Limited
New Delhi
05.2023 - Current
- Setting up distillery operations from production to launch the craft & premium brands in marketplace .
- Led a high-performing sales team, providing coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
- Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing innovative sales strategies.
- Identified new business opportunities through comprehensive market analysis and trend forecasting.
- Spearheaded expansion into new territories, establishing a strong presence in untapped markets.
- Introduced new products or services to market with carefully orchestrated go-to-market strategies.
- Developed short and long-term sales strategies to gain market share, uncover new sales opportunities and increase revenue.
- Performed monthly sales forecasting and competitive analysis to determine product performance levels and need for new product developments.
- Worked with board of directors to facilitate creation and adoption of updated governance policy.
- Increased profit margins by effectively controlling budget and overhead and optimizing product turns.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Held one-on-one meetings with sales team members to identify selling hurdles and offered insight into best remedy.
- Collaborated with upper management to implement continuous improvements and exceed team goals.
- Liaised with sales, marketing, and management teams to develop solutions and accomplish shared objectives.
- Maintained financial controls, planned business operations and control expenses while identifying and pursuing opportunities to grow business operations and boost profits.
Sales Lead
NEFT Vodka Global (India) Pvt. Ltd.
New Delhi
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Setting Up Sales & Distribution channel for the company
- Working towards Product Launch in India Market.
- Conducted thorough market analysis to inform decision-making and capitalize on emerging industry trends.
- Enhanced client relationships through consistent communication and personalized solutions.
- Managed key accounts with a focus on maintaining long-term partnerships and maximizing revenue potential.
- Drove territory expansion by establishing strong distributor networks in untapped regions.
- Built strong client relationships and provided high value-adding services, resulting in increased company market share.
- Identified and analyzed key competitors and related products.
- Optimized lead generation efforts through the implementation of innovative marketing campaigns and promotional activities.
Zonal Head - Operations
Organomix Ecosystems Pvt. Ltd.
New Delhi
10.2021 - 04.2022
- Responsible for entire operations of premium liquor retail stores of NDMC Area, New Delhi
- Looking after Health & Sanity of all the wine & liquor stores in my territory
- Looking after commercials & financial output of the company
- Responsible for Top Line & Bottom Line of the company
- Responsible for HCR business of Delhi targeting a turnover of 350 Cr for entire group.
Regional Sales Manager
Aspri Spirits Pvt. Ltd
New Delhi
11.2016 - 10.2021
- Handling team of 2 KAM's, 3 ASM's & 10 Sales Executives
- Responsible for entire Sales & Marketing for the region & for all the channels - Key Accounts, On-Trade, Off Trade & B2B
- Responsible for entire S&D and A&P management for region
- Looking after entire operations for Delhi in terms of Sales, marketing & logistics as we have our own set of operations in Delhi & not through distributors
- Attended meetings with regional sales teams to stay up to date on sales progress and targets achieved
- Used competitive nature, motivation and dedication to increase sales and customer base
- Prepared reports as requested by National Sales Controller, such as sales forecasts, targets and sales goals achieved
- Monitored sales team performance and provided effective training to help reach targets
- Collected customer and market feedback and reported information to company leadership
- Created strategic sales plans, designed to increase sales, customer loyalty and market awareness
- Generated monthly and annual sales reports
- Increased profitability by developing pipelines utilizing multiple marketing channels and sales strategies.
Regional Manager - BIO
Modi Illva India Pvt. Ltd.
New Delhi
07.2016 - 11.2016
- Responsible for entire project of BIO starting from importing brands till it reaches consumers
- Strategic Consulting, including business plan & sales strategy development
- Setting up distribution channel for BIO sales across India.
State Head Sales - Delhi & Rajasthan
Aspri Spirits Pvt. Ltd
New Delhi
01.2015 - 07.2016
- Taking care of entire region of Delhi & Rajasthan for Aspri Spirits
- Responsible for sales & marketing for the specified states
- Handling the team of 2 KAM's, 2 ASM's, & 8 B.D.E's for Delhi & Rajasthan
- Handling On & Off Premises and Corporation markets of Both Delhi & Rajasthan
- Monitored sales team performance and provided effective training to help reach targets
- Forecasted product sales and achieved quarterly and annual sales objectives
- Maintained friendly and professional customer interactions
- Retained existing customers and substantially grew customer base, product line and sales volume.
Area Sales Manager
Aspri Spirits Pvt. Ltd.
Jaipur
09.2013 - 12.2014
- Formulating strategies for business development and handling the budgeting aspects for the region
- Handling 05 RSBCL Depots and ensuring smooth flow of operations
- Explaining dealers about company schemes from time to time thereby increasing the sales
- Carry out exercises on effective branding and brand building through usage of merchandised tools
- Achieving targets and promotional sales through schemes implemented within the company norms
- Market and coordinate the launch of new products
- Managed team of over 4 direct reports by offering support and constructive feedback
- Regularly assessed, updated and improved existing policy, embedding knowledge of current industry developments
- Monitored and responded to competitor activity to stay ahead of marketplace trends.
F&B Trainer Cum Beverage & Wine Trainer
Indismart Group (IIHM)
Jaipur
07.2012 - 09.2013
- Looking After Beverage training for all the campuses (Jaipur, Pune, Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Bangalore) of IIHM & IAM(Part of Indismart group)
- Taking training's for Final year students as specialization for Food & Beverage
- Wine training's & beverage practical for students
- Cocktails & Mocktails training
- Implementing knowledge of liquors, wines, liqueurs, fortified wines etc to students
- Suggestive measures for up-selling & suggestive selling
- Soft skills training regarding communication & etiquettes in regards to customer & guest handling
- Training on drink responsibly & create a sense of drinking liquor
- Training on New world & Old world wines
- For e.g
- France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Hungary, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Chile, U.S.A etc
- Systematic wine training and creation of professional sommelier cadres
- Hosting wine events and promotional activities
- Primary focus is to create a robust and world-class wine culture by implementing and maintaining an effective wine program throughout the chain, including creation of new wine lists, conducting wine promotions, enhance visibility of wines within the chain's institutes
- Identifying training & development needs of the employees
- Co-ordination with other ancillary departments to ensure smooth functioning of operations
- Reviewing the Standard Operating Procedures and Task Competency inventory of each position
- Budgeting: Preparing training budget and ensuring that the training expenses are in-line with it
- Leadership Development program
- Conduct Customer interaction workshop Student training and welfare.
WINE SOMMELIER
Dhall Foods & Beverages Pvt. Ltd
New Delhi
05.2011 - 06.2012
- Responsible for brand activation throughout India
- Responsible for wine dinners, wine tastings, wine trainings for the company
- Daily on job training whilst improving productivity and efficiency
- Continuously improve and innovate upon products and services to achieve excellent guest satisfaction
- Customer Survey, maintaining public relationship, taking care, clients, and customer in order to take care of their needs and demands
- Ensuring commitment towards quality and profitability whilst encouraging repeat business and aim to become leaders in the industry.
Wine Sommelier
The Leela Kempinski Hotel & Residencies
Gurgaon
04.2010 - 04.2011
- Curated a broad wine list, adapting with menu changes to maintain innovative offerings
- Maintained advanced wine industry and trend knowledge to facilitate an exceptional experience for guests
- Engaged with guests to determine taste preference and budget prior to taking wine orders
- Selected food and wine pairings for customers, providing individual recommendations based on preferences
- Educated restaurant staff on wine list offerings to enhance customers' dining experience
- Maintained adequate inventory of wine selections to ensure customer satisfaction
- Provided guests with in-depth information on food and wine pairings, wine origins and subject matter
- Held wine tasting sessions for guests to showcase the selection of beverages available at The Leela Kempinski, offering advanced knowledge of a variety of wines
- Consistently maintained thorough knowledge of menus and wine selections available to ensure first-class customer service.
Bar and Restaurant Supervisor
The Leela Kempinski Hotel & Residencies
Gurgaon
10.2008 - 03.2010
- Regularly invented signature drinks, improving menu selection and variation
- Developed new cocktails by researching emerging industry trends and listening to customer feedback
- Maintained clean, organized bar in line with hygiene regulations
- Mixed drinks and served wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages for 100+ guests per shift
- Demonstrated full knowledge of all menu items, contents and preparation methods
- Ordered and maintained inventory of bar products, including alcohol, soft drinks and supplies to drive high volume of sales
- Independently prepared off-menu cocktails, coffees and other beverages for customers
- Influenced customer decision-making by applying upselling and cross-selling techniques to augment customers orders
- Oversaw bar inventory, restocked supplies and placed orders.
Senior Bartender
Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace
Jodhpur
01.2007 - 09.2008
- Optimized customer experience, serving each guest with sincere, positive and enthusiastic attitude
- Consulted with customers to determine drink and taste preferences, making appropriate recommendations to guarantee customer satisfaction
- Greeted and seated guests efficiently to establish prompt, high quality service
- Prepared and served ordered beverages, including coffee, espresso drinks and cocktails
- Kept detailed inventories of supplies, ensuring bar areas were strategically stocked to maintain efficient workflow
- Conducted regular counts of bar stock, promptly ordering low-stocked supplies on Bar Cop.
Education
WINE SOMMELIER Level-2 - undefined
Wine & Spirits Education Trust, London
B.Sc. In Hotel Management & Tourism Studies - undefined
NIHM, Dehradun, UT
10+2 - undefined
St. Xavier's Public School (NIOS Board), Jaipur, RJ
Skills
undefined
Timeline
Vice President of Sales and Business Development
Himalaya Wine Company Private Limited
05.2023 - Current
Sales Lead
NEFT Vodka Global (India) Pvt. Ltd.
08.2022 - 05.2023
Zonal Head - Operations
Organomix Ecosystems Pvt. Ltd.
10.2021 - 04.2022
Regional Sales Manager
Aspri Spirits Pvt. Ltd
11.2016 - 10.2021
Regional Manager - BIO
Modi Illva India Pvt. Ltd.
07.2016 - 11.2016
State Head Sales - Delhi & Rajasthan
Aspri Spirits Pvt. Ltd
01.2015 - 07.2016
Area Sales Manager
Aspri Spirits Pvt. Ltd.
09.2013 - 12.2014
F&B Trainer Cum Beverage & Wine Trainer
Indismart Group (IIHM)
07.2012 - 09.2013
WINE SOMMELIER
Dhall Foods & Beverages Pvt. Ltd
05.2011 - 06.2012
Wine Sommelier
The Leela Kempinski Hotel & Residencies
04.2010 - 04.2011
Bar and Restaurant Supervisor
The Leela Kempinski Hotel & Residencies
10.2008 - 03.2010
Senior Bartender
Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace
01.2007 - 09.2008
WINE SOMMELIER Level-2 - undefined
Wine & Spirits Education Trust, London
B.Sc. In Hotel Management & Tourism Studies - undefined
NIHM, Dehradun, UT
10+2 - undefined
St. Xavier's Public School (NIOS Board), Jaipur, RJ
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