Gaurav Gupta
Senior Category Manager
Bangalore
Summary
With 10 years of experience in e-commerce and omni-channel distribution, I specialize in GTM strategy, category management, and business scale-up. I have consistently delivered exceptional results in driving product growth, optimizing P&L for sustained profitability, and expanding category footprints. Passionate about forging strategic brand partnerships and delivering innovative solutions that fuel business growth.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Senior Category Manager - Footwear
Ajio - Reliance Retail
01.2023 - Current
- Managed the private-label footwear portfolio for Reliance's Omni-channel ecosystem, including B2B, B2C, distribution, and Fashion World Retail stores, ensuring optimized product assortment and competitive pricing strategies.
- Achieved a 20% increase in footwear sales, through comprehensive category strategies focusing on customer-centric assortments, effective pricing, and demand-driven promotions.
- 50% increase in in-app conversions and 33% rise in user engagement through strategic initiatives to improve user journey, enhance in-app functionality through personalised merchandising, cross-selling.
- Led the launch of over 20+ "Fashion World" retail stores across Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities, driving business growth by crafting tailored assortments, executing impactful merchandising strategies, optimizing promotions, and streamlining stock planning.
- Achieved a 10% reduction in procurement costs through effective negotiations with key suppliers, ensuring sustained product quality and improved margins.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with marketing and sales teams to design and launch strategic campaigns, boosting brand awareness by 20%
Category Zonal Supply Lead-Lifestyle (South)
Udaan
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Led a team of 11 key account managers to grow the Fashion category from 8 Cr to 21 Cr monthly GMV for 150+ sellers. Oversaw brand relationship, P & L, Ad sales, inventory planning, first party buy and sell and in-app merchandising.
- Manage buying and selling for popular athleisure brands like Techno Sport and Max Zone.
- Full ownership of regional business performance, including revenue and profitability goals.
- Oversee demand forecasting, supply coordination, and marketing for a business worth ₹250 Cr+ annually.
- Achieved growth by introducing better pricing strategies, setting target-based margins, increasing ad spend, and enhancing the product mix, driving growth from 5% to 6.5%.
Category Manager - Fabric & Covid Essentials
Udaan
03.2019 - 12.2021
- Team Management: Led a high-performing team of 10 MRs, 2 KAMs, and 40 dedicated FOS to achieve business objectives.
- User Engagement Growth: Increased wallet share by 15% through app properties like DOTD, Flash Deals, Ucoins, and cart schemes.
- Profitability Enhancement: Improved overall P&L by 8% in 9 months through strategic initiatives across portfolios.
- Ad Sales Strategy: Scaled ad products such as PLA and Manage Ads on MP, integrating ad plans into trade marketing schemes for key brands.
- Strategic Partnerships: Onboarded and closed JBP deals with flagship brand CXOs, including Raymond, Bombay Dyeing, Murarka, and Sangam Group.
Brand Manager
Udaan
09.2018 - 02.2019
- On boarded 22 trade brands like Raymond's, Lux, Rupa etc., in a span of 3 months
Client Success Manager - South India
Bizongo
06.2018 - 08.2018
- Generating the revenue of 1.8 CR quarterly, taking care of India's biggest E-Commerce company's packaging requirements
- Handling the Myntra Marketplace business for Pan India and other accounts like Printo, Meghraj foods, Big Basket
- Grown the wallet share to 12% to 65% for Myntra
E-commerce Manager
Hidesign
11.2017 - 06.2018
- Overseeing management of hidesign.com - content, product and design
- Looking after Marketing, Operations & increasing sales for other E-com marketplaces - Jabong, Flipkart, Amazon & Myntra
- Increased sales from 12 lakh per month to 34 lakhs in two months for HIDESIGN website
Category Manager
Browntape
03.2015 - 10.2017
- Responsible for handling Profit & Loss of 100+ brands in Footwear, Men's Fashion & Bags - Luggage Categories
- Increasing sales productivity through category development, improving content, pricing, assortment planning, merchandising, and executing promotional activities
- Grew the category sale from 80 Lakh to 2.7 CR, by aggressively suggesting new products, pricing, forecasting, sourcing and forging strong partnerships with Brand & marketplaces
Education
MBA - Marketing
Symbiosis Institute of International Business
Pune, India 01.2013 - 01.2015
BBA - IT
Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies And Research
01.2009 - 01.2012
Skills
- Strategic Planning & Business Growth
- Merchandising & Assortment Planning
- P&L and Financial Acumen
- Vendor Management
- Marketing Campaigns
- Online Marketplace
- Pricing strategy
Timeline
Senior Category Manager - Footwear
Ajio - Reliance Retail
01.2023 - Current
Category Zonal Supply Lead-Lifestyle (South)
Udaan
01.2022 - 12.2022
Category Manager - Fabric & Covid Essentials
Udaan
03.2019 - 12.2021
Brand Manager
Udaan
09.2018 - 02.2019
Client Success Manager - South India
Bizongo
06.2018 - 08.2018
E-commerce Manager
Hidesign
11.2017 - 06.2018
Category Manager
Browntape
03.2015 - 10.2017
MBA - Marketing
Symbiosis Institute of International Business
01.2013 - 01.2015
BBA - IT
Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies And Research
01.2009 - 01.2012
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