Mahesh Nagarethinam
BENGALURU
Summary
Leader in shoe industry with extensive experience in price control, quality management, and profitability across major companies including AstorMueller and Li & Fung. Expertise in optimizing procurement processes and negotiating with leather and synthetic shoe suppliers. Demonstrated success in enhancing vendor relationships and implementing cost management strategies that improve supplier performance. Skilled in strategic sourcing and fostering cross-team collaboration to meet business goals.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Sourcing & Price Controller
AstorMueller Shoes Pvt Ltd
BENGALURU
04.2012 - Current
- Cultivating relationships with key stakeholders to optimize procurement processes.
- Leading cross-functional (domestic & global) teams to align on sourcing initiatives and pricing goals.
- Guiding and supporting junior colleagues to enhance team performance.
- Facilitating selection of new suppliers based on cost, quality, reliability, and delivery timelines.
- Negotiating with vendors to secure favorable prices and terms of delivery.
- Analyzing supplier performance data to identify improvement opportunities in sourcing processes.
- Managing vendor relationships to ensure high-quality products at competitive prices.
- Monitoring raw material market prices to plan sourcing strategies.
- Responsible for quality & delivery of products for major European brands like Hugo Boss, Gabor, Salamander, bugatti, Mexx, Next et al.
General Manager Footwear Division
A V Thomas Leather and Allied Products Pvt Ltd
CHENNAI
02.2002 - 01.2010
- Responsible for seamless operations to ensure efficient workflow and productivity.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans for business growth and market expansion.
- Managed budgets to control expenses and maximize resource allocation.
- Fostered a positive workplace culture through leadership and team-building initiatives.
- Coordinated with external partners to enhance service offerings and customer satisfaction.
- Managed all aspects of daily business operations including budgeting, staffing, scheduling, inventory control, customer service and sales.
- Delivered exceptional client experiences through hands-on leadership of associates and managers.
- Maintained relationships with vendors to obtain the best pricing on supplies and materials.
- Connect with the board members' team to review the strategy (industry vs. peer vs. company strategy)
- Guided the entire team (1,500, including. workers) to operationalise strategy through tactics, priorities and goals.
- Reviewed financial statements and sales / activity reports to measure productivity viz. goals.
- Improved productivity initiatives, managing budgets and accounts.
- Coordinated and gave downstream goals to businesses / departments concerning production, pricing and sales.
Commercial Officer (Technical)
Schmenger Leder India
CHENNAI
02.1993 - 09.1999
- Managed vendor relationships to ensure timely supply of goods and services.
- Managed supplier relationships, ensuring performance was in line with contractual agreements.
- Coordinated activities across different departments to meet deadlines efficiently.
- Developed policies, procedures and processes for the delivery of goods and services.
- Monitored customer service levels to ensure they were meeting agreed standards.
- Assessed customer feedback to improve product quality and service delivery.
- Priced structures for products for increased profitability.
- Maintained positive working relationship with fellow staff and management.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
- Identified areas for improvement, narrowing focus for decision-makers in making necessary changes.
- Oversaw quality control to identify inconsistencies and malfunctions.
Junior Executive Production
Ramco Super Leathers Ltd
Vellore and Chennai
07.1991 - 01.1993
- Prepared staff work schedules and assigned team members to specific duties.
Education
Certificate Masters in Leadership Essentials
ISB
Hyderabad08-2024
German Language B2.2
Goethe Institute
Chennai07-2022
Master of Science - Management Systems
BITS
PILANI09-1999
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Bharath Engineering College, University of Madras
Chennai07-1991
Skills
- Supplier negotiation
- Procurement process optimization
- Vendor relationship management
- Supplier performance analysis
- Cost management
- Strategic sourcing
- Leadership; mentoring for several industry colleagues
Affiliations
- Author of Harmony- Redefining Borders, a political fiction
Accomplishments
- Led A.V. Thomas Leather and Allied Products to the Leading Exporter Award in the year 2005 Contributed to building the footwear division from scratch to a turnover of Rupees 500 Million. Awarded by Council for Leather Exports (Ministry of Industries) for this achievement
Timeline
Head of Sourcing & Price Controller
AstorMueller Shoes Pvt Ltd
04.2012 - Current
General Manager Footwear Division
A V Thomas Leather and Allied Products Pvt Ltd
02.2002 - 01.2010
Commercial Officer (Technical)
Schmenger Leder India
02.1993 - 09.1999
Junior Executive Production
Ramco Super Leathers Ltd
07.1991 - 01.1993
Certificate Masters in Leadership Essentials
ISB
German Language B2.2
Goethe Institute
Master of Science - Management Systems
BITS
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Bharath Engineering College, University of Madras