Pankaj Jain
Vice President - Corporate Strategy and Business Development - India & MENA
Mumbai,MH
Summary
Innovative professional with over 25 years of experience in food industry, consistently rewarded for success in leading and planning operational improvements with a history of over achieving company goals . Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand. Seasoned leader in sales & marketing strategy development and team management positively impacting overall morale, creativity and productivity.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
V.P. Corporate Strategy & Business Development
Rich Products & Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Mumbai, MH
01.2021 - Current
- Led India leadership team to draw an aggressive growth plan to catapult the organization into a Digitally Driven Leading Food Solutions Company by 2025
- Developed overarching Business Unit Strategy to achieve next stage of aggressive growth defining Geographies , Customer Channels, Products and Services and Route to Market , that will help deliver desired results.
- Performed while we transformed the business to deliver YoY growth of high double digits even during tough pandemic times
- Improved our market share by 500 basis points by focusing on core principals of customer delight and product quality
- Took on the role of establishing business in the unexplored territories of the Middle East and North Africa.
- Prepared a detailed long term business plan for the MENA region outlining areas of focus for short term and long term- countries , channels, products
- Established key partnerships in the region to increase our penetration and presence in the region
General Manager- Sales, Marketing, Technical
Rich Graviss Products Private Limited
Mumbai, Maharashtra
01.2014 - 12.2020
- For third time in a row, exceeded organisational targets by more than 50%, increasing market share by 8%.
- Lead sales team to increase market share in Whip Topping Product category from 38% to 46% in span of 4 years.
- Increased sales by 25% by establishing goals, overseeing performance and improving efficiencies
- Streamlined workflow, built teams & motivated them towards organisation’s goals and enhanced business performance.
- Delivered business strategy and developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency
- Developed effective business plans to align strategic decisions with long-term objectives.
- Developed value-added solutions and approaches by leveraging trends in customer marketplaces and industries.
- Improved brand awareness by monitoring all marketing campaigns and fostering membership acquisitions and business development.
- Devised and deployed successful marketing strategies, dramatically boosting brand equity.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty through continuous support and training programs.
- Increased monthly staff retention rate by 12% by reworking sales compensation and rewards program
- Organised budgets, oversaw P&Ls and achieved margin targets consistently to stay on track with growth plans.
Corporate Chef
Rich Graviss Products Private Limited
Mumbai, Maharashtra
05.2011 - 12.2014
- Redefined the chef organisation and built a team of 35 highly skilled and capable chefs to represent the organisation in the market.
- Worked with the R&D to clarify customer needs and launched 3 new products in a yea.
- Won a global organisational award for process improvement in delivering culinary services to the customers.
- Delivered technical sales support to increase customers' business with culinary applications and solutions.
- Defined roles at various levels in detail and recruited the right people to fulfil the roles.
- Created a base of loyal customers by understanding their needs & aligning culinary and marketing resources to deliver service solutions to the customers.
CEO- West Region
Barbeque Nation
Mumbai, Maharashtra
01.2010 - 03.2011
- Developed and implemented new strategies and policies in collaboration with executive partners to establish and achieve long-term business objectives, providing company with strong and sustainable organisational leadership.
- Shaped solutions and approaches by leveraging trends in customer marketplaces and industries.
- Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
- Achieved targets with accelerated growth rate.
- Achieved new heights in customer delight for the region as measured in guest service Index
- Turned around a loss making outlet to a profit venture by effectively managing costs and increasing table rotation to achieve highest utilisation.
- Set up an outsourced central kitchen and processes to achieve consistently high quality of product to the customer.
- Designed the first new look restaurant in Barbeque Nation chain
- Struck deals for new projects at much lower cost as compared to parallel projects in the same city and market benchmarks.
- Created the regional organisational structure with effective systems for monitoring the individual units and teams.
National Manager- Culinary, Trade Marketing & Key Accounts
Rich Graviss Products Pvt. Ltd.
Mumbai, Maharashtra
10.2001 - 01.2010
- Supervised business & brand promotions, including product promotions, trade shows, brand strategy, positioning.
- Set up and maintained a nation-wide organisation of 50 chefs
- Performed various functions, including supporting R&D with insights, developing new business platforms, budgeting, innovating culinary applications.
- Managed the Key Accounts Portfolio & Overseas Business development in Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives & Russia.
- Received training and certification from our global training centres in China & Vietnam, HACCP certification & attended a training conducted by American Institute Of Baking.
Chef De Cuisine
Radha Krishna Hospitality Services
Mumbai, MH
01.2000 - 09.2001
- Forecasted seasonal staffing levels and interviewed and hired new staff members.
- Implemented regular menu engineering to turn around a loss making sight to highly profitable venture.
- Collaborated with vendors and suppliers to obtain quality recipe ingredients while adhering to company budgets.
- Monitored line processes to maintain consistency in quality, quantity and presentation.
- Aligned seasonal promotions with ingredient availability to maximize profits.
Business Head
Zaiqah Hospitality
Ambala, Haryana
12.1998 - 01.2000
- Consulting services for establishing hotels/ restaurants.
- Owned and managed a confectionery shop
Chef De Partie
BELGICA- Jewel of India
Mumbai, MH
04.1998 - 12.1998
- Operated highly acclaimed Belgian Bistro
- Collaborated with vendors and suppliers to obtain quality recipe ingredients while adhering to company budgets.
- Produced innovative menu offerings to promote company awareness and customer satisfaction.
Hotel Operations Management Trainee- Kitchen
Indian Hotels
Mumbai, MH
06.1997 - 12.1998
- Worked in India Veg Main kitchen to service high paced banquets at Taj Mahal Hotel Mumbai
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
Education
Pro- Chef I - Culinary Arts
Culinary Institute of America
San Antonio 06.2016 - 06.2016
Executive Management Program in Sales & Marketing - Sales And Marketing Education
IIM - Lucknow
Noida 01.2012 - 09.2013
Bachelors of Hospitality Management - Hospitality Administration And Management
IGNOU
Delhi 01.2005 - 08.2005
Diploma in Hotel Management - Hospitality Administration And Management
Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology
Mumbai 08.1994 - 04.1997
C.A. Foundation Course - Accounting And Finance
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Delhi 06.1992 - 09.1993
Skills
Business Strategy
Profit Centre Management
Sales Leadership and Management
Marketing Strategy
Business Development
Opening New Markets
Creating an ever enhancing Value Proposition
Creative Problem Solving and Design Thinking
New Product Development and Speed to Market
Timeline
V.P. Corporate Strategy & Business Development
Rich Products & Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
01.2021 - Current
Pro- Chef I - Culinary Arts
Culinary Institute of America
06.2016 - 06.2016
General Manager- Sales, Marketing, Technical
Rich Graviss Products Private Limited
01.2014 - 12.2020
Executive Management Program in Sales & Marketing - Sales And Marketing Education
IIM - Lucknow
01.2012 - 09.2013
Corporate Chef
Rich Graviss Products Private Limited
05.2011 - 12.2014
CEO- West Region
Barbeque Nation
01.2010 - 03.2011
Bachelors of Hospitality Management - Hospitality Administration And Management
IGNOU
01.2005 - 08.2005
National Manager- Culinary, Trade Marketing & Key Accounts
Rich Graviss Products Pvt. Ltd.
10.2001 - 01.2010
Chef De Cuisine
Radha Krishna Hospitality Services
01.2000 - 09.2001
Business Head
Zaiqah Hospitality
12.1998 - 01.2000
Chef De Partie
BELGICA- Jewel of India
04.1998 - 12.1998
Hotel Operations Management Trainee- Kitchen
Indian Hotels
06.1997 - 12.1998
Diploma in Hotel Management - Hospitality Administration And Management
Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology
08.1994 - 04.1997
C.A. Foundation Course - Accounting And Finance
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
06.1992 - 09.1993