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
undefinedTimeline
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
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