P.G. BALAGURU
New Product Development - Manager
Chennai
Summary
Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
R & D and Food Processing Manager
IBL (Indrayani Biotech Ltd)
11.2022 - Current
- Develop & standard recipe & Operating process
- Improve Efficiency by Process Automation, cutting down wastage & maintain accuracy
- Coordination in development of custom made software ERP
- Derive Policy & Standard Procedures for ISO 22000.
- Planned and budgeted accurately to provide business with resources needed to operate smoothly.
- Developed and implemented business strategies to achieve business goals and stay competitive.
- Drove operational efficiency through data-driven decision-making processes, leveraging analytics tools for informed strategy development.
- Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules and monitoring call-outs.
- Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
- Improved marketing to attract new customers and promote business.
- Implemented innovative marketing campaigns that boosted brand awareness and generated significant sales leads.
- Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
Heading New Product Development Centre
GFM Retail Pvt Ltd (Tendercuts)
10.2021 - 11.2022
- Develop New Product & Category (RTC, RTE & Raw Meat cuts)
- Product Costing & Vendor co-ordination & Negotiation
- Setting up Production Process with Quality Standards & Control Methods with trials
- Co- ordinating Launch Process.
- Oversaw preparation of marketing copy, images, videos, emails, and other collateral.
- Secured long-term accounts by recommending strategies to promote brand effectiveness and highlight product benefits.
- Fostered creativity within the team through brainstorming sessions that encouraged innovation.
- Directed concept design, feature definitions and production support.
- Captured new customers by optimizing business strategies and launching products to diversify offerings.
- Managed budget allocation and resource utilization to maximize marketing ROI.
- Conducted market research to understand customer needs and identify potential opportunities.
- Established strong vendor relationships to ensure efficient supply chain management during new product development phases.
- Identified opportunities for new products and improvements to existing products to increase sales.
- Generated sponsorships with related and partnering entities to enhance marketing objectives.
Working Partner
Free Lancer on Food Consultancy
06.2013 - 09.2021
- Technically Support new /existing - food based Projects.
- Updated and resolved incidents and managed accessorial charges objectively while maximizing profit.
- Stayed informed on industry developments and market trends to gain competitive advantage.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, optimizing costs while maintaining quality standards.
- Recruited, trained and mentored attorneys, paralegals and support staff to strengthen legal team.
- Implemented marketing strategies to expand the firm''s reach, attracting new clients and increasing revenue.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Raised property accuracy and accountability by creating new automated tracking method.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering collaboration and driving performance improvements.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
- Championed corporate social responsibility efforts, contributing positively to community development initiatives.
Area Manager - Operations
Café Coffee Day
05.2012 - 06.2013
- Area wise Cafe Operation – 14 cafes
- Drive Operation Excellence (audits & coaching)
- Drive Units Profitability
- Actual to Budget.
- Resolved problems with high-profile customers to maintain relationships and increase return customer base.
- Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
- Managed inventory and reduced shrinkage by 6 % through detailed monitoring of daily operations and stock.
- Managed daily operations for optimal performance, ensuring timely completion of tasks and projects.
- Implemented systems and procedures to increase sales.
- Generated financial and operational reports to assist management with business strategy
- Increased team productivity by streamlining processes and implementing more efficient systems
- Managed daily operations for optimal performance, ensuring timely completion of tasks and projects
Restaurant General Manager
KFC (Hyson Restaurant Pvt Ltd)
11.2010 - 04.2012
- Top in command (No.1 Leader) - Restaurant Operation
- Building up people's capability & work culture
- Drive Units Profitability
- Actual to Budget
- Balance all KPI areas (People, Customer, Sales & Profit).
- Tracked daily sales transactions and invoices for accurate and updated financial reporting.
- Identified problems, conducted troubleshooting and sought repair or maintenance support to keep restaurant equipment operational.
- Reduced health risks and safety hazards by preparing beverage products consistently while creating cleaning schedules, restocking items and sanitizing equipment to adhere to health department standards.
- Set clear expectations and created positive working environment for employees.
- Handled escalated customer concerns with speed and knowledgeable support to achieve optimal satisfaction and maintain long-term loyalty.
- Prepared restaurant business plan by reviewing demands, analyzing competitors and developing projections for sales and finances.
- Oversaw balancing of cash registers, reconciled transactions, and deposited establishment's earnings to bank.
- Reconciled cash and credit card transactions to maintain accurate records.
- Met, greeted, and encouraged feedback from customers and used feedback to implement positive changes within restaurant.
Asst. Production Manager & MR -ISO 22000
Convenio Foods International (P) Ltd
04.2007 - 10.2010
- Accountable to manufacture Quality product & deliver timely
- Effective - Utilization of resources & Waste control
- Value addition in New Product Development
- Co-ordinate with Projects in automation of manufacturing process
- Training & development of manufacturing team.
- Scrutinized production output and identified areas for improvement.
- Implemented safety protocols, resulting in a decrease in workplace accidents and injuries.
- Analyzed production data and prepared reports for senior management.
- Standardized production procedures, job roles, and quality assurance guidelines.
- Contributed to company growth by delivering quality customer service to foster growth and retention.
- Assisted in reducing production costs by streamlining processes and eliminating waste.
- Partnered with leadership on recruiting, hiring and coaching production personnel.
- Estimated labor requirements to support anticipated workload.
- Introduced innovative solutions for equipment maintenance issues, extending the lifespan of critical machinery.
- Implemented scheduled maintenance, retooling production status sheets and driving tasks to achieve scheduling effectiveness.
- Managed internal operational standards and productivity targets.
Process Controller
Convenio Foods International (P) Ltd
01.2006 - 04.2007
- Ensure manufacturing & Quality Standards in place
- Plan, Derive, Implement, Analyze & set Standards & Norms
- Effective - Utilization of resources, Production Plan, Material mgmt
- New Product Development & Food Costing.
- Improved production efficiency by optimizing process control strategies and implementing data-driven adjustments.
- Maintained meticulous documentation of all process changes, enabling accurate knowledge transfer among team members during shift handovers.
- Streamlined communication between departments, effectively addressing process-related concerns and fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Monitored product quality at all stages of production process.
- Implemented advanced automation techniques to increase production capacity without sacrificing product quality or safety standards.
- Troubleshot a variety of instrumentation issues, reducing potential hazards while maintaining production output levels.
- Coordinated with systems partners to finalize designs and confirm requirements.
- Examined products for imperfections and defects.
- Enhanced product quality by closely monitoring key process parameters and making necessary adjustments in realtime.
Catering Supervisor
MRF Ltd Pondicherry
12.1998 - 01.2006
- Over all responsible for the units Catering Requirement
- Ensure Food Quality Standards & Hold Standby Stock
- Maintain Food Costing & Subsidy arrangement
- Co-ordination & Implement 5S & TPM standards in catering facility
- Additionally responsibilities in Human Resources Dept activities of Statutory Compliances (PF, E.S.I)
- Training coordinator
- Administration of Labor and Job Contracts
- Recruitment of Company Workforce
- First Aid and Ambulance service.
- Sourced high-quality ingredients from local vendors whenever possible, supporting community businesses and ensuring fresh flavors in our dishes.
- Reduced food waste by closely monitoring inventory levels and implementing proper food storage techniques.
- Planned, scheduled and oversaw tastings allowing interested parties and clients to sample popular menu items prior to making selections.
- Mentored junior team members in the art of exceptional service delivery, fostering a culture of excellence within the catering department.
- Monitored food inventory and supplies to prevent waste.
- Planned routine upkeep of kitchen equipment and facilities for safe and efficient operations.
Education
Diploma - Hotel Management And Catering Technology
Institute of Hotel Management
Taramani 04.2001 -
Skills
Education Qualification
Diploma in Hotel Management & Catering Technology from IHM Taramani, Adyar during 1995 – 98.
Professional Training Experience
- IBL (Indrayani Biotech Ltd) - A Diet Express, Catering, R & D and Food Processing Manager, 11/2022 - Present, Develop & standard recipe & Operating process, Improve Efficiency by Process Automation, cutting down wastage & maintain accuracy., Coordination in development of custom made software ERP, Derive Policy & Standard Procedures for ISO 22000
- GFM Retail Pvt Ltd (Tendercuts), Heading New Product Development Centre, 10/2021 - 11/2022, Chennai, Develop New Product & Category (RTC, RTE & Raw Meat cuts), Product Costing & Vendor co-ordination & Negotiation, Setting up Production Process with Quality Standards & Control Methods with trials., Co-ordinating Launch Process
- Free Lancer on Food Consultancy, Working Partner, 06/2013 - 09/2021, Cock ‘A' Doodle | Deli Express | Pasta Land | K2 Bodar Kadai | Eatza Pizza | POPO Foods | DC Foods India Pvt Ltd, Market research & Concept development, Manual to Mechanization transformation process, Product development, Business Plan and focus, Training and development, Operational Manual and SOP's
- Café Coffee Day, Area Manager - Operations, 05/2012 - 06/2013, Chennai, Area wise Cafe Operation – 14 cafes, Drive Operation Excellence (audits & coaching), Drive Units Profitability. Actual to Budget
- KFC (Hyson Restaurant Pvt Ltd), Restaurant General Manager, 11/2010 - 04/2012, Citi Centre till August-11 & SP Infocity, Top in command (No.1 Leader) - Restaurant Operation, Building up people's capability & work culture, Drive Units Profitability. Actual to Budget, Balance all KPI areas (People, Customer, Sales & Profit)
- Convenio Foods International (P) Ltd, Asst. Production Manager & MR -ISO 22000, 04/2007 - 10/2010, Mambakkam, Chennai, Accountable to manufacture Quality product & deliver timely., Effective - Utilization of resources & Waste control., Value addition in New Product Development., Co-ordinate with Projects in automation of manufacturing process., Training & development of manufacturing team
- Convenio Foods International (P) Ltd, Process Controller, 01/2006 - 04/2007, Ensure manufacturing & Quality Standards in place., Plan, Derive, Implement, Analyze & set Standards & Norms, Effective - Utilization of resources, Production Plan, Material mgmt., New Product Development & Food Costing
- MRF Ltd Pondicherry, Catering Supervisor, 12/1998 - 01/2006, Nettapakkam, Pondicherry, Over all responsible for the units Catering Requirement., Ensure Food Quality Standards & Hold Standby Stock., Maintain Food Costing & Subsidy arrangement., Co-ordination & Implement 5S & TPM standards in catering facility, Additionally responsibilities in Human Resources Dept activities of Statutory Compliances (PF, E.S.I), Training coordinator, Administration of Labor and Job Contracts., Recruitment of Company Workforce, First Aid and Ambulance service.
Career Achievements
- Set up of External Kitchen for MRF Pondicherry during initial stage.
- Plan & Implement Kitchen Project inside factory premises
- Certify ISO 22000:2005 Standards from TUV SUD for CFIPL in four months.
- Break Negative trend and achieve positive trend on sales & profit - KFC
- Balance the Key Performance Areas to required target, consistently – KFC
- First to launch Home service (home delivery) for Hyson restaurant.
- Emerge south area to be the highest turnover area – CCD
- Creation, Support & Troubleshoot for several F & B Sector.
Personal Information
- Father's Name: Late P.Guruswamy (Divisional Engineer), Chennai Telephones
- Number of Children: Two
- Notice Period: One Month
- Date of Birth: 09/21/77
- Nationality: Indian
- Marital Status: Married
Disclaimer
I hereby declare that the information furnished above is true to the best of my knowledge.
Timeline
R & D and Food Processing Manager
IBL (Indrayani Biotech Ltd)
11.2022 - Current
Heading New Product Development Centre
GFM Retail Pvt Ltd (Tendercuts)
10.2021 - 11.2022
Working Partner
Free Lancer on Food Consultancy
06.2013 - 09.2021
Area Manager - Operations
Café Coffee Day
05.2012 - 06.2013
Restaurant General Manager
KFC (Hyson Restaurant Pvt Ltd)
11.2010 - 04.2012
Asst. Production Manager & MR -ISO 22000
Convenio Foods International (P) Ltd
04.2007 - 10.2010
Process Controller
Convenio Foods International (P) Ltd
01.2006 - 04.2007
Diploma - Hotel Management And Catering Technology
Institute of Hotel Management
04.2001 -
Catering Supervisor
MRF Ltd Pondicherry
12.1998 - 01.2006
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