Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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RAJ DHOLE

Summary

As a result-oriented individual with experience in sourcing, commercial management, and category buying, I possess a logical mindset and a practical approach to problem-solving. My key strengths include negotiating, purchasing, and a desire to learn and apply my existing skills to contribute to your organization.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience

Work History

Category Manager

First LivingSpace (ZIKI & SIRUS.AI)
Mumbai
12.2023 - Current
  • Lead category development from concept to execution, guiding market research, vendor selection, and onboarding.
  • Conduct thorough market analysis to understand emerging trends, consumer preferences, and competitive landscapes, guiding strategic decisions.
  • Identify and assess potential vendors, negotiate contracts, and onboard partners aligned with category objectives and profitability targets.
  • Develop inclusive P&L structures for each category, focusing on revenue optimization, cost efficiency, and margin improvement.
  • Collaborate with internal teams to craft tailored marketing strategies, promotions, and product assortments for each category.
  • Monitor category performance metrics, including sales, margins, and inventory turnover, to pinpoint areas for enhancement and implement corrective measures.
  • Provide mentorship, guidance, and feedback to a team of category specialists to nurture a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Category Manager

Salon Category, Urban Company
Mumbai
09.2022 - 05.2023
  • Cultivating and managing relationships with a network of 3000+ service professionals across 3 States
  • Successfully achieved a 40% year-over-year increase by planning and executing over 5,000+ deliveries during the Diwali season
  • Spearheaded operational excellence across three states by skillfully executing strategic planning initiatives.
  • Achieved and surpassed delivery targets by 30% for the months of October, November, and December in 2022.
  • Led and motivated a team of 15+ BDA to consistently achieve delivery targets through effective coaching, mentoring, and timely troubleshooting support
  • Conducted various trial runs for different services to gain insights into market demand and customer preferences
  • Collaborated with cross-functional internal partners in marketing, technology, and product to successfully execute multiple category and central level projects

Category Manager

Infiniti Retail Limited, A Tata Enterprise
10.2021 - 09.2022
  • Successfully launching 75+ products across various categories through both online and offline channels
  • Enabled the sales team to overachieved revenue target by 120% in Q2 2022
  • Develop promotional and pricing strategy aimed at achieving a margin improvement of over 40%
  • Analyzed historical performance data to identify inventory optimization opportunities and implemented proactive actions to improve inventory positions and boost sales
  • Aligned inventory plans with sales forecasts and product trends to meet customer demand effectively.
  • Successfully achieved a turnover rate of 5.5x by efficiently managing the inventory
  • Established key relationships with 10+ vendors and managed 60+ product profitably
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement inventory adjustments and monitor their impact on sales performance
  • Continuously analyze market trends and enhance the product lineup through diligent market research
  • Identified and onboarded new vendors with the goal of Make in India product range
  • Achieving cost reductions through strategic contract negotiations

Associate Buyer

Infiniti Retail Limited, A Tata Enterprise
04.2019 - 10.2021
  • Effectively managed inventory control across 200+ Croma stores and 9 Distribution Centers
  • Monitored DC stock via SAP tool and expedited transfers based on calculated stock reports
  • Implemented the Just-in-Time method to optimize inventory management
  • Trained 200+ store employees on product knowledge to drive sales
  • Managed and updated the Daily Sales Report to effectively coordinate demand and supply
  • Managed and negotiated with multiple vendors from LC at sight timely payments and cost-effective deals
  • Established cross-department collaboration for seamless project coordination and goal alignment.

Intern

Aditya Birla Sunlife Insurance
Mumbai
04.2018 - 09.2018
  • Conducted market research and spread awareness about policies of Aditya Birla Group through elaborate questionnaires
  • Awarded as the Best Coordinator and Trainer during internship
  • Strategized and sold insurance policy worth 1 Lakh
  • Improvised on various pitching techniques and applied them on qualified leads
  • Conducted competitor product research and documented industry-specific consumer behavior for comprehensive market analysis

Education

Bachelors - management studies- Marketing

Pillai’s College of ACS
Navi Mumbai
2016

HSC -

Motilal Jhunjhunwala College
Navi Mumbai
2013

SSC -

Apeejay School- CBSE Board
Navi Mumbai
2011

PGDM - Marketing

ITM Business School
Navi Mumbai
2019

Skills

  • Pricing Strategies
  • Product Lifecycle Management
  • Sales Forecasting
  • Budget Forecasting
  • Leadership
  • Team Player
  • Contract Negotiation

Timeline

Category Manager

First LivingSpace (ZIKI & SIRUS.AI)
12.2023 - Current

Category Manager

Salon Category, Urban Company
09.2022 - 05.2023

Category Manager

Infiniti Retail Limited, A Tata Enterprise
10.2021 - 09.2022

Associate Buyer

Infiniti Retail Limited, A Tata Enterprise
04.2019 - 10.2021

Intern

Aditya Birla Sunlife Insurance
04.2018 - 09.2018

Bachelors - management studies- Marketing

Pillai’s College of ACS

HSC -

Motilal Jhunjhunwala College

SSC -

Apeejay School- CBSE Board

PGDM - Marketing

ITM Business School

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RAJ DHOLE