SAGAR SAWANT
Mumbai
Summary
Seasoned Operations Head with Six Sigma certification and extensive experience in managing business operations. Proven track record in streamlining processes and enhancing productivity through effective operational strategies in supply chain and deliveries. Expertise in strategic planning, procurement, and team leadership has led to significant efficiency improvements and cost reductions.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Head of Operations – Warehouse, Print Production, I.T. and Admin
Amar Chitra Katha Pvt. Ltd.
Mumbai
07.2019 - Current
- Led cross-functional teams of 20 members to enhance operational efficiency and streamline processes.
- Conducted performance reviews, set goals, and provided constructive feedback.
- Provided leadership, mentorship, and guidance to team members in order to foster a collaborative work environment.
- Developed and implemented standard operating procedures for daily operations management.
- Collaborated with senior management to align operational strategies to build a logistics partner network for B2B, B2C and Overseas Export
- Implemented innovative solutions that improved operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Analyzed data to identify process improvement areas, achieving 15% reduction in operational costs.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations while maintaining organized warehouse environment.
- Oversaw supply chain logistics to ensure timely delivery of products and services.
- Implemented quality control measures to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
- Facilitated communication between departments to promote collaboration and information sharing.
- Analyzed performance data to identify areas for improvement in operational workflows.
- Managed inventory systems to optimize stock levels and minimize waste effectively.
- Coordinated training programs for staff to improve skills and operational knowledge.
- Managed budgets for operations departments and ensured cost-effectiveness.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers to secure competitive pricing.
Operations Manager – Print (for AUS & NZ Operations)
Ad2pro Media Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Bangalore
11.2018 - 06.2019
- Responsible to administrate day-to-day production activities for both AU and NZ team working on creative ads for magazine and newspaper publication.
- Ensure proper support and coverage is available for all clients for quality delivery and OTD of all submissions.
- Ensure effective communication among various partners including onshore/offshore sale support team, client representative and studio team for fast and accurate turnaround.
- Constantly push the team to improve productivity, utilization & ensure QC standards are maintained for all jobs.
- Creative Design Studio for global media groups like Fairfax Media, News Corp Australia, APN News & Media, Gate House Media, Newsquest Media Group, etc.
Manager – Production Operations (for US & UK Operations)
Meredith Corp.
Bangalore
09.2016 - 10.2018
- Responsible to administrate day-to-day production activities for both US and UK team working on 70+ products ranging from Books, Magazines and Bookazines.
- The primary task is to lead, motivate, inspire, and encourage the team. Also responsible for hiring, disciplining, training and evaluating the team.
- Ensure effective communication among various partners including printers, supply chain and studio team for fast and accurate turnaround.
- Continually push to improve workflow efficiencies and ensure QC standards.
- Analyze the project and put the best plan across to assure completion of established objectives within scheduled guidelines.
- Provide timely updates to the management and share best practices with offshore counter parts.
- Approve print & pre-media invoices for payment processing.
- Maintain orderly & accurate job folders & databases with complete job history allowing for easy future reference.
- Coaching and mentoring the team, as well as other allied teams within the organization.
- Publisher of TIME, Sports Illustrated, Fortune 500, Money, People, Wallpaper, Travel + Leisure, etc.
Senior Manager – Print Production
Amar Chitra Katha Pvt. Ltd.
Mumbai
12.2011 - 09.2016
- Coordinated the flow of printing at different printing press across country.
- Collaborated with multiple teams within organization to help create, manage and execute various projects ranging from magazine, comic books, trade books, children books, brochures, media kits, product packaging, Print-on-Demand system, character merchandizing products like mugs, t-shirt, caps, stickers, POP and POS advertising display stands, disc replication with case/labels, event backdrops & standees to direct mail promotions.
- Responsible for project tracking via internal proprietary database, Purchase Orders, Statements of Work, closing invoices and delivery tracking.
- Managed print projects of annually budget ₹10M from start to finish while providing margins of 20% and up for the company.
- Maintain relationships with current suppliers, as well as interviewing and qualifying new vendors.
- Evaluate quotes and use cost benefit analysis to determine the best source for the project, negotiate and finalize price.
- Reviewing design specifications, color/image retouching and troubleshooting any issues to ensure smooth production workflow.
- Served as primary point of contact between the agency and different representatives of the media for concept transformation.
- Mentoring, coaching and developing skills within the team to achieve company goals.
- Calculate raw material and production cost. Create P&L statement for each product with BU head’s.
- Understand life cycle of a product and workout best production and logistics solution.
- Responsible for the final proofreading and editing of all printed materials and ensured that all creative produced are within brand guidelines.
- Publisher of ACK Comics, Tinkle, National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic traveler India & ACK trade books
Assistant Manager – Print Production
Ogaan Publications Pvt. Ltd.
Mumbai
12.2010 - 12.2011
- Sourced, estimated, and procured printed products from multiple vendors.
- Partnered with internal brand marketing, business partners, and creative teams to provide production guidance on specs, costs, timelines, logistics, and capacity with external vendors.
- Preflight ad creatives and edited pages for color, resolution, and other specifications, converting them into PDFs.
- Managed vendor relationships and activities, generating printing requests for estimates and orders, managing pre-press, coordinating press checks for color accuracy, and ensuring finished products met expectations.
- Acted as the primary liaison between printers, the publisher, and central production groups to ensure quality printing and binding, billing accuracy, and dispatch schedule maintenance.
- Publisher of ELLE and ELLE Décor
Senior Executive – Print Production
Living Media India Ltd.
Mumbai
05.2008 - 11.2010
- Paginated the entire magazine, maintaining the correct ad-to-editorial ratio, and prepared digital dummies for wall meetings.
- Created and resized ad creatives to ensure that the final print files met all necessary parameters for a smooth digital workflow.
- Coordinated with printing presses across country to schedule jobs on press.
- Oversaw magazine dispatch and conducted monthly review meetings with press CSR’s.
- Publisher of Reader’s Digest, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, India Today, etc.
Executive – Print Production
Ogaan Publications Pvt. Ltd.
Mumbai
09.2005 - 04.2008
- Collaborated with Art and Advertising teams to paginate magazine and prepare dummies for wall meetings.
- Coordinated job scheduling with plant CSR, ensuring color accuracy on web-offset machine and adherence to quality standards.
- Supervised binding and dispatch processes while managing filling operations at press.
Education
BBA - Logistics and Supply Chain
DY Patil University
Navi MumbaiPost Graduate Diploma - Operations Management
Welingkar Institute of Management and Research
MumbaiDiploma - Industrial Management
Welingkar Institute of Management and Research
MumbaiDiploma - Printing Technology
Government Institute of Printing Technology, Sir J.J. School of arts
MumbaiSkills
- Production Planning Contrl PPC
- Warehouse Operations & Management
- Inventory Accuracy & Control Systems
- Process Optimization & Lean Initiatives
- Cost Reduction & Efficiency Gains
- Deadline Management & Prioritization
- SCM & Logistics Strategy & Execution
- Budgeting, Billing & Cost Control
- Workplace Safety & Compliance
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Team Leadership & Staff Development
- Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
Tools Worked On
- Adobe Creative Suite – Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Corel Draw 5X
- Proprietary database software like Office Management System (OMS), Emagine (pre-media) by Rhapsody Media, SendMyAd (ad receiving and preflight portal) by Blanchard Systems, Orion from marketforce UK and Win BDS (Books distribution Systems)
Project Worked On
- National Geographic Traveller (India) & National Geographic Magazine launch in India
- Tinkle & Tinkle Digest Magazine product revamp
- Transition of work and resource planning for Time Inc. magazines
- Quality improvement and Standardization opportunities for work transitioned to the team at Time Inc. India.
- Bangalore & Mumbai location warehouse set-up for Amar Chitra Katha Pvt Ltd
- New WMS implementation
- Google to Microsoft transition for 150+ users
- Moved entire database to cloud system
Languages
English
Advanced (C1)
C1
Hindi
Advanced (C1)
C1
Certification
Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt from Exemplar Global, Inc.
Timeline
Head of Operations – Warehouse, Print Production, I.T. and Admin
Amar Chitra Katha Pvt. Ltd.
07.2019 - Current
Operations Manager – Print (for AUS & NZ Operations)
Ad2pro Media Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
11.2018 - 06.2019
Manager – Production Operations (for US & UK Operations)
Meredith Corp.
09.2016 - 10.2018
Senior Manager – Print Production
Amar Chitra Katha Pvt. Ltd.
12.2011 - 09.2016
Assistant Manager – Print Production
Ogaan Publications Pvt. Ltd.
12.2010 - 12.2011
Senior Executive – Print Production
Living Media India Ltd.
05.2008 - 11.2010
Executive – Print Production
Ogaan Publications Pvt. Ltd.
09.2005 - 04.2008
BBA - Logistics and Supply Chain
DY Patil University
Post Graduate Diploma - Operations Management
Welingkar Institute of Management and Research
Diploma - Industrial Management
Welingkar Institute of Management and Research
Diploma - Printing Technology
Government Institute of Printing Technology, Sir J.J. School of arts