Sanjeeviraj Kandhimathinathan
FOOTWEAR NPD & PED TEAM LEADER
Chennai
Summary
With 18+ years of expertise in the footwear industry, I am pursuing a senior-level role in a reputable organization specializing in New Product Development and brand management. My objective is to contribute to the company's growth and provide value. Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience working with renowned export brands in the UK, US, and Europe, such as Ted Baker, Oliver Sweeney, Grenson, Paul Smith, Frye, Mark & Spencer's, Clarks, Loake, Melvin & Hamelton, Barker, Bugatti, Daniel Hechter, Charles Tyrwhitt, Bennet & Backster, Dr. Martens, American Rhino, Be.Cause International, Josef Seibel, Romika, and more.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
30
30
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Tactical Leader of New Product Development
Hillson Footwear Private Ltd
07.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: HILLSON is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of Industrial Safety Shoes PVC and Gumboots
- The footwear ranges from men's and ladies' leather, PVC, and PU safety shoes and boots to normal PVC safety gumboots
- Lead the entire lifecycle of new footwear products from concept through commercialization
- Cross-functional Team Leadership: Lead and align cross-functional teams, including design, production, sales, and marketing, to achieve product goals
- Budget and Timeline Management: Manage the budget and timelines for product development and commercialization projects
- Supplier & Vendor Collaboration: Coordinate with suppliers and vendors to secure materials and components needed for product development
- Market Responsiveness and Quality Assurance: Develop products that meet market needs while maintaining high-quality standards and compliance with market feedback on new products; quality control pass rates; and regulatory compliance incidents
- Innovation and Continuous Improvement in Lean base: Foster innovation product development and process improvement across the department
- Implementation of innovative solutions: Measurable improvements in process efficiency
- HILLSON is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of Industrial Safety Shoes PVC and Gumboots
- The footwear ranges from men's and ladies' leather, PVC, and PU safety shoes and boots to normal PVC safety gumboots
Head of New Product Development
Umoja Shoe Company Ltd
12.2021 - 06.2024
- Company Overview: Since its first step in the late 1970s Umoja Rubber now has helped to put affordable shoes on millions of feet across Africa
- From Kenya to Congo Ethiopia to Madagascar
- The Company headquarters today employs more than 2700 people and produces a phenomenal 180,000 Pairs of Slipper 30,000 Pairs of Canvas,1500 Pairs of Leather Shoes,13,000 EVA Slippers, 30,000 PVC Slippers, 6000 Pairs of Gumboot every day
- As Its name Implies UMOJA is Number One in every regard of competition
- My work is closely with the Managing Director, Brand Manager, Costing Manager, Designers, Product Industrial Engineer, Production Manager, Retail, B2B Managers, and Stakeholders to ensure that products meet the needs of consumers and the company's strategic goal
- Manage the development and commercialization process of Various products and different types of constructions like Leather (DVP, Cemented, Strobel), Canvas (DIP), Safety shoe leather (Desma and DVP), PVC Injected shoes, Sandals, and EVA injected shoes and Slippers
- Expertise to ensure effective transition of footwear design into samples and production
- Introduced the PD systems and managed with junior development team members of domestic People contributing considerably to the achievement of team objectives
- Analysis of the market trend and Launching New Products to the Market such as B2B and Retail Outlets
- Manage the product development process
- This includes overseeing the development of prototypes, testing products, and working with suppliers to ensure that products can be manufactured cost-effectively
- Track market trends
- This includes conducting market research to identify new trends in footwear design and consumer preferences
- Develop and manage product budgets
- This includes ensuring that product development projects stay on budget and that the company's financial goals are met
- Work with other departments includes work with marketing, sales, and operations to ensure that footwear products are effectively marketed and distributed
- Since its first step in the late 1970s Umoja Rubber now has helped to put affordable shoes on millions of feet across Africa
- From Kenya to Congo Ethiopia to Madagascar
- The Company headquarters today employs more than 2700 people and produces a phenomenal 180,000 Pairs of Slipper 30,000 Pairs of Canvas,1500 Pairs of Leather Shoes,13,000 EVA Slippers, 30,000 PVC Slippers, 6000 Pairs of Gumboot every day
- As Its name Implies UMOJA is Number One in every regard of competition
Development and Commercialization Manager
Farida Group - India Shoes Exports (P) Ltd
08.2016 - 11.2021
- Company Overview: Farida Group is one of the largest leather shoe manufacturing companies in Asia based in Ambur and Chennai…Asia and Africa since 1957
- It is one of the biggest Men& Ladies' shoe exporters from India, and makers of all types of constructions in shoes
- Specialist in Toledo and Kalido finishing from the natural crust
- Technical expertise to ensure effective transition of design samples to production
- Customer coordination for development implementation of technical strategy in production
- Regular follow-up of development with brands to achieve the delivery timeline
- Guide the Process Control allies with the Production and Quality team
- Make day-to-day decisions within a defined scope with support on complex issues in production
- Explain product recruitments and standards to the factory to achieve shared goals
- Farida Group is one of the largest leather shoe manufacturing companies in Asia based in Ambur and Chennai…Asia and Africa since 1957
- It is one of the biggest Men& Ladies' shoe exporters from India, and makers of all types of constructions in shoes
- Specialist in Toledo and Kalido finishing from the natural crust
Head of Product Development
Raadhika Shoe Crafts Pvt Ltd
05.2013 - 07.2016
- Company Overview: It is one of the Men's & Ladies' shoe exporters from India, and makers of different types of constructions in shoes like CEMENTED, WELTED, AND STROBEL, and specializes in Toledo and Kalido finishing
- Product development & Commercialization, Problem-solving role in Planning, Material sourcing, and Maintaining quality standards of all products liaising with customer service
- Customer coordination and achieving sample delivery dates for customers as per the timeline
- On-table discussion with the customers and production team for better quality improvements
- And Random inspection on the production floor to check the quality of Bulk production
- Production line setting upper and Full shoe, Product Finishing approval
- It is one of the Men's & Ladies' shoe exporters from India, and makers of different types of constructions in shoes like CEMENTED, WELTED, AND STROBEL, and specializes in Toledo and Kalido finishing
Development and Commercialization Manager
Farida Group - India Shoes Exports (P) Ltd
12.2008 - 04.2013
- Company Overview: Farida Group is one of the largest leather shoe manufacturing companies in Asia based in Ambur and Chennai…Asia and Africa since 1957
- It is one of the biggest Men& Ladies' shoe exporters from India, and makers of all types of constructions in shoes
- Specialist in Toledo and Kalido finishing from the natural crust
- Technical expertise to ensure effective transition of design samples to production
- Customer coordination for development implementation of technical strategy in production
- Regular follow-up of development with brands to achieve the delivery timeline
- Guide the Process Control allies with the Production and Quality team
- Make day-to-day decisions within a defined scope with support on complex issues in production
- Explain product recruitments and standards to the factory to achieve shared goals
- Farida Group is one of the largest leather shoe manufacturing companies in Asia based in Ambur and Chennai…Asia and Africa since 1957
- It is one of the biggest Men& Ladies' shoe exporters from India, and makers of all types of constructions in shoes
- Specialist in Toledo and Kalido finishing from the natural crust
Gadsyl Exports (p) Ltd
08.2006 - 11.2008
ISIS Exports Pvt. Ltd.
03.2005 - 07.2006
Education
M.Sc. -
Xavier's College
01.2000 - 01.2002
B.Sc. - undefined
Sri Ramasamy Naidu Memorial College
01.1997 - 01.2000
B.Ed. - undefined
Annai Saraswathi B.Ed. College
01.2012 - 01.2013
Postgraduate Diploma - Footwear Technology
IILP
01.2003 - 01.2005
Diploma - CAD
CFTI
Certified Lean Six Sigma - Black Belt
ICEQBS Knowledge Academy
Chennai, India 04.2001 - 01.2023
Skills
Footwear Design Development
Commercialization
Process monitoring and improvement
Team building
Motivating teams
Process improvement
Strategic planning
Continuous improvements
Goal setting
Quality assurance controls
Visionary thinking
Line management
Cross-functional collaboration
Goal oriented
Attention to detail
Project management
Team leadership
Conflict resolution
Risk management
Disclaimer
I declare that the above particulars I furnished are accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief., Tamil Nadu, India, 03/24/25, Sanjeeviraj K.
Personal Information
- Passport Number: T6207054
- Date of Birth: 03/25/80
- Marital Status: Married
Timeline
Tactical Leader of New Product Development
Hillson Footwear Private Ltd
07.2024 - Current
Head of New Product Development
Umoja Shoe Company Ltd
12.2021 - 06.2024
Development and Commercialization Manager
Farida Group - India Shoes Exports (P) Ltd
08.2016 - 11.2021
Head of Product Development
Raadhika Shoe Crafts Pvt Ltd
05.2013 - 07.2016
B.Ed. - undefined
Annai Saraswathi B.Ed. College
01.2012 - 01.2013
Development and Commercialization Manager
Farida Group - India Shoes Exports (P) Ltd
12.2008 - 04.2013
Gadsyl Exports (p) Ltd
08.2006 - 11.2008
ISIS Exports Pvt. Ltd.
03.2005 - 07.2006
Postgraduate Diploma - Footwear Technology
IILP
01.2003 - 01.2005
Certified Lean Six Sigma - Black Belt
ICEQBS Knowledge Academy
04.2001 - 01.2023
M.Sc. -
Xavier's College
01.2000 - 01.2002
B.Sc. - undefined
Sri Ramasamy Naidu Memorial College
01.1997 - 01.2000
Diploma - CAD
CFTI