SRIDHAR SANTHANAM
LEATHER PRODUCT TECHNOLOGIST
Chennai
Summary
A Leather Technologist and a Customer Oriented Professional with 25+ years of experience focused on Leather Production, Leather Goods Production, Technical Management, Quality Control, Footwear, Supply Chain and Sales. Adaptive and deadline-oriented with capacity to execute and complete multiple projects in high-stress environments in leather & Leather Product industry. Meticulous leader and strategic planner with comprehensive managerial acumen, offering Production, Technical and Quality activities.
Overview
5
5
Languages
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Head - Quality & Customer Service
Tata International Ltd
07.2021 - Current
- Finished Leather Quality & Grading Control suitable for Bags / Shoes / Garment.
- Marketing Finished Leather to Leather Goods and Shoe Industry in Europe, Vietnam & Southeast Asia
- Identified and capitalized on profit generating opportunities while managing technical aspects, budgets, business plans, profits, costing and expenses.
- Customer Service and Merchandising Head to support all the needs of Customer.
- Drove revenue and profit margins through exceptional customer service, implementing protocols and investigating sales reports for speedy resolution.
- Retained existing customers and substantially grew customer base, product line and sales volume.
- Resolved customer complaints by exchanging merchandise, refunding money and adjusting bills.
General Manager - Operations
Leather Industries of Kenya / Uganda / Tanzania, Nairobi Kenya
02.2020 - 03.2021
- Handled 3 Tanneries in 3 Countries Kenya / Uganda / Tanzania, with a total leather production of 1 Million Sq.ft
- Planning & Operations, Leather Production, Quality Control, Sourcing Production and Sales / Marketing
- Process, Chemical Formulations, P&L Responsibility, Target Achievement, Team Development and Training
- Managed and improved various procedures, including requirements, gaps analysis, development and new programme roll-out.
- Produced leathers for Footwear, Leather Goods, Garments & Upholstery - Cow / Goat / Sheep
- Inventory Management on Raw Material, Chemicals and Usage
- Maximum Capacity Utilisation, Cost Control & Machinery Maintenance
- ETP Maintenance and meeting all LWG Standards in the Tannery
- Interfaced with customers, determined needs, provided recommendations and up-sold services.
Senior Manager
Gaitonde Leathers & Accessories
10.2017 - 02.2020
- Stationed and Promoted Finished Leather Sales Vietnam
- Developed more than 200 Customer bases in Vietnam
- Developed Leathers for Footwear, Bags and Garments Consistently in Cow / Goat / Sheep and marketed in Vietnam
- Sales Presentations, Work Shops, Leather Fairs / Exhibition
- Traveled to more than 12 countries
- Developed many good customer bases in Vietnam, Indonesia and China
- Having good relationships with many brands and Factories
- Interfaced with customers, determined needs, provided recommendations and up-sold services.
- Identified and solved complex strategy problems to impact sales management and business direction.
DGM Production, Planning & Operations
Iconium Leather Works Pvt Ltd
02.2016 - 07.2017
- Handled Finished Leather Production, Production Planning & Execution
- Achieved 1 Million Production target
- Finished Leather Marketing & Sales, Customer Management
- Process Control, After Sales Control, Cost Control, Leather Quality Control & Assurance, P&L Responsibility
- Produced all types of Finished Leather for Footwear & Bags - Cow / Buffalo / Goat / Sheep
- Developed many domestic & Overseas customers with quality leathers
- Utilised practical communications skills to maintain and build positive client relationships.
- Applied expert knowledge for daily completion of tasks and streamlining workflows.
Manager, Technical Consultant
Tata International Ltd
02.2015 - 01.2016
- Developed the Leather Production and Leather Sourcing
- Leather Quality Control and Inventory Management
- Finished Leather Procurement and meeting export standards
- Handled Leather Export division in Chennai
- Exports per month around 300K Sq.ft
- Assisted sales force with information for customer presentations.
- Strengthened product branding initiatives and coordinated effective marketing campaigns.
- Used excellent problem-solving and issue-resolution strategies to rectify difficulties quickly and effectively.
Senior Manager
Tritan Leather Works Pvt Ltd / BPS
05.1999 - 01.2015
- 16 years experience in this company developed from the company start up
- Finished Leather Production and Leather Procurement
- Leather Goods Production & Sales Support
- Supply Chain Management with proven record
- Purchase of Leather & Non Leather Materials
- Achieved many production and procurement targets
- Production around 500k per month for Leather Bags and small leather goods
- Supply Chain, Quality, Leather Testing and Inventory Management
Leather Technician
Vinayaka Leather Exports
03.1996 - 05.1999
- Production all types finished leather
- Controlling dyeing and finishing departments
- Production of Cow / Goat / Sheep for Footwear and Leather Goods
- Technical Management
Education
Leather Technology -
Institute of Leather Technology
Chennai, IndiaBBA - Production
Annamalai University
Tamilnadu, India 04.2001 - 05.1998
MBA - Production & Marketing
Bharathidasan University
Tamilnadu, India 04.2001 -
Skills
Finished Leather Production
Leather Goods Manufacturing
Technical Management
Quality Control / Assurance
Improving Quality Performance
Marketing & Sales
Customer Development & Relationship
P&L Responsibility
Industrial Engineering
Supply Chain Management
Additional Information
- Production of Leather & Leather Goods, Supply Chain Management
- Leather & Leather Goods Quality Assessment and Approval of Right Final Product.
- Procurement & Sourcing of Raw Material, Chemicals and other materials
- Sample developments, Implementation and progress.
- Product Exposure Good Exposure in producing Leather for Footwear, Leather Goods, Garments & Upholstery
- Cost Control Reducing the Production and variable cost to minimum
- Providing after sales support to the customers
Timeline
Head - Quality & Customer Service
Tata International Ltd
07.2021 - Current
General Manager - Operations
Leather Industries of Kenya / Uganda / Tanzania, Nairobi Kenya
02.2020 - 03.2021
Senior Manager
Gaitonde Leathers & Accessories
10.2017 - 02.2020
DGM Production, Planning & Operations
Iconium Leather Works Pvt Ltd
02.2016 - 07.2017
Manager, Technical Consultant
Tata International Ltd
02.2015 - 01.2016
BBA - Production
Annamalai University
04.2001 - 05.1998
MBA - Production & Marketing
Bharathidasan University
04.2001 -
Senior Manager
Tritan Leather Works Pvt Ltd / BPS
05.1999 - 01.2015
Leather Technician
Vinayaka Leather Exports
03.1996 - 05.1999
Leather Technology -
Institute of Leather Technology
Languages
1,A1,3,B1