Vijay Gautam Chilakuri
Hyderabad
Summary
Results-driven Deputy General Manager with over 15 years of leadership experience across healthcare, hospitality, and cruise operations. Proven expertise in business process re-engineering, P&L management, strategic planning, and workforce optimization. Adept at driving operational excellence, cost reduction, and scalable growth through data-driven decision-making and stakeholder collaboration.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy General Manager
Apollo Life
10.2019 - Current
- Directed multi-unit operations and improved resource utilization by 18% through Lean process initiatives and automation.
- Held full P&L accountability, implementing cost optimization strategies that reduced operating expenses by 12% year-over-year.
- Led and developed 15+ departmental managers, achieving 95% retention through structured performance evaluations and growth plans.
- Launched and scaled new service lines contributing to 25% overall revenue growth within two years.
- Developed Power BI dashboards improving reporting accuracy and decision turnaround by 30%.
- Streamlined recruitment, onboarding, and training processes for 100+ hires, enhancing productivity and retention.
- Built long-term partnerships with vendors and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance and service excellence.
Senior Business Operations Manager
Apollo Life
10.2015 - 10.2019
- Led business continuity and capacity planning during expansion phases, aligning workforce with service demand.
- Established KPIs and SOPs that improved team productivity by 20% and ensured operational consistency.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with HR and Finance to optimize performance management and resource allocation.
- Managed the launch of new facilities and service units, meeting all deadlines and budget goals.
Restaurant General Manager
YUM! Brands India Pvt. Ltd.
08.2012 - 10.2015
- Directed end-to-end restaurant operations generating ₹4+ Crores annual revenue while maintaining brand and safety compliance.
- Reduced food wastage by 15% through accurate demand forecasting and supplier performance management.
- Supervised 50+ staff across shifts, enhancing productivity via coaching and performance-based training.
- Devised localized marketing initiatives that increased customer footfall by 30% within six months.
- Streamlined procurement and inventory systems, reducing holding costs and improving cash flow.
Inventory Manager
COSTA Cruise Lines, India & Italy
06.2007 - 06.2010
- Managed shipboard inventory operations across multi-country logistics; reduced stock discrepancies by 35% through process automation.
- Implemented barcode-based tracking systems improving retrieval efficiency by 40%.
- Oversaw import/export documentation ensuring compliance with customs and maritime standards.
- Led warehouse optimization projects cutting handling time by 25% and improving storage efficiency.
- Negotiated vendor contracts achieving 10% reduction in material costs.
Education
MBA – Masters - Hospitality Administration
University of Wolverhampton
United Kingdom07.2012
Skills
- Operations Management
- P&L Administration
- Strategic Planning
- Business Process Re-engineering
- Operational Excellence
- KPI & SLA Management
- Lean & Continuous Improvement
- Risk & Compliance
- Change Management
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Vendor & Stakeholder Management
- Workforce Optimization
- Data Analytics
- Service Delivery Excellence
- MS Excel (Advanced)
- Power BI
- SAP
- Salesforce
- ERP Systems
- CRM Platforms
- HRMS Tools
- Tableau
- Workflow Automation Tools
Accomplishments
- Awarded ‘Best Financial Controller – India’ for outstanding P&L management and cost control.
- Promoted from Center Head to Senior Operations Manager within 12 months for exceptional results.
- Consistently delivered top-tier customer satisfaction and operational efficiency across all roles.
Timeline
Deputy General Manager
Apollo Life
10.2019 - Current
Senior Business Operations Manager
Apollo Life
10.2015 - 10.2019
Restaurant General Manager
YUM! Brands India Pvt. Ltd.
08.2012 - 10.2015
Inventory Manager
COSTA Cruise Lines, India & Italy
06.2007 - 06.2010
MBA – Masters - Hospitality Administration
University of Wolverhampton