VIPINDAS MADATHIL SRAMBIKAL

Driving category business of three entities under the GMR Group - HYDERABAD DUTY FREE, KANNUR DUTY FREE & GOA DUTY FREE.

• Profit and Loss owner, managing portfolio of company's major categories i.e.; Liquor, Tobacco, Sunglasses & Watches, which put together contributes to 80% of the business.
• Successfully managed and executed category / buying strategies to increase sales and improve customer satisfaction. Achieved category CAGR of 17 % in Liquor, 6% in Tobacco by leveraging market trends and sales data to facilitate product selection, pricing, and promotion decisions.
• Developed and maintained relationships with brands and vendors to ensure availability of assortments at competitive pricing.
• Negotiated on key commercial terms such as margin increase, change in Inco-terms, from key brands with excellent business relationship and thereby saved buying cost to company.
• Introduced year-round promotions (Price Off, GWP, and Cross Category) from liquor brands resulted in 35% growth & better footfalls.
• Accountable for Category KPI results (Sales, Margins & Inventory), Forecasting, Pricing strategy, Promotional Planning and Exit Strategy.
• Improved ATV, SPP with globally competitive prices and conversions with persuasive promotion techniques.
• Optimally utilized available space with more brands added into portfolio and significantly increased Revenue per Sq. Mtr.
• Managing team of 45 brand ambassadors and 3 category associates to support retail execution and deliver strong sales performance.
• Handled cross-functional teams to ensure smooth operations and achieve business objectives. Experienced in new store openings with CAPEX investments from brands.
• Devised and implemented strategies to optimize purchasing processes and reduce costs.
• Awarded Star Performer of the Year (Airport Level) for 2 times, Star Performer by CEO for 2 times & Diamond Card by CEO for 2 times.

Managed the Buying & Merchandising process of luxury watch brands for pan India stores as well as duty free / travel retail business for stores located in international terminals of major airports.

• Handled luxury watch brands such as Frederique Constant, Raymond Weil, Alpina, Movado, Daniel Wellington, etc.
• P&L owner for the Travel Retail business of the company with retail presence in three major international airports in India
• Implemented Brand retail strategy at store level in line with Operations department
• Analyzed Budgets and processed orders as per OTB, studied demand, supply and seasonal trends to ensure that stores are appropriately stocked with correct merchandise
• Rationalized assortment with price point analysis and managed luxury watch portfolio across all duty free & domestic stores
• Planned Promotions – GWP, Festive & seasonal discounting, liquidation schemes to maintain healthy stock turns
• Negotiated vendor margins for higher profitability & generated additional revenue by selling visual spaces
• Identified aged stock for return and liquidation of blocked inventory
• Managed agreements and execution of periodical Return to Vendor (RTV) process for SOR / Consignment brands
• Handled Import Process for Duty Free Shipments, process development & stabilization.
• Monitored stock levels and product sales to determine purchasing needs.

Handled the entire retail store operations in an assigned area and thereby contributed to the expansion plans of the group in the middle east region

• Responsible for revenue, growth & cost management & retail operations of assigned retails stores in the assigned area in UAE
• Ensured Retail stores are operated in line with Standard Retail Operational protocols of company, to achieve set budgets
• Participated in budgeting exercise of stores, according to real time potential of store/location, and designed and implemented various action plans
• Handled entire buying & merchandising part of in-house brands & strategized the upmost effective product mix & gross margins
• Identified, prioritized and pursued branch acquisitions, relocation and disposal opportunities in liaison with the management, on time response & redressal of customer complaints, comments and feedbacks
• Organized special promotions, displays and events, maintaining awareness of market & competitor trends
• Executed the staffing and HR deployment, training & orientation programs and conducted periodical appraisals of retail staffs in the assigned area.

Handled Retail Operations of 15 luxury multi brand boutiques in UAE region and managed Merchandise Planning & Buying of categories like Leather & Accessories, Home Décor, Perfumes, Fashion & Apparels, Souvenirs etc

• Handled brands like Porsche Design, Pinieder, Tonino Lamborghini, LC Designs (Leather & Accessories), Kosta Boda, Salviati, Arthurprice, Mukul Goyal (Home Décor) Nabucco (Perfumes) Vilebrequin, Janavi Shawls (Fashion & Apparels) etc
• Contributed to sales plans for the stores & brands; implemented activities as per the agreed plan and carry out cost control measures to achieve division’s set targets within UAE and on assigned geography
• Implemented SOPs and monitored quality of customer service, ensuring retail standards are maintained in all stores and all procedures and systems are being followed
• Managed and controlled all aspects of inventory, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines in line with targeted stock levels
• Vendor Management - preparation of documents related, executing agreements and renewals, preparation of LPOs, product pricing & entering of inventory from suppliers in to system
• Planned & executed new store openings and organized sales promotional and marketing activities in line with operational policies and procedures
• Responsible for staffing, preparation of daily roster, managing leave & attendance, payroll & Incentive processing
• Executed training & development programs and mentored store managers to maximize their capability and store’s contribution towards overall targets
• Provided operational support to store managers, including resolving customer complaints and conducting regular store audits.

Handled corporate HR & Operations functions of the company, including Sales, Service and Spares facilities spread across the northern part of Kerala

• Played a key role in ensuring the successful launch of company’s branches across the state
• Completed the setting up of standard operating procedures for the smooth operations of the 3S facilities in various regions
• Implemented centralized purchase system for all branches as well as departments
• Drafted job descriptions and KRAs for various levels & designations in the company
• Formulated & Implemented Payroll Processing system with zero cost to company with a team size of more than 900 employees
• Developed standardized organizational model to clarify authority & responsibilities
• Introduced company’s first formal performance appraisal program, creating a flexible and well-received tool that was later adopted company-wide resulted in reduction of employee attrition
• Implemented and managed employee engagement programs, and talent development initiatives
• Developed and executed Employee Incentive System for the company
• Actively been a part with Top Management in opening company’s 3S Facility Showrooms in three regions
• Acted as Corporate Office in Charge in the absence of Company Secretory heading the Office
• Been a part of management recruitment team to recruit professionals across all business functions
• Actively coordinated and contributed to the training programs by the company and the principal company Mahindra & Mahindra
• Analyzed Training needs and devised training calendars, modules and presentations for various branches of the company.

Setup region's first organized retail store & managed the day-to-day operations of the brand's boutique, including in-store sales, Corporate Sales, HR & Administration, Customer Service, Accounts and Systems management, etc

• Converted traditional retail concept of textile industry to customer focused and aggressive stage, by proper benchmarking
• Successfully launched company’s first boutique in the region & achieved tremendous sale figures from the initial stages itself
• Developed customer focused retail sales team and gained best results and feedbacks from customers
• Launched loss prevention programs that proved so successful in deterring theft, shrinkages & damages
• Implemented Qualitative & Data bases buying & merchandising plans to ensure optimum inventory levels
• Designed and initiated staff incentive program to maximize turnover of showroom and well as to improve productivity of employees
• Made tie ups with corporate clients such as Fluid Control Research Institute of India, Koso Fluid Controls Pvt Ltd etc.
• For their staff uniform requirements
• Initiated implementation of training & development programs for retail staffs covering the aspects like customer interaction, selling skills, product knowledge, and upselling & cross selling etc.
• Assisted in development of new product ranges and assortments, working closely with suppliers and vendors.