G

ovindaraj D. chief executive OFFICER – business head

Business Development ~ Senior Operations ~ sale & Marketing - Manufacturing

Career Profile

Performance-driven Executive offers more than 25 years of progressive leadership experience in the FMCG and Agro-processing operations industry. Demonstrated success developing performance-based, low-cost solutions through aggressive negotiations with new and existing suppliers and recognized for the ability to incorporate innovative management techniques that result in enhanced business practices, increased productivity, and profits. Proven success in sales and marketing through expertise in business development and strategic planning capabilities. Driven by new challenges and the desire to excel in all endeavors.

Areas of Expertise include:

Strategic Planning & Forecasting

Strategic Marketing

R&D and NPD management

TPM and Six Sigma

P&L and Cash flow management

Risk Management and Control

Inventory management

Negations

Supply Chain Management

Financial management

Route to market strategy

Analytical skill

Business Development

Project Management

Safety and Workflow Optimization

Sales Planning &Marketing

Budgeting/Cost Controls

Research and Market Analysis

Sales Promotion and Tactical Marketing

Consumer Need Gap Assessment

Agro-processing

Manufacturing & Operations

Performance Improvement

Competitive Market Positioning

Experience & Notable Contributions

NORDA INDUSTRIES LTD. · KENYA, E. Africa · Feb-2022– Present

chief executive officer

(snacks of potato crisps, corn puffs, corn snacks, peanuts, POPCORN, CONFECTIONERY, and COSMETICS.)

JOB ROLE:

To effectively lead and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Norda industry, ensuring steadfast achievement of performance objectives and optimization of shareholder value. The central emphasis is on upholding and surpassing profitability targets across all business operations

Key Duties:

Collaborated with the Board of Directors to formulate organizational objectives, strategies, policies, and programs

Orchestrated, directed, and harmonized the overall operations of the organization.

Conducted comprehensive reviews of the organization's activities and outcomes, providing regular reports to the board and relevant governing bodies

Delivered comprehensive leadership and proficient management across the organizations.

Established and managed budgets, meticulously overseeing expenses to ensure optimal resource utilization.

Authorized allocation of material, human, and financial resources to implement organizational policies and initiative

Vigilantly monitored and assessed organizational performance against established policies and goals.

Engaged in consultations with subordinate managers, meticulously reviewing recommendations and reports.

Represented the organization at official events, board meetings, negotiations, conventions, seminars, public hearings, and forums.

Assumed a pivotal role in the selection or approval of senior staff members.

Ensured unwavering adherence to pertinent legislation and regulations

Expertly executed a new green field project, paving the way for business expansion and growth

Key Contributions:

Honoured with the esteemed Top SME-100 KMGP award in 2022 for outstanding contributions and achievements in the small and medium enterprise sector.

Orchestrated a 40% surge in business growth by masterfully executing a series of meticulously planned strategic initiatives.

Innovatively launched the Last Mail project via a mobile app, effectively amplifying sales and market visibility in rural areas.

Made substantial contributions to cultivating a transformative cultural shift that markedly improved operational efficiency.

Successfully navigated through supply chain hurdles, ensuring seamless and uninterrupted business

Significantly facilitated the transformation of organizational culture to drive operational efficiency improvements

Skilfully implemented cost-saving initiatives encompassing energy conservation measures and plans to enhance productivity.

Played a pivotal role in instituting an Integrated Management System (IMS) across the organization, resulting in elevated quality standards and enhanced productivity.

Innovatively launched the Last Mail project via a mobile app, effectively amplifying sales and market visibility in rural areas.

Thoroughly tackled areas of revenue leakage, leading to a substantial enhancement in overall profitability

Strategically revitalized an inactive asset, the Candy section, through an impactful sales initiative, breathing new life into its operations

Made a substantial contribution to cultivating a transformative cultural shift that markedly improved operational efficiency

Displayed adeptness in the execution of New Product Development (NPD), resulting in a successful launch achieved through a systematic approach.

Made a significant and effective contribution to the development of company-wide policies, including comprehensive Human Resources policies.

Initiated a strategic collaboration with Churchill, a prominent local comedian, to enhance market share through innovative marketing efforts.

TRU FOODS LTD. · KENYA, E. Africa · March 2018 – Jan 2022

General Manager –Business head

(jam, tomato paste, ketchup, drinking Choco/coco, biscuits, peanut butter, PROCESSING canned fruits & vegetables, vinegar, icing SUGAR, SPICES ETC.)

JOB ROLE:

To manage and direct Trufoods Limited's day-to-day operations, ensuring that the company consistently meets its performance objectives and maximizes shareholder value. The primary focus is to maintain and surpass profitability targets for business operations.

Key Duties:

Drive the development and implementation of the Company’s strategic plan ensuring consultation with all stakeholders

Guide the development of the individual units' annual business and financial plans in consultation with the Board.

Steer and direct the Company operations to ensure the attainment of operational and financial budgets.

Provide leadership in the development and implementation of the various policies as well as the operational and financial systems required for the effective management of the multiple units

Monitor the performance of the various business units by reviewing periodic business performance reports and guide the identification and implementation of remedial action.

Review business growth proposals and other investment proposals for their fit within the overall and long-term business goals and approve or provide guidance on refinements as necessary.

Develop and continuously review the brand-building initiatives, product distribution thru the various business channels, and timely delivery of the product to our customers.

Develop & maintain relationships with key third parties, including government offices, relevant associations, suppliers, etc. This may include active participation in key business associations, presentations in the relevant forum, and lobbying for policy change as needed.

Monitor developments in the local and international arena that affect the various units and ensure that local operations meet best practice

Actively participate in Board meetings, brief the Directors on the Company’s performance, and provide guidance/advice for long-term planning for the Company.

Effectively communicate the Board decisions to the unit heads as well as staff as and when necessary

Develop and execute Brand Growth and Communication Plans for the long-term sustenance of the Brands, thus securing critical volume for the company.

Responsible for Regulatory, Statutory, and Secretarial Compliance

Key Contributions:

Business growth increased double by effective strategic drive implementation

A new green Filed project established in a short period for peanut butter

Successfully acquired new business ventures and swiftly transformed underperforming units into profitable entities within a short timeframe

Played a critical role in establishing the TP.M drive across the organization to improve the OEE

Introduced the Last Mail project to improve sales and visibility in the rural market

Contributed main drive to establish the culture change to improve the organization’s efficiency

Established various cost-saving projects, including energy-saving and productivity improvement plan

New business accusation and turn around sick unit into a profitable business

Overcome supply chain challenges for smooth business operation by proper planning during a pandemic

Addressed the all-revenue leak area to improve the profitability

Oracle ERP implementation

UNIVERSAL INDUSTRIES LTD. · Malawi, C. Africa · (MARCH 2011 – FEB 2018 )

General Manager, Operations

(BISCUITS, confectionery, snacks, soya, oil refinery, pre-pack milk powder, spices, and baking ingredients, AGRO-processing, and beverages)

JOB ROLE:

Oversee day-to-day operations of multiple locations while providing strong leadership to a team of over 1,500 members. Establish key performance indicators, operating goals, realignment initiatives, productivity improvements, and cost reduction programs that consistently improve product output, quality, and customer satisfaction. Functional management areas include strategic planning, business development, marketing, sales, product management, supply chain management, and finance. Routinely inspect sites to ensure compliance with all standards. Skillfully resolve all labor union issues promptly and professionally, including achieving a critical union settlement—lead projects through all project stages, consistently ensuring timely implementation and completion. Cultivate loyal customer relationships by encouraging open communication lines and quickly resolving customer complaints. Continually improve training standards and organize in-house training programs in the areas of ISO-9000, ISO-14001, Quality Circle, GMP, 5S, Six Sigma, TPM, etc.

Responsible for:

Spearheading a team of over 1500 members and handling entire operations

Responsible for strategy and execution to drive revenues through innovative sales and marketing drives. Accountable for optimal fleet utilization and product distribution through a nationwide network of depots and warehouses. Own the P&L for the company.

Optimize the deployment of transportation schedules to distribution centers to ensure an efficient and uninterrupted supply of goods.

Ensure that all implemented advertising, promotional, and other marketing programs are following the agreed-upon annual plan

Oversee the management systems; including ensuring the cash from sales is deposited into the company’s cashiers and regularly monitoring

Ensure the sales MIS reporting is updated

Design an annual manufacturing plan and policy guidelines and monitor its implementation

Ensure that plant performance tracking systems include agreed-upon key performance indicators

Proactively improve on the standard efficiencies against the budget in terms of machine efficiencies, material yields, labor, and overhead costs

Ensure cost optimization does not compromise on quality standards

Design a cost-effective area annual fleet maintenance plan and monitor its implementation by proactively remaining in contact and negotiating with pertinent parties

Ensure that the management of vehicle service/repairs is consistent with the budget

Implement an effective inventory system

Ensure guidelines on preventive and corrective maintenance programs are in operation

Provide accurate and timely reports as required by management

Monitor the implementation of the preventative engineering maintenance schedules and ensure costs remain within budget

Ensure the quality control and assurance policies are in line with established standards and specifications

Liaise with the technical manager to ensure the establishment of and adherence to the latest quality standards and specifications

Monitor reports on material usage and provide possible solutions to ensure wastage and losses are kept to a minimum

Coordinate with the Technical Services Manager to ensure compliance with internal and external industrial safety and hygiene regulations

Inspect sites regularly to ensure that all standards are adhered to

In cooperation with heads of departments, prepare the requested reports (budgets, annual business plan, period performance statements, etc.)

Key Contributions:

Sale growth increased by 40% due to effective marketing and sales strategy with new products

Business developed in regional countries like Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe

Implemented a segmented customer value management approach by categorizing customers into Star Customers (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and General Stockiest groups) and crafting special trading terms for each category. Appointed vital account managers to manage the network of customers through a focused approach, including tracking and increasing sales per customer and cathedral-making deal-making and incentives, resulting in improved customer satisfaction and increased customer value and loyalty for the company.

Categorized the customer based on performance and incentive, which improved customer relation

Introduced route to the market concept to reach the product customer end, customer

Crafted and executed a Retail Sector Development strategy to drive secondary and tertiary sales.

Reduced the market return by 3% to 0.5%

Reduced the overall FG variance across all depots & and warehouses from 2% to 0.5%

Established strategic sales depots in record time through cross-functional collaboration and aggressive project management, resulting in better product availability in the markets, increased sales, and reduced distribution costs through effective fleet management.

Reduce the sale loss for want of product demand from 2% to 0.1%

Significantly improved efficiency by developing and implementing an effective inventory system.

Proactively control costs by overseeing machine efficiencies, material yields, labor, and overhead costs while ensuring cost optimization does not compromise quality standards.

Reduced process rejections from 25% to 5% in the coil unit by using the quality circle and 7 QC tools.

Realized a 30-40% energy cost savings by implementing the Energy Saving System in the Drying System.

PATAK’S FOODS INDIA PVT. LTD. · Chennai · 2008 – 2011

General Manager, Operations ( papad,applam, and spices )

Key Result Areas:

Directed operations in multiple locations while leading cross-functional teams that collaborated as a focused team to achieve aggressive business goals and drive the evolution of concepts into achievable business strategies.

Effectively managed the manufacturing/production process with close attention to budgets, timeframes, quality, and product specifications.

Identified and capitalized on new growth opportunities through market analysis, product/brand development expertise, and keen business instincts.

Managed and resolved all supply chain issues quickly and effectively.

Recruited, trained, mentored, and coached team members, providing performance feedback to promote professional growth and development.

Managed government licensing work for the factory and handled IR issues by proactively establishing IR relations with union and management teams.

Godrej Sara Lee Ltd., as Asst. General Manager - Pondicherry - Jun’06-May’08

KV Repellant Manufactory Company

Key Result Areas:

Looked after the mosquito coils manufacturing, implementation of production budgets in line with sales budgets, and the presentation of monthly operations reports to MD

Ascertained the setting up of short/medium-term objectives for the operations team & and conducting appraisals

Played a vital role in the

oRecruitment of new operations team members

oImplementation of TQM/TPM, Six Sigma, and other relevant techniques for the improvement of operations

oISO Certification

Managed the Govt. licensing work for the factory as well as handled the IR issues

Previous Experience

MM’94-Jun’06 with Godrej Sara Lee Ltd., Pondicherry

Growth Path:

MM’94-MM’96 Officer – Quality Control

MM’97-MM’98 Executive - Quality Control & Quality Assurance

MM’98-MM’99 Senior Executive Production - as Unit Head

MM’00-MM’04 Dy. Factory Manager (Plant Head) – Mosquito Coil Manufacturing

MM’04-Jun’06 Factory Manager Multi-location – Mosquito Liquidator Wick Manufacturing

MM’92-MM’94 with Plastic and Fabrication Company, Pondicherry as Electrical Maintenance In-charge

Education & Training

Annamalai University, Chidambaram

MBA- Operations -2006

Annamali University, Chidambaram

B.E., E&E -2002

MNGP, Pondicherry

Diploma in Electrical & Electronics-1992

National Council Labour Management, Chennai

Diploma in TQM & ISO 9000 -1997

National Council Labour Management, Chennai

Diploma in Safety -1998

Professional Development: TPM & TQM; ISO-9001 Quality Management System; ISO-14001 Environment Management System; GMP & Quality Circle; 5S; Lateral Thinking/Supervisory Skills; Six Sigma Black Belt

Technology: MS Office; Internet Applications; MFG-PRD, ERP & SYS PRO

Personal Details

Date of Birth: 6th October, 1973

Address: No.:12, 12, Cross, Laws Pet, Pondicherry -605008, India

Languages: English, Hindi, Tamil

Mobile: +254-*********

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