Jan 2021 – Dec 2024 · 3 yrs 11 mos · Nigeria

• Mastering Retail Operations
• Retail is more than just selling products—it’s about creating an experience, ensuring efficiency, and driving profitability. As a key strategist and implementation champion in the retail industry, my role is to take ideas from conception to execution, ensuring seamless operations and measurable results. With a budget size of $125 million, a workforce of 1,400 employees, and responsibility for 14 stores and 4 warehouses, my job is to orchestrate every aspect of retail management.
• Bridging Strategy and Execution
• A well-planned strategy is only as good as its execution. My primary focus is to ensure that business ideas are implemented on the shop floor Whether it’s Fresh Food, Bakery, Butchery, FMCG, Furniture, Electronics, or IT.
• Daily Operations & Visual Merchandising
• My responsibilities include:
• Store Visits & Visual Merchandising
• Marketing & Promotions
• Profit & Loss Management.
• Food Costing & Home Meal Replacement (HMR)
• Food retail is a delicate balance of costing, quality, and consumer demand. As an expert in Food Costing and Menu Merchandising, I focus on:
• Yield Management
• SOP Implementation
• Training & Development
• Loss Prevention & Vigilance
• I introduced the "Vigilante" program. By training shop floor employees in vigilance controlled theft—both internal and external.
• Regulatory Compliance & HR Management
• Retail businesses must adhere to government regulations. I manage:
• Certifications & Approvals – With authorities like NAFDAC.
• HR Development
• Sales, Inventory, and Supply Chain Optimization
• Success in retail is measured in numbers. My role involves:
• Target Setting & Performance Analysis
• Inventory Management
• Fast & Slow Mover Strategy
• Currency Fluctuation
• Driving Growth in Retail
• Data-driven decision-making, operational excellence, and team empowerment, my focus remains on:
• Maximizing efficiency
• Optimizing costs
• Enhancing customer,Innovation, strategic thinking, and flawless execution.

Feb 2013 – Jan 2021 · 7 yrs 11 mos · Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

• Heading Retail and Hospitality operations In Abu Dhabi/ Dubai.
• Responsible for 80 MN USD worth of sales and team size of 550.
• Responsible for forecasting,ordering, planning and execution of sales plan SKU and Item wise.
• Customer sales and delivery through inhouse COD. ( Customer order delivery).
• Responsible for Musafah warehouse in Abu Dhabi along with 5 stores .
• Planning sales and promotions for the region with past sales promotion performance.
• Training and development of the team to deliver individual KPI and agreed budgets.
• Daily weekly Monthly budget vs achievement. Development plans for the bottom performers and development thereof.
• Customer visits, Initiatives to boost customer loyalty, customer profiling and development of products according to customer preferences.
• Representing the region in HO for ensuring the regional preferences are clearly understood and products are ordered and sent to stores accordingly to deliver budgets.
• B2B sales and achievement of budgets through FAM tours of new customers in to the stores to boost future sales.

Mar 2008 – Feb 2013 · 4 yrs 11 mos · India

• Heading two states with Hypermarket and Food and Beverage operations at 13 locations.
• Managed 13 LFRs of sizes varying from 50 to 45000 Sq. ft. with combined business potential of 2500000 P.A.
• During the downturn in 2008 Renegotiated with the developers and brought down the rent by 40%.
• Opened 8 new stores during the period.
• Convinced the owners to invest and regroup the selling areas to maximize cost efficiency by creating department Al profit and loss accounts.
• Merchandise management with special focus on stock turn optimization for optimal profit delivery .
• controlled the shrinkage by stricter adherence to SOPs and continual reinvention to save losses.
• Actively controlled HLP ( Heat Light and Power) cost by use of technology and teamwork.

Dec 2006 – Mar 2008 · 1 yr 3 mos · India

• Handpicked from hospitality background for LFR of 65000 SFT Fashion Station Manikaran Store in Salt Lake Kolkata and followed by changing it to Big Bazar starting the first live kitchen in a Pantaloons store and thus started the concept of restaurants in hypermarket business in India.
• Also worked on Concept of Chamosa i.e Tea and Snax in retail outlets to retain customers for longer duration in retail stores.
• Site selection and preparation of project feasibility reports, Facility Management contracts for the store. Periodic review of the Housekeeping and Security Management agencies for cost and service rationalization.
• Managing multiple business formats with Apparels, Food Bazar, Furniture,Electronics, Footwear and so on.
• Achievement of both top and bottom line with manpower strength is 120 people which was rationalized to89 and finally to 62 . Controlling all operational parameters of the store for robust management of Management and Employee efficiency.
• Providing Highest growth and Sales per Sq. ft profit all India among all Fashion Station store concepts.

Oct 2004 – Dec 2006 · 2 yrs 2 mos · India

• Flight Catering Unit Managing 7200 meals per day .
• Grew the business to 72000 Meals per day by agressive Marketing and sales an implementation.
• Heading the Facility Management of the unit to get Security clearance for International Airlines by Active liasoning with BCAS ( Bureau of Civil aviation Security under Ministry of Home Affairs) with Catering to Emirates, Air India and many other international and all Domestic Airlines ex Kolkata, India.

Aug 2002 – Oct 2004 · 2 yrs 2 mos · India

• Operations Manager for Food and Beverage,Front office and Flight Catering Unit.

Oct 1998 – Jul 2002 · 3 yrs 9 mos · Delhi, India

• Assistant Manager India Tourism Development Corporation. Training and management of Ashok group of Hotels. And served to The prime Minister of India in The Hyderabad House New Delhi. Managing and planning 3 star and Five star hotels and restaurants.

Oct 1996 – Mar 1997 · 5 mos · Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India · On-site

• challenges:
• Adapting to a Fast-Paced Environment: The dynamic nature of the hotel industry required me to adapt quickly to changing situations and demands. I learned to remain calm under pressure and efficiently manage multiple tasks.
• Balancing Work and Personal Life: Maintaining a work-life balance while working long hours was a challenge. I learned to prioritize my tasks, manage my time effectively, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Dealing with Difficult Guests: Interacting with demanding guests required patience, empathy, and effective communication skills. I learned to remain calm, address their concerns professionally, and strive for a positive resolution.
• Memorable Experiences and Career Aspirations:
• The training provided numerous memorable experiences:
• Working alongside Experienced Professionals: Had opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, observe their work ethic, and gain valuable insights into the industry.
• Interacting with Diverse Guests: I interacted with guests from various backgrounds, cultures, and nationalities, broadening my understanding of different perspectives and preferences.
• Contributing to a Successful Team: I felt a sense of accomplishment when I successfully contributed to the team's efforts and achieved positive outcomes.
• This industrial training at Taj Residency Indore has significantly impacted my career aspirations. It has solidified my passion for the hospitality industry.
• Conclusion:
• In conclusion, my industrial training at Taj Residency Indore was a transformative experience that provided me with invaluable practical knowledge and skills. It not only enhanced my technical expertise but also fostered crucial soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. The challenges I faced during the training helped me develop resilience, adaptability, and a strong work ethic. This experience has equipped me with the necessary tools to excel in the dynamic and rewarding world of hospitality.