Umesh Babu
Dammam
Summary
Highly skilled with 15+ years of experience in the retail industry. Solid understanding of product lifecycle management, trend analysis, and competitive market research. Proficient in developing and executing strategic merchandising plans to drive sales and maximize profitability. Strong communication and organizational skills, with a proven track record of collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives. A creative and detail-oriented professional dedicated to delivering high-quality merchandising solutions that enhance the overall customer experience. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Merchandising Officer
Taj Al-Riyadh Marketing & Trading Company
08.2022 - Current
- Monitor pricing, listing, and promotions in Marketplace such as Amazon SA (VC & SC), Noon, FirstCry, Mumzworld, Zarafah, Zode etc..
- Supported the Merchandising Officer in developing product assortments and implementing merchandising strategies to drive sales and achieve financial targets
- Assisted in conducting market research and trend analysis to identify opportunities for new product development and improve product mix
- Managed inventory levels, monitored stock movement, and coordinated with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery and optimal product availability
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including marketing and sales, to plan and execute promotions, markdowns, and other sales strategies
- Analyzed sales data and performance metrics to make recommendations for product selection, pricing, and assortment planning, contributing to overall business growth
- Championed the adoption of innovative technologies in daily operations which improved efficiency in various tasks such as pricing updates or restocking shelves.
- Conducted regular competitor analysis to stay current on industry trends and identify areas for improvement in store operations.
Manager - Purchase & Store Operations
Real Hypermarket,
10.2019 - 07.2022
- Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
- Monitored and analyzed business performance to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments.
- Improved safety procedures to create safe working conditions for workers.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Improved marketing to attract new customers and promote business.
Sr. Category Manager & Purchase
NexaVentures LLC
03.2017 - 06.2022
- Identified and reported key performance indicators to define successful category management.
- Partnered with buyers to develop category-appropriate order frequency for spend under management.
- Managing products on all leading portals like Amazon/eBay
- Developed and implemented category strategies to optimize cost savings and improve supplier relationships, resulting in a 15% reduction in overall procurement costs.
- Measure, Report and Revisit strategy every quarter, ensuring our promise to the consumer and to the management is met Business Management & Analytics.
- Led cross-functional teams to drive supplier negotiations, contract management, and performance evaluations, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
- Conducted market research and analysis to identify trends and opportunities for strategic sourcing initiatives, resulting in increased product quality and availability.
- Collaborated with internal stakeholders to assess business needs, define specifications, and establish supplier selection criteria for sourcing projects.
- Managed a portfolio of key suppliers, including contract negotiations, performance reviews, and risk assessments to mitigate supply chain disruptions.
- Negotiated favorable payment terms with suppliers, increasing cash flow and strengthening the company''s financial position.
Category Manager & Vendor Development
123Stores
10.2015 - 10.2016
- Product selection from vendors from USA & Global
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and execute strategic category plans that drove revenue growth and improved product assortment
- Managing top-line & bottom-line sales numbers and complete P&L portfolio for the category
- Identified and onboarded new vendors to expand product offerings and strengthen supplier relationships
- Conducted regular vendor performance reviews to ensure compliance with contract terms and quality standards
- Negotiated pricing and terms with vendors to achieve cost savings and maintain competitive pricing in the market
- Analyzed market trends and customer data to identify opportunities for product expansion and category growth.
- Managed a diverse portfolio of products, ensuring optimal mix between high-margin items and cost-effective options for customers.
- Benchmarked category performance against industry standards, identifying areas for improvement and implementing targeted initiatives.
- Monitored market to capitalize on latest trends.
Assistant Buyer - Procurement & Supply Chain
Techlink Systems
06.2014 - 06.2015
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to facilitate efficient and timely product delivery.
- Operation and Purchase of Dubai, Oman, & Qatar stores.
- Supported senior buyers in sourcing and selecting vendors for products and services, ensuring timely delivery and cost-effective purchasing decisions
- Developing the company's purchasing standards based upon value analysis, economies of scale, total acquisition costs, and budget limitations.
- Assisted in negotiating pricing, terms, and contracts with suppliers to maximize cost savings and improve overall profitability
- Conducted market research and analysis to identify trends, assess supplier performance, and recommend strategies for enhancing supply chain efficiency
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, such as inventory management and logistics, to coordinate product availability and fill rate goals
- Managed purchasing processes, including issuing purchase orders, tracking shipments, and resolving any supplier-related issues in a timely manner
- Researched and evaluated market trends and industry developments to optimize purchasing strategies.
- Collaborated with marketing teams to develop targeted advertising campaigns, highlighting key product features and driving sales growth.
- Participated in trade shows and industry events to establish new vendor connections and expand product offerings.
- Processed purchase orders and invoices in accordance with company procedures.
- Negotiated prices, discount terms and transportation arrangements for merchandise.
- Established relationships with vendors to support access to latest product information and pricing.
Sales Executive & Assistant Buyer
Sharaf DG
12.2008 - 04.2014
- Achieved sales goals and service targets by cultivating and securing new customer relationships.
- Researched sales opportunities and possible leads to exceed sales goals and increase profits.Assisted the buying team in selecting and sourcing high-quality products to meet customer demands while staying within budget constraints
- Developed and implemented successful sales strategies to achieve and exceed monthly and quarterly revenue targets
- Managed key customer accounts, building strong relationships and ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction
- Conducted market research and analysis to stay informed on industry trends and competitor pricing strategies
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams such as marketing and operations to optimize product assortment and drive sales performance
- Maintain a high level of margin (back end and front end) according to the company target and market conditions.
- Meeting with the vendor for negotiation and new product registration.
Education
MBA - Retail Management
Indian School of Management & Studies
Mumbai, IndiaHigh School Diploma -
India School Of Management & Studies
Mumbai, IndiaSkills
Merchandise Allocation
Data-driven decision-making
E-commerce Merchandising
Assortment Optimization
Merchandise planning
Pricing strategy
Competitor Analysis
Vendor negotiation
Promotional planning
Teamwork and Collaboration
Decision-Making
Team Leadership
Languages
Malayalam
Native language
English
Proficient
C2
Hindi
Proficient
C2
Malayalam
Proficient
C2
Tamil
Proficient
C2
Timeline
Assistant Merchandising Officer
Taj Al-Riyadh Marketing & Trading Company
08.2022 - Current
Manager - Purchase & Store Operations
Real Hypermarket,
10.2019 - 07.2022
Sr. Category Manager & Purchase
NexaVentures LLC
03.2017 - 06.2022
Category Manager & Vendor Development
123Stores
10.2015 - 10.2016
Assistant Buyer - Procurement & Supply Chain
Techlink Systems
06.2014 - 06.2015
Sales Executive & Assistant Buyer
Sharaf DG
12.2008 - 04.2014
MBA - Retail Management
Indian School of Management & Studies
High School Diploma -
India School Of Management & Studies
Similar Profiles
Hameed Ur RehmanHameed Ur Rehman
Commercial Sales Representative at Taj Al Bahar Digital Marketing CompanyCommercial Sales Representative at Taj Al Bahar Digital Marketing Company
FASIL MRFASIL MR
Purchase Executive at TAJ AL NOOR TRADING COMPANYPurchase Executive at TAJ AL NOOR TRADING COMPANY
Hussein O. Abu OmeirHussein O. Abu Omeir
Field Sales Specialist at Al Jeel Medical & Trading Co., Riyadh, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia.Field Sales Specialist at Al Jeel Medical & Trading Co., Riyadh, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia.