Avanish Pant
Vice President of Sales
Mumbai
Summary
Dynamic FMCG sales and distribution leader with over 25 years of experience driving substantial revenue growth and managing high-performing teams. Proven track record of overseeing annual sales exceeding Rs. 700 Crores, currently leading a team of 60 at Devyani Foods as Vice President of Sales. Expertise in strategic collaboration with market leaders such as Henkel, Marico, and PepsiCo, successfully managing iconic household brands across diverse markets in West, North and Pan India. Recognized for cultivating executive presence and delivering results in competitive environments, consistently enhancing brand visibility and market share.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
4
4
Languages
Work History
Vice President Sales - West and Central India
Devyani foods industries limited
07.2025 - Current
- Promoted and tasked with driving the growth of the western and central regions of India after a successful stint in the upper northern region, converting areas of previous de-growth into one of the top-performing geographies in the entire business across the country, with double-digit growth in revenue.
Vice President Sales - Upper North & Haryana
Devyani foods industries limited
04.2019 - 07.2025
- Devyani Foods Industries Limited is part of the RJ Corp group, a diversified business conglomerate with interests in beverages (PepsiCo), quick-service restaurants (KFC, Pizza Hut, Vango, Yum), ice creams (Cream Bell), and healthcare. VBL's promoter and chairman, Mr. Ravi Jaipuria has an established reputation as an entrepreneur and business leader, and is the only Indian to receive PepsiCo's International Bottler of the Year award.
- As a VP of Sales for Cream Bell, I am managing the AOP of approximately Rs 190 crores annually, with over 60 members on the sales team.
- ... Handling the Upper North Region, which consists of J&K, Leh Ladakh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Tricity, and Haryana, based out of the corporate office in Gurgaon.
General Manager Sales -Maharashtra and Goa
Lactalis India ( Prabhat )
08.2017 - 10.2018
- As General Manager of Maharashtra and Goa, the following are the areas I oversee: heading sales for two verticals, the FMCG Division, which consists of pure ghee, dairy whitener, sweetened condensed milk, UHT milk, flavored milk, Gulab Jamun mix, tetra milkshakes, lassi, and buttermilk, and handling sales for the Ice Cream Division with the brand name Volup. I manage a sales team of 60, with direct reporting of four senior members, along with P&L responsibility. I have 17,000 retail coverage, and a distribution network of 193 distributors and 7 super stockists within Maharashtra and Goa. Handled a turnover of 50 crores.
General Manager Sales - Maharashtra and Goa
Havmor Ice Cream Ltd.
09.2015 - 08.2017
- As General Manager of Maharashtra and Goa, the following were the areas I focused on: new market development and its penetration, and strategic planning. Worked toward growth and profitability enhancement. Effective market study and analysis. Manage and monitor day-to-day sales. Responsible for achieving sales targets, handling a turnover of 100 Cr for the region. Market development in retail, institutions, and party orders. Provide training to educate the sales team toward organizational goals. Effective management of the sales team to achieve sales targets.
National Head - CSD CPC & Alternate Channels
Supermax Personal Care Pvt. Ltd
10.2012 - 09.2015
- Heading National Sales for CPC/CSD's Institution vertical for Super-max, after having a successful stint in General Trade's Wholesale vertical with a growth rate of over 60% for North India. Having PSL responsibility along with setting up this vertical, handling a team of senior. Managers and consultants across India. Build and drive infrastructure, create a robust and sustainable commercial model to fast-track Super-max’s growth agenda, and lead the portfolio marketing and innovation agenda for Super-max in the most recent assignment. All in all, relaunch Super-Max with a Razor Edge 'Go to Market.'
Regional Sales Manager - West
Britannia industries Ltd
04.2011 - 04.2012
- Western Regional Sales Manager for Britannia’s Dairy business unit, responsible for 84 crore Sales and ATL/BTL growth targets, and management of an effective distribution network, sales, and cross-functional team.Post-Merger with Bakery business unit in October 2011, I was tasked with a new role of Sales Operations Manager for city sales of West region (Mumbai, Pune and Goa), driving 700 Cr sales via effective management of 30-member Sales team Successfully led this team through the complexities of integration of these two business units - bakery s dairy. I was managing over 70,000 outlets (including general trade, standalone, Kats, and E-Kats accounts) and handling 60 distributors, leveraging internal systems and processes built on SAP and Intellics software. I have been a part of the core team responsible for the rollout of a handheld device (sales booking instrument) across the Western region.
Business Manager , Maharashtra
Parle Agro
09.2009 - 03.2011
- Establish sales targets for the team per Annual Business Plan (ABP). Establish coverage, distribution, display objectives, and achieve turnover, profits, and market share targets on a monthly, weekly, and daily basis. Coordinate sales and distribution by establishing a sales territory. Plan and implement a training calendar for team members. Coordinate with the state Marketing Manager to execute the marketing plan and brand activities. Analyze stock movement based on the secondary sales, and ensure effective inventory management. Conduct sales analysis, accurately forecast sales and stock requirements, and coordinate with Logistics. Perform a financial review with the Accounts Manager to ensure the budgeted top-line and profit targets are achieved. Administrative responsibility for running the CsFA in the territory in coordination with the logistics and regional accounts manager includes the annual team appraisal.
Senior Manager - Business Development, Pan India
Times Group
09.2008 - 09.2009
- Driving a 7 crore annual music business across India and maintaining leadership status in the spiritual category. Worked with four regional managers across India and their sales teams to appoint a new dealer network and establish modern trade and traditional channels for top-line growth and new album launches. Planning and strategy to achieve top-line and bottom-line objectives, creating SOPs for core business, leveraging SAP, and coordinating with inventory, supply chain, finance, commercial, and sales support.
Area Sales Manager, Mumbai and Delhi NCR
Pepsico
12.2002 - 01.2008
- Developed a business plan, growth strategy, sales forecast, and emerging market trends. Effectively managed over 15 dealers and a team of over 10 Sales Customer Executives. Exceeded quarterly quotas for 5 years in a row, with over 40% year-on-year revenue growth and a current run rate of 25 crore.
Sales Officer
Marico Industries Ltd.
04.2001 - 06.2002
- I was responsible for a 4.2 crore sales quota, directing a 5-person sales team, and reporting to the Area Sales Manager. Managed high-profile brands to include Parachute coconut oil, Sweekar, Saffola, Mediker anti-lice solution, and Old Spice shaving lotion.
Territory Sales Executive
Henkel Spic India
02.1999 - 04.2001
- Henkel Spic manufactures and markets synthetic detergents, cleansers, and zeolites in technical collaboration with its parent, Henkel KGA Germany, with access to its global brand portfolio. The company’s distribution network consists of 22 carrying and forwarding agents, 990 distributors, and a retail reach of about 2.5 lakh outlets.
- Responsible for Rs. 1.2 crores in annual revenue selling brands such as Pril, Henko Stain Champion, and Fa range, managing an 8-person sales team, and reporting to the Area Sales Manager.
- Effectively managed three dealers. Appointment of redistribution dealers in the Ghatkopar, Chembur, Kurla, Bhandup, and Mulund areas.
- On average, we achieved 80% of the quarterly quota, with an annual revenue run rate of Rs. 1.2 crores.
- Active involvement in the launch of Pril, Fa, Henko Compact, and Mr. White, New Neem Toothpaste, and Check Detergent Powder.
Education
MBA - Marketing
National Institute of Management (NIM)
04.2001 -
Master of Arts - History
Lucknow University
Lucknow, India 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts - Economics And Anthropology
Lucknow University
Lucknow, India 04.2001 -
Skills
FMCG Sales
Websites
Interests
Music Singing Driving
Timeline
Vice President Sales - West and Central India
Devyani foods industries limited
07.2025 - Current
Vice President Sales - Upper North & Haryana
Devyani foods industries limited
04.2019 - 07.2025
General Manager Sales -Maharashtra and Goa
Lactalis India ( Prabhat )
08.2017 - 10.2018
General Manager Sales - Maharashtra and Goa
Havmor Ice Cream Ltd.
09.2015 - 08.2017
National Head - CSD CPC & Alternate Channels
Supermax Personal Care Pvt. Ltd
10.2012 - 09.2015
Regional Sales Manager - West
Britannia industries Ltd
04.2011 - 04.2012
Business Manager , Maharashtra
Parle Agro
09.2009 - 03.2011
Senior Manager - Business Development, Pan India
Times Group
09.2008 - 09.2009
Area Sales Manager, Mumbai and Delhi NCR
Pepsico
12.2002 - 01.2008
MBA - Marketing
National Institute of Management (NIM)
04.2001 -
Master of Arts - History
Lucknow University
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts - Economics And Anthropology
Lucknow University
04.2001 -
Sales Officer
Marico Industries Ltd.
04.2001 - 06.2002
Territory Sales Executive
Henkel Spic India
02.1999 - 04.2001
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