DHARAM NIRANJAN SAHOO
Category Manager
Thane
Summary
Results-driven Supply Chain and Operations professional with over 11 years of experience in IBL warehouse management, category management, and merchandising. Expertise in optimizing supply chain processes and implementing strategic improvements to enhance productivity and efficiency. Proven track record in e-commerce logistics (IBL & OBL) demonstrates strong ability to manage overall Profit Centre Operations/P&L, focusing on operational performance, cost reduction, and improved lead times through effective integration of pricing, quality, inventory positioning, and operational considerations across multiple client projects. Committed to driving success through innovative solutions and a keen understanding of market dynamics.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Category Manager- Premium Fruits
Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd
12.2022 - Current
- Boosted the growth of the premium fruits and dried fruits Offline business, leading to a substantial increase in sales and revenue.
- Develop and implement annual category strategy for premium fruits (exotic, imported, seasonal).
- Weekly and monthly Forecast demand for various premium fruit SKUs based on seasonality, events, and promotions.
- Track category profitability, cost of procurement, logistics, wastage, and shrink. Tgt for SL% reduced for the qtr-3 by 2%yr 2024.
- Improve gross margins through better sourcing follow up, efficient planning of indent, and vendor negotiations by pushing sourcing team on week on week sales growth and demand request.
- Implement dynamic pricing based on cost, competition, and demand trends.
- Plan seasonal promotions (summer fruits, festive imports, exotic weeks).
- Use data analytics to make decisions on assortment, pricing, and procurement.
- Drive event-based promotions: Citrus Fest, Mango Festival, Exotic Week, Winter Fruits Promo.
- Catchment analysis of the city and build relevant promotions to drive order penetration and average bill value.
- Liaise with the Sourcing team (Local and Imported Produce) on achieving the best fill rates.
- Developing category assortment, pricing, planning promotions, identifying key drivers for desired growth and implementing the same through City team.
- Margin improvement and reduced wastage for Premium Fruit by maintaining minimum IGM%-32% based on sales mix.
- Sales growth by 25% in Qtr-1 & Qtr-2 for FY-2025-26 & market share gains by 10% LY Qtr-3 in premium fruits.
- Monitor daily, weekly, and monthly category KPIs:
- Sales, GMV, profitability,Wastage & Shrink,Fill rates & availability
- Leading Premium Fruits For Mumbai Region
Project Manager
Jyoti International Foods
08.2021 - 12.2022
- Optimized existing processes and built future operational strategies to enhance supply chain performance
- Improved warehouse productivity, visibility, and transport cost efficiency through multiple cost-reduction projects
- Established vendor performance matrices to enhance service quality and cost-effectiveness
- Led cross-functional reviews across customer service, procurement, operations, and finance
- Achieved 15% reduction in transportation costs through strategic initiatives
- Food production and processing company
Assistant Manager
Transport Corporation of India (TCI)
06.2014 - 08.2021
- Worked on Lead Acquisition and successfully end to end rolled out and stabilized IBL ( GM & VW), OBL (GM Export, & VW) and WH (Ceat Tyres, Snapdeal & Homeshop18).
- Supported solution design and onboarding of new clients, resulting in a 20% increase in client base
- Managed logistics & inventory to leverage volumes at lowest cost by identifying & developing vendors for better price
- Proficient in managing relationship with supply chain partners, negotiating contracts/service level agreements, to achieve goals & improve bottom-line performance in demanding timelines
- Improved volumetric space productivity by 15% through capacity planning and KPI alignment
- Improved operational efficiency by 10% through tech-enabled feature enhancements
- Automated warehouse processes, reducing manual work by 25% and improving process efficiency by 30%.
- Promoted teamwork within the workplace by encouraging collaboration among staff members on various project tasks.
- Achieved 15% improvement in operational efficiency via best-in-class inventory accuracy and speeds.
- Managed a 170+ workforce to deliver consistent KPI performance.
- Proficient in coordinating with cross-functional teams and ensuring perfect processing and delivery of orders to customers.
- Communicated with clients and distributors to improve and develop business relationships, in-addition to maintaining constant follow-up on their feedback
Education
MBA/PGDM -
University of Petroleum and Energy Studies
Dehradun06.2014
B.Com - undefined
Gujarat University
06.2010
12th - undefined
CBSE
06.2007
10th - undefined
CBSE
06.2005
Skills
- ECommerce
- Kaizen
- SAP
- WMS
- ERP
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- SCM
- OPEX
- Six Sigma
- Category Management
- Merchandising
- Daily sales & ASP
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
- Achieved 56% YoY growth in the premium fruits category through improved assortment, sourcing, and promotions.
- Scaled the category from ₹9Cr to ₹15Cr within one financial year.
- Increased premium fruit penetration by 35% across offline channels.
- Reduced overstocking and improved availability from 85% to 95%.
- Designed aggressive but profitable campaigns like Citrus Fest / Mango Festival / Exotic Week.
- Increased footfall & offline conversion rates by 10% during premium fruit events.
- Partnered with supply chain to improve cold-chain handling, reducing damage by 10%.
- Expanded premium fruits assortment from 80 to 105 SKUs based on customer insights.
Timeline
Category Manager- Premium Fruits
Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd
12.2022 - Current
Project Manager
Jyoti International Foods
08.2021 - 12.2022
Assistant Manager
Transport Corporation of India (TCI)
06.2014 - 08.2021
B.Com - undefined
Gujarat University
12th - undefined
CBSE
10th - undefined
CBSE
MBA/PGDM -
University of Petroleum and Energy Studies