Hitesh Devnani
Mumbai
Summary
I bring over a decade of experience at Unilever, where I collaborated with diverse business teams to tackle operational challenges and deliver actionable, data-driven insights that enhance decision-making processes.
In my role, I was instrumental in developing comprehensive business plans and strategies aimed at achieving growth objectives and optimizing market positioning. I spearheaded generative AI initiatives, refined pricing strategies through advanced analytics, and enhanced trade promotion strategies to maximize ROI and strengthen market competitiveness.
As part of my global product responsibilities, I led cross-functional projects across regions including the Middle East, Latin America, and South Asia. This involved leveraging advanced data modeling and analysis to uncover strategic insights and identify optimization opportunities. Additionally, I established robust data models, dashboards, and reporting systems that facilitated informed decision-making within teams.
I also had the opportunity to implement cloud technology and machine learning algorithms to improve data processes, fostering a culture centered around data-driven decision-making. On the analytics front, I conducted thorough competitor analyses utilizing frameworks such as the 6P Analysis. I evaluated performance metrics across various domains to pinpoint growth opportunities and orchestrated effective customer outreach strategies.
I hold an MBA in Strategy, Leadership, and Marketing from the Indian School of Business (ISB), a Bachelor's degree in Finance, and a post-graduate qualification in Chartered Financial Analysis (CFA).
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Analytics lead - South Asia
Hindustan Unilever Ltd
05.2023 - Current
- Work closely with multiple business teams to understand their challenges and provide data/analysis for better decision making
- The role involves data gathering and manipulation, synthesis and modeling, problem solving, and communication of insights and recommendations
- Help in Developing Business Plans and strategy for the future including top-line, bottom-line and competition road maps
- Accomplished professional leveraging expertise in generative AI to create innovative solutions and drive transformative advancements in technology
- Experienced in leveraging advanced analytics to optimize pricing strategies and drive revenue growth in diverse business environments across Offline and Online Businesses
- Proficient in utilizing analytics to optimize trade promotion strategies, enhancing ROI and market competitiveness for businesses
- Presented key findings to executive leadership, driving informed decision-making based on accurate insights.
- Transformed operational and financial audits across factories and Dispatch units through intelligent control analytics, enabling automated processes for faster detection and proactive prevention of risks
- Managed end-to-end project delivery of Cash Analytics, ensuring timely completion within budget and scope constraints.
Product Manager - Descriptive and Predictive Analytics
Unilever
07.2021 - 04.2023
- Lead cross-functional projects using advanced data modeling and analysis techniques to discover insights that will guide strategic decisions and uncover optimization opportunities across the Middle East, Latin America, and South Asia Markets
- Build, develop and maintain data models, reporting systems, data automation systems and dashboards and that help teams with observations and recommendations to improve service levels, track consumer behavior and engagement, track business goals and aid decision-making
- Oversee the design and delivery of reports and insights that analyze business functions and key operations and performance metrics to answer business questions using machine learning and diagnostics
- Manage and optimize processes for data intake, validation, mining and engineering as well as modeling, visualization and communication
- Setting up the experiment lab in cloud technology, autonomous user experience and self service business intelligence and analytics
Assistant Manager -Analytics Product - D&E Markets
Unilever
04.2018 - 06.2021
- Grassroots Experience - Getting in-depth understanding of need and drivers of business performance across D&E Markets
- Cross linking information across business verticals, primary and secondary data to help decisions on assortment, pricing and promotions
- Executing sophisticated analysis and advanced modelling translating into actionable insights
- Working with IT to integrate information and create dynamic and visual dashboards
- Innovation/ New product development - Revolutionizing the action, flexibility and output that data can generate
- NLP- Facilitate build and rollout of Natural Language Query and Processing for cross functional performance management
- Early Warning Signs - Facilitate Machine learning to tap upcoming opportunities and understand root cause of ongoing issues
- Agency Liaising - Liaising to obtain raw data and facilitate activations
- Negotiating rates and evaluating quality of work and timelines
- Facilitating activations and embedding of initiatives through PR agencies
Senior Executive - Performance Management
Hindustan Unilever Ltd
03.2016 - 03.2018
- Competitor Analysis - Blending strategy and implementations to boost competitiveness and improve consumer experience
- Dialing up 6P Analysis for products across geographies and LSMs leading to growth in market share and brand preference
- Evaluating performance across marketing, supply chain, sales and finance to identify issues and opportunities
- Customer outreach strategy - Presenting and embedding across teams through live business cases
- Presenting teams with how, why, where and what of an Issue/opportunity and how best to prioritize
- Training teams on how the tool with a real time, unbiased and integrated data can be leveraged to plan and strategize meetings
Executive - Corporate Finance
Hindustan Unilever Ltd
01.2013 - 02.2016
- Management reporting and controls - Reporting monthly results on actuals, annual plans, and forecasts to the parent company
- Being involved in setting targets, budgets, reporting and variance analysis for growth and margins in collaboration with CFO
- Defining, monitoring and controlling advertising and promotion spends and redirecting them towards better outcomes
- Performance Management - Highlighting actionable business inputs and trends across portfolio
- Part of the monthly presentation to finance director on South Asia performance
- Internal and external insights on key metrics, business trends and drivers that help gain consumer share
- Monitoring and presenting update on sales and Free cash flow performance
Risk Advisory - Analyst
KPMG
05.2011 - 12.2012
- Responsibilities: Process risk and governance reviews with strategic and tactical inputs on required enhancements
- Worked with leading insurance and NBFCs across functions to analyze and evaluate effectiveness of business practices and controls
- Drafted governance reports, identifying risks, opportunities and recommendations for improvements in operational efficiency
- Presented oral and written appraisals of operations to senior management
Education
MBA - Strategy and Leadership
Indian School of Business
06.2022
Chartered Financial Analyst - All 3 levels
CFA Institute
Virginia06.2014
Bachelor of Commerce - Financial Markets
Hassaram Rijhumal College of Commerce and Economics
03.2011
Skills
- MS Office
- Advanced analytics
- Business Intelligence
- Data-driven decision-making
- Project Management
- Intermediate Power BI
- Microsoft Azure
- Statistical modelling
Extracurricular Activities
- NYU Stern Business School - Summer School. Part of the 30-student exchange programme on international business.
- Lighthouse Project - Mentoring underprivileged children on soft skills, computer knowledge and career aspects.
- Rotract Club - Part of the organizing team on social and cultural events and participated in inter college literary events.
Hobbies and Interests
- Travelling
- Cycling
- Art
- Music
- Trying new food
Languages
English
Advanced (C1)
Hindi
Advanced (C1)
Spanish
Beginner (A1)
Timeline
Business Analytics lead - South Asia
Hindustan Unilever Ltd
05.2023 - Current
Product Manager - Descriptive and Predictive Analytics
Unilever
07.2021 - 04.2023
Assistant Manager -Analytics Product - D&E Markets
Unilever
04.2018 - 06.2021
Senior Executive - Performance Management
Hindustan Unilever Ltd
03.2016 - 03.2018
Executive - Corporate Finance
Hindustan Unilever Ltd
01.2013 - 02.2016
Risk Advisory - Analyst
KPMG
05.2011 - 12.2012
Bachelor of Commerce - Financial Markets
Hassaram Rijhumal College of Commerce and Economics
MBA - Strategy and Leadership
Indian School of Business
Chartered Financial Analyst - All 3 levels
CFA Institute
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