Santhosh Rajiv
Dubai
Summary
Throughout my successful 19-year career in Sports Retail in the GCC region, I have gained extensive experience as a Senior Retail Operations Manager. Collaborating with esteemed companies such as Al Futtaim, Al Nakheel - Dubai World, and Al Mana Fashion LLC, I have consistently ensured that my team provides exceptional customer service and exhibits exceptional leadership skills. I have been recognized with numerous awards for my excellence in managing retail brands, training, and developing staff, establishing new showrooms, and driving sales. My expertise in overseeing large teams and budgets has consistently resulted in surpassing sales targets. I have a proven track record of recruiting, selecting, and training candidates in alignment with business needs. Furthermore, I have managed renowned retail brands such as Intersport, Go-Sport, and Sport Land in the Middle East. I possess an in-depth understanding of sports performance categories and was nominated to receive training in sports retail products and sales seminars at Intersport HQ Switzerland IIC Berne. My strategic merchandising skills have earned recognition due to my deep comprehension of the retail market. Currently, I am actively seeking a senior position that will enable me to utilize my extensive experience and skills to drive business growth and achieve operational success.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Operations Manager
Go Sport,Courir,NBA -AL Mana Fashion Group
U.A.E, U.A.E
11.2014 - Current
- In my role, I effectively manage a team consisting of 154 staff members and 22+ managers across 8 prominent retail stores in the UAE and Oman
- With a budget of AED 160 million, my responsibilities involve ensuring smooth and efficient operations
- I oversee 8 large-sized stores located in renowned malls with specific sizes: 1
- Mall of the Emirates (3,200 sqm), 2
- Dubai Mall (1985 sqm), 3
- Dubai Marina Mall (618 sqm), 4
- Nakheel Mall (1200 sqm), 5
- Abu Dhabi Mall (1,597 sqm), 6
- Courir (210 sqm), 7
- NBA Yas Mall (600 sqm), 8
- MGM Oman (841 sqm)
- Alongside this, I am currently part of the team involved in opening a new store at Galleria Mall that spans approximately 1800 sqm
- Strategic planning is a key aspect of my role where I devise and implement strategies aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, improving the customer experience, and driving sales growth
- I am entrusted with the task of overseeing inventory management processes, which includes monitoring stock levels, optimizing inventory turnover, and minimizing stock losses
- My responsibilities also extend to compliance and risk management
- This entails ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, implementing security measures, and mitigating operational risks
- Effective team management forms a crucial part of my role
- I lead and motivate a team of operations managers, offering guidance, training, and conducting performance evaluations
- Alongside these responsibilities, I collaborate closely with suppliers and work actively with the general manager, the HR team, the product team, logistics, IT, and e-commerce
- This close collaboration greatly contributes to the overall success of the company
- Upholding standard operating procedures, maintaining top-notch store standards, and safeguarding the brand's reputation are paramount in my role
- Through regular inspections of the shop floor and performance reviews, I ensure everything is in order
- Additionally, I am accountable for the recruitment, induction, training, and development of retail store managers and their teams in collaboration with my HR manager
- As part of my role, I work closely with suppliers and actively engage in project coordination with the general manager, HR team, product team, logistics, IT, and e-commerce
- This close collaboration plays a pivotal role in the overall prosperity of the company.
Retail Manager
Go Sport,Courir,NBA -AL Mana Fashion Group
U.A.E, U.A.E
01.2014 - 01.2021
Sales/Brand Manager
Direct Trading
Dubai, U.A.E
11.2013 - 10.2014
- Setting sales targets and objectives for the team and individuals
- Developing and implementing effective sales strategies and plans
- Monitoring sales performance and providing guidance and support to team members to achieve targets
- Conducting sales meetings, trainings, and performance evaluations for the team
- Building and maintaining relationships with key clients and identifying new business opportunities
- Collaborating with marketing and product teams to develop sales and promotional materials
- Analyzing market trends and competitor activities to identify potential business opportunities
- Developing and maintaining sales forecasts and budgets
- Providing regular reports and updates to senior management on sales performance and market trends.
Store Manager
Intersport -Al-Futtaim
Dubai, U.A.E
08.2011 - 10.2013
- Lead, motivate, and manage a team of store employees, including hiring, training, and evaluating their performance
- Set performance targets, provide feedback, and implement strategies to improve employee productivity and engagement
- Develop and implement sales strategies to achieve revenue targets and maximize profitability
- Monitor sales performance, analyze data, and identify opportunities for growth
- Ensure excellent customer service by maintaining high standards, resolving customer complaints, and providing training to staff on customer service best practices
- Oversee all aspects of daily store operations, including inventory management, visual merchandising, and product pricing
- Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, as well as local, state, and federal regulations
- Develop and execute store-level business plans aligned with company objectives
- Stay updated on market trends, customer preferences, and competitor activities to identify opportunities and adjust strategies accordingly.
Assistant. Manager
Go-Sport Retail Corp -Al Nakheel Company
Dubai, U.A.E
02.2010 - 07.2011
- Assist the Store Manager in creating and implementing strategies to achieve sales targets and increase profitability
- Supervise and train store staff, ensuring they are knowledgeable about products, sales techniques, and customer service
- Monitor inventory levels and coordinate with the Store Manager to ensure adequate stock levels are maintained
- Oversee the visual merchandising and presentation of products in the store to create an appealing shopping environment
- Handle customer complaints and inquiries, providing prompt and effective solutions
- Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, including safety and security protocols
- Collaborate with the Store Manager to analyze sales data and implement strategies to drive sales growth
- Maintain a clean and organized store environment, including managing store equipment and supplies.
Department Manager
Intersport-Al-Futtaim
U.A.E, U.A.E
05.2007 - 01.2010
- Assist the Assistant Store Manager in creating and implementing strategies to achieve sales targets and increase profitability
- Ensuring the highest level of customer service and stores standards are maintained at all time in the stores (adequate store cover through activity sheet, active presence on shop floor, prompt response when needed, ensuring timely replenishment, etc.)
- Providing professional and expert advice to the customers by continuously developing and updating product knowledge in own department and the store over-all
- Handle customer complaints and inquiries, providing prompt and effective solutions
- Adequate knowledge and implementation of stores policies and procedures (Store opening and closing, monitoring staff absences, grooming standards, pricing and ticketing etc.) Maximizes store contribution through exploiting every opportunity to drive sales, reduce stock and loss, and maintain cost controls, assists in delivering the highest levels of motivation and development of team members and individual store compliance with all company regulations and procedures.
Senior Sales Advisor/Home Delivery In charge
Mega Sports–Sport Land Group of company
Al-Ain, U.A.E
02.2005 - 04.2007
- Assisting customer around store & help them get their requirements
- Handle customer and manager inquiries to completion
- Handling cash, banking transactions, preparing invoice, preparing daily sales report
- Assemble sports equipment’s, like treadmills, home gym, elliptical machines-Home deliveries...etc.
Education
Bachelor of Commerce - Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Chatrapati Sahuji Maharaj Kanpur University
S.S.L.C -
Sri Ramakrishna English Medium high school
Mangalore, KarnatakaSkills
- Operations Management
- Productivity Improvement
- KPI reporting
- Strategic Planning
Languages
English
Hindi
Kannada
Tulu
Retailtrainings
- Product knowledge
- Customer Service training
- Effective communication skills
- Fitness equipment servicing training
- Customer service & after-sales service training
- Time management skills training
- Performance Appraisal training
- Problem-solving skills training
- Developing Customer satisfaction mindset
- Talent development skills (Retail supervisor)
- Habits of Effective Management training
- Safety Precautions Training
- Coaching Training
Personal Information
- Height: 6ft
- Weight: 86Kg
- Passport Number: M 5351901
- Date of Birth: 04/30/82
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: Indian
- Marital Status: Married
- Visa Status: Employment
Timeline
Senior Operations Manager
Go Sport,Courir,NBA -AL Mana Fashion Group
11.2014 - Current
Retail Manager
Go Sport,Courir,NBA -AL Mana Fashion Group
01.2014 - 01.2021
Sales/Brand Manager
Direct Trading
11.2013 - 10.2014
Store Manager
Intersport -Al-Futtaim
08.2011 - 10.2013
Assistant. Manager
Go-Sport Retail Corp -Al Nakheel Company
02.2010 - 07.2011
Department Manager
Intersport-Al-Futtaim
05.2007 - 01.2010
Senior Sales Advisor/Home Delivery In charge
Mega Sports–Sport Land Group of company
02.2005 - 04.2007
Bachelor of Commerce - Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Chatrapati Sahuji Maharaj Kanpur University
S.S.L.C -
Sri Ramakrishna English Medium high school