Varun Murukadasan
Sharjah
Summary
Skilled Business Development leader offering 21 years of experience in leading operations and enhancing revenue. Bringing expertise in client acquisition and contract negotiation, along with excellent interpersonal communication, relationship-building and team leadership abilities. Results-driven and proactive with demonstrated record of accomplishment in meeting and exceeding sales and revenue objectives.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Business Development & Sales
Hira Trading
03.2023 - Current
- Developed and implemented strategic sales initiatives to drive revenue growth within Food and Non Food product category.
- Analyzed market trends to identify new business opportunities and competitive advantages within HORECA sector.
- Led cross-functional teams to streamline operations and improve sales processes.
- Mentored junior staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers to optimize pricing and terms for products within the In Room Amenities which includes Appliances, Electronics, Electrical’s , Textiles, Furniture and Cosmetics products.
- Coordinated with technical teams to ensure seamless product delivery and after-sales support, leading to increased customer retention rates.
- Identified B2B partnerships that resulted in successful additional leads into the Healthcare , Education, Supermarket, Department store segment.
- Maintained financial controls, planned business operations and control expenses while identifying and pursuing opportunities to grow business operations and boost profits.
Director of Business Development
Rainbow Tex Industrial Co
10.2021 - Current
- Identified and pursued valuable business opportunities to generate new company revenue and improve bottom line profit.
- Established, initiated and optimized business development strategies based on company targets, product specifications, market data and budget factors.
- Negotiated, prepared and signed contracts with clients.
- Led change and transformation across business areas to deliver benefits and align company resources.
- Incorporated product changes into marketing messages to drive customer engagement and maximize profits.
- Consistently exceeded quotas through penetration of new accounts.
- Leveraged industry trends and competitive analysis to improve customer relationship building.
- Developed and implemented favorable pricing structures balancing firm objectives against customer targets.
- Consulted with product development teams to enhance products based on customer interest data.
- Developed short-term and long-term sales objectives and strategic plans to meet market needs.
- Collaborated with sales and marketing departments to support business objectives and client acquisition.
- Investigated and addressed business development challenges to proactively mitigate problems.
- Completed and submitted monthly and yearly reports to support executive decision making.
- Identified revenue opportunities by collaborating with distribution partners.
- Created strategic and tactical sales initiatives for forward planning to meet key objectives.
Sales Manager
Vanity Group
03.2020 - 09.2021
- Monitored customer buying trends, market conditions and competitor actions to adjust strategies and achieve sales goals.
- Managed order cycle to enhance business development and maintain sustainability and customer satisfaction.
- Resolved customer issues quickly and managed over 40 accounts to increase sales and meet quotas.
- Identified opportunities for growth within UAE territory and collaborated with sales teams to reach sales goal.
- Delivered engaging sales presentations to new clients, explaining technical information in simplified language to promote features and increase client base.
- Collaborated with internal teams to evaluate costs against expected market price points and set structures to achieve profit targets.
- Held weekly meetings with director to identify techniques to overcome sales obstacles.
- Exceeded regional annual sales target by 11%.
- Closed over $1Million in new sales.
- Produced contracts, reports, letters, and proposals for clients.
- Handled customer relations issues, enabling quick resolution and client satisfaction.
Key Account Manager
GFL SA
12.2017 - 05.2019
- Secured high-value accounts through consultative selling, effective customer solutions and promoting compelling business opportunities.
- Improved account management by predicting potential competitive threats and outlining proactive solutions.
- Provided servicing, management and retention of 25 accounts worth over $1 Million.
- Boosted customer satisfaction by providing teams with training and skills to optimize service delivery in alignment with individual needs.
- Gained customer trust and confidence by demonstrating compelling, persuasive and composed professional demeanor.
- Quoted prices, credit terms and other bid specifications.
- Met and exceeded revenue goals by 20% through generating new leads and identifying new clients.
- Identified new business opportunities through cold calling, networking, marketing and prospective database leads.
- Addressed multiple industry issues and provided client support.
- Worked independently with minimal supervision.
- Recorded accurate and efficient records in customer database.
- Presented professional image consistent with company's brand values.
Senior Sales Executive
Truebell Marketing & Trading
06.2016 - 11.2017
- Analyzed market trends in consumer industries to implement appropriate marketing and sales methods.
- Prospected leads, scheduled meetings and converted targets into customers at 50% rate.
- Managed full sales lifecycle for 70 accounts.
- Facilitated relationships with target accounts through implementation of proven networking methods.
- Demonstrated products and features to customers, answered questions and overcame objections.
- Created prospect rapport by approaching leads and cultivating strong business relationships through sales.
- Employed effective problem-solving techniques, increasing client satisfaction ratings.
- Recognized and resolved compound problems that effected upper-level management and business initiatives.
- Protected top-priority accounts by employing effective sales and marketing techniques.
Sales Manager
Forte Gate General Trading
02.2015 - 05.2016
- Increased revenue by implementing effective sales strategies in sales cycle process from prospecting leads through close.
- Collaborated with internal teams and suppliers to evaluate costs against expected market price points and set structures to achieve profit targets.
- Maintained detailed records of sales progress, inventories and marketing success to better align goals with company priorities.
- Managed entire sales cycle across customer accounts, proposing and closing sales to achieve total revenue growth, profit and customer satisfaction plans.
- Researched sales opportunities and possible leads to exceed sales goals and increase profits.
- Remained current on industry trends to better understand customer needs, product effectiveness and sales tactic.
- Prepared and deliver customer sales quotes.
- Fielded customer complaints and facilitated negotiations, resolving issues and reaching mutual conclusions.
- Informed customers of promotions to increase sales productivity and volume.
- Identified new business opportunities through cold calling, networking, marketing and prospective database leads.
Business Development Manager
Aromas & Tastes FZC
08.2014 - 01.2015
- Developed and implemented favorable pricing structures balancing firm objectives against customer targets.
- Devised SWOT analysis to create and execute business plan supporting achievement of established quotas.
- Uncovered and qualified prospects and sales opportunities in targeted markets using external resources.
- Performed research to uncover potential target areas, markets and industries.
- Applied consultative selling techniques to prospect senior management to close business.
- Reached out to potential customers via telephone, email and in-person inquiries.
- Represented company and promoted products at conferences and trade association meetings (Gulf Food 2014).
Marketing Executive
Bu Ali Restaurant
02.2014 - 07.2014
- Developed and executed marketing programs and general business solutions resulting in increased company exposure, customer traffic and elevated sales numbers.
- Launched marketing activities for new product lines and market penetration.
- Developed and implemented targeted digital strategy to improve business performance.
- Managed and oversaw design of marketing material and promotional literature for organization.
- Consulted with product development teams to enhance products based on customer interest data.
- Planned and executed marketing campaigns to target groups, areas and wider community.
- Managed workflow between staff, coordinating documents, planning and creative distribution.
- Identified target audiences and devised campaigns to match target demographics and optimize results.
- Directed hiring, training and performance evaluations for marketing and sales staff and supervised daily activities.
Business Manager
Naseem Super Market
08.2004 - 03.2014
- Elicited comments from individuals surveyed and accurately recorded comments.
- Delivered information from script regarding surveys for on-demand phone project assignment.
- Reviewed collected data obtained from interviews for completeness and accuracy.
- Convinced unwilling individuals by using logical, persuasive rebuttals.
- Followed scripted questionnaires verbatim to collect research data.
- Explained survey objectives and procedures to interviewees.
- Explained questions in better detail for interviewees to allow truthful answers.
Survey Interviewer (Part Time)
A C Nielsen
08.2013 - 01.2014
- Elicited comments from individuals surveyed and accurately recorded comments.
- Delivered information from script regarding surveys for on-demand phone project assignment.
- Reviewed collected data obtained from interviews for completeness and accuracy.
- Convinced unwilling individuals by using logical, persuasive rebuttals.
- Followed scripted questionnaires verbatim to collect research data.
- Explained survey objectives and procedures to interviewees.
- Explained questions in better detail for interviewees to allow truthful answers.
Education
MBA - Operations Management
Manipal University India, Dubai Campus
10.2008
Bachelor of Science - Computer Systems Engineering
Central Pacific University USA, Off campus (UAE)
04.2004
High School Diploma - A.I.S.S.C.E [CBSE]- X+XII
Our Own English High School
Sharjah, UAE03.2000
Skills
Active Client base
1000 connections
Active network that applies to Mutiple Sectors
21 years professional Work experience in UAE
10 Years Food industry/Sector experience
11 years HORECA/Hotels experience
Most recent 3 year B2B experience within the FMCG, Electronics, Apparel Industry
2 year market expansion experience to wider GCC
3 Distributor Management experience with European firms like Lande
Timeline
Head of Business Development & Sales
Hira Trading
03.2023 - Current
Director of Business Development
Rainbow Tex Industrial Co
10.2021 - Current
Sales Manager
Vanity Group
03.2020 - 09.2021
Key Account Manager
GFL SA
12.2017 - 05.2019
Senior Sales Executive
Truebell Marketing & Trading
06.2016 - 11.2017
Sales Manager
Forte Gate General Trading
02.2015 - 05.2016
Business Development Manager
Aromas & Tastes FZC
08.2014 - 01.2015
Marketing Executive
Bu Ali Restaurant
02.2014 - 07.2014
Survey Interviewer (Part Time)
A C Nielsen
08.2013 - 01.2014
Business Manager
Naseem Super Market
08.2004 - 03.2014
High School Diploma - A.I.S.S.C.E [CBSE]- X+XII
Our Own English High School
Bachelor of Science - Computer Systems Engineering
Central Pacific University USA, Off campus (UAE)
MBA - Operations Management
Manipal University India, Dubai Campus