Brand Strategy and Growth Consultant

• Oct 2022 - Present

KitchenTown helps develop, commercialize, and launch impact-driven food products in the CPG space. The company has worked with hundreds of promising brands across categories - alternative proteins, functional foods, ingredient innovation, food waste reduction, and more (portfolio - https://kitchentowncentral.com/kitchentown-startups/) In my role at KitchenTown, I help these young promising brands gain deep insights into consumer culture and establish their differentiation in a crowded CPG market in the form of a strong brand strategy and positioning. Show less

Catalog and Selection, New Business Verticals

• Aug 2022 - Oct 2022

- Played a key role within the Catalog, Selection, and Shopping Experience team for new verticals (Convenience, Grocery, and Liquor) in expanding unique product catalog, enhancing metadata, boosting inventory selection, and increasing merchant onboarding efficiency. - Achieved 3X growth in high-revenue-impact unique product catalog size by implementing strategic cross-functional initiatives, utilizing industry sales data, and collaborating with internal teams and external content vendors to set up automation for inventory management. - Enhanced merchant catalog match across key categories and expedited merchant catalog go-live by devising problem-solving strategies, implementing systematic tools and processes, and minimizing manual touchpoints. Show less

General Manager - Delivery

• Nov 2020 - May 2021

Impresario is one of India’s top 5 F&B companies with over 48 different restaurants, cafés and bars in 15 cities across India. Some of the brands owned by Impresario include the massively popular SOCIAL, Smoke House Deli, and Mocha. In my role, I contributed to the group's efforts to create and grow a bouquet of delivery-first and delivery-only brands. Impresario is one of India’s top 5 F&B companies with over 48 different restaurants, cafés and bars in 15 cities across India. Some of the brands owned by Impresario include the massively popular SOCIAL, Smoke House Deli, and Mocha. In my role, I contributed to the group's efforts to create and grow a bouquet of delivery-first and delivery-only brands.

Category Manager - Private Label Brands

• Apr 2019 - Jun 2020

Independent Consultant (Food & Beverage, Hospitality)

• May 2018 - Apr 2019

Program Associate

• Mar 2015 - Apr 2018

- As the sole Program Associate in the India office (with annual grant budget of over $7M), coordinated India program operations with particular focus on grant sourcing and grant making, programmatic monitoring, financial and legal compliance as per IRS, FCRA, and the foundation’s guidelines - Assisted the foundation's grantee portfolio organizations in developing and executing plans for expansion, financial sustainability, and effectiveness - Streamlined the foundation’s grant making and audit processes in India; reduced average turnaround time on grant applications and quarterly/annual financial audits - Interacted with senior leaders in high-profile entities (e.g. Ministries of Health), orgs (e.g. WHO), and other donors (e.g. Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation) on matters related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health in India - Organized multiple conferences featuring grantees, prominent political and non-profit leaders, and other subject matter experts to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration Show less

Management Consultant

• Feb 2013 - Feb 2015

(Tasanaya Hospitality is a boutique consulting firm serving the Food Service & Hospitality industry, founded by Samir Kuckreja (Ex-President, National Restaurants Association of India – NRAI; Ex-CEO & MD, Nirula’s) - Developed marketing and brand strategies with the clients for their projects, and helped with implementation; clients included a new fine-dine restaurant (set up at cost of $10 million) and two leading Italian fine-dine restaurants, among others. - Consulted clients on enhancing operational optimization and efficiency; increased revenues for clients in the range of 20-50% by helping them with setting up new or refining current processes and sweating their assets. - Created financial documents and multi-year business plans for conducting feasibility studies for projects ranging in value from $500,000 to $2 million. Show less

Research And Development Manager

• Jul 2012 - Jan 2013

- Worked on key projects for marquee clients from the FMCG and Consumer Durables industries - Formulated proposals, prepared discussion guides, recruitment specifications, and analysis templates - Conducted focus groups and in-depth interviews for projects in four countries in the South East Asian region, prepared reports, and made client presentations - Worked on key projects for marquee clients from the FMCG and Consumer Durables industries - Formulated proposals, prepared discussion guides, recruitment specifications, and analysis templates - Conducted focus groups and in-depth interviews for projects in four countries in the South East Asian region, prepared reports, and made client presentations

Sustainability Advocate (Intern) - South Asia

• May 2012 - Jul 2012

(Fairfood International is an international non-profit organisation advocating for a sustainable and fair global food system. Founded in 2002, it is based in Amsterdam, with project hubs in Berlin, Johannesburg, London and San Francisco.) - Researched and recorded developments and events in the field of food sustainability, and provided inputs to the Manager Advocacy Asia on the advocacy strategy for the Bangladesh, India & Pakistan. - Compiled a database of food and beverage brands that could be approached as advocacy targets and further directed and guided there product sustainability & enhancement. - Identified funding opportunities & fostered robust partnership with market players. Show less

Pastry Chef - Intern

• Aug 2010 - Jan 2011

(Took a short sabbatical to build on one of my passions - baking!) - Received training and developed into a proficient commercial-scale Bakery and Pastry Arts professional - Assisted the executive chef with all aspects of the kitchen operations, including inventory maintenance, quality control, and innovation (Took a short sabbatical to build on one of my passions - baking!) - Received training and developed into a proficient commercial-scale Bakery and Pastry Arts professional - Assisted the executive chef with all aspects of the kitchen operations, including inventory maintenance, quality control, and innovation

Analyst

• May 2009 - Mar 2010

- Worked as an analyst at the Small Businesses division (having turnover less than USD 200,000) of the bank. - Worked as an analyst at the Small Businesses division (having turnover less than USD 200,000) of the bank.