Shaj Ramachandran has over 16 years of experience in retail operations management, business development, marketing, and strategic planning. He has a proven track record of leading teams to achieve sales targets and open new stores. As Retail Operations Manager for Lifestyle stores in Kuwait, he established several in-house departments and consistently maintained the #1 market share position for cosmetics brands over 16 years. His key skills include sales management, operations management, supply chain management, and team leadership. He is seeking a challenging position to drive business growth through adept management and a focus on performance.

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SHAJ RAMACHANDRAN
OBJECTIVE
An accomplished professional with extensive expertise in a broad suite of operations especially in
business development,cosmetics brand development,sales, marketing, business support,
budgeting and strategic planning of Retail. Proven track record as a visionary with awareness of
multiple departments to facilitate developmentand implementation of strategies targeting market
share and customer growth by being product centric in all aspects.Proficie nt at full business-unit
managementwith a reputation for leading teams (both in Retail & Logistics) towards peak
performance; seeking a challenging position to drive realization of business targets with adept
managementof organizational diversity, while maintaining a firm focus on assured bottom line
gains and distinguished company performance.
Executive Milestones:
 In-House Buying Department, In-House Inventory Controllers, In-House Training
Department was set-up by me. A team selected by me in ‘Lifestyle’ – ‘Landmark Group’
to establish and manage all the above departments in Lifestyle concept to handle
buying of locally procured Cosmetics & Fragrances, developed team of Inventory
controllers to support the business in all product related matters like consolidations,
re-orders, buying, and ageing clearance.
 New Store Openings: Opened 8 new stores of Lifestyle (6 under Centrepoint & 2 stand
alone stores) with the support of project’s team and operations. Consequently,
received special recognition from Senior Management detailing excellence in the
tasks executed despite all challenges involved.
 # 1 Retailer for Cosmetics Brands for 16 Years: Brands handled by me and my team
was at the top in terms of Sales and maintained the #1 position for over 16 years
consistently. Cosmetics Brands like Maxfactor, Revlon, L’Oreal, Maybelline, Rimmel,
NYX, Bourjois, UNE, Isadora, Nouba, PUPA, Karaja, Misslyn, and Real Techniques
(Applicators). Introduced new cosmetics brands in Lifestyle, developed the brands in
association with the local distributors. Worked extensively on shrinkage control,
margin gain, promotions, upgrading brands in terms of display & units, Introduced
Makeover sessions – Free for Customers, linked promotions, catered to diverse
consumer portfolio in cosmetics department and made it a 50-60% contributor of the
total business.
 Handled and grew all the departments in Lifestyle in terms of Sales & Profits mainly:
Cosmetics – Home Décor – Home Fragrance – Home Furnishing – Bedding – Fashion
Accessories – Fashion/Branded Bags – Teen Gifts and also departments like Bath
Décor – Wall Décor – Lamps/Chandeliers.
Key Skills:
 Sales Management, Business Development, Operations Management, Marketing,
Supply Chain Management.
 Project Management, Procurement, Key Account Management, Budgets, Strategic
Planning/Implementation.
 Management Reporting, Resource Allocation, Market Research, Competitive
Analysis, Negotiations.
 Logistics Planning, Forecasting, Risk Assessment, Cost Control, Crisis Management.
 Customer Relationship Management, Multi-Channel Distribution, Promotions, Vendor
Relations.
 HR Selection, Development & Training, Performance Management, Retention.
 Leadership, Team Building, Decision Making, Communication, Measurable
Deliverables, Time Management.

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SHAJ RAMACHANDRAN
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIANCE:
Retail Operations Manager– (Lifestyle) LANDMARK GROUP - KUWAIT (March 2000 till July2016)
T otal 16 Years experience.
Accomplished Retail Operations Manager with a main purpose to maximize sales by influencing
and driving of the right products at the right time to achieve sales budgets as set. Responsible for
the day-to-day operations of Lifestyle stores and to ensure customer expectations are met and
delivering international store standards in all aspects of retail.
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS IN ‘LIFESTYLE’:
1. Internal and external retail store standards
2. Sales achievements against set targets
3. Inventory management and stock distribution
4. Manage financial indicators – Sales – Gross Profit – Net Profit
5. Seasonal eventplanning
6. Business Developmentand implementation and integration of new initiatives
7. Personnel Developmentand successionplanning
1>>> TRADING AND MANAGEMENT:
1.1 Stores internal and external signage’s,lighting, AHU’s inclusive of all operational aspects
in working order
1.2 Maintain hygiene and cleanliness of store environments
1.3 Delivering international store standards and consistency across all stores
1.4 Merchandising, adjacencies done accordingly adequately ensuring effective space
utilization
1.5 Implementation of departmental and subgroup adjacencies as perrequirement
1.6 Ensure all products are price tagged and bar-coded before display
1.7 Ensure all new lines primarily displayed and onthe sales floor
1.8 Ensure prompt and effective replenishing of merchandising in stores
1.9 Implementation of visual, signage’s and commercial guidelines
1.10 Maintaining commercial layouts in eachstore, flexing according to seasons and trade
through initial planning and regular visits
1.11 Effective managementof ware house and logistic related issues
1.12 Support (operations) in formulating and delivering a central operations strategy
1.13 Setting of annual/seasonal operational objective for eachstore
1.14 Manage team members and taking accountability for their performance and delivery
of objectives
2>>> SALES ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST SET TARGETS:
2.1 Prepare and participate in the preparationof sales budgets for discussionwith FM
2.2 Space planning in stores according to budgetsetting
2.3 Conduct forward planning to explore any opportunities
3>>> INVENTORY MANAGEMENT AND STOCK DISTRIBUTION:
3.1 Reviewand analyze stock and sales reports monitoring over and under stocks,
implementing corrective action to be taken
3.2 Reviewand effectively deal with fast/slow lines, new ranges and end of ranges and
implement necessary action
3.3 Reviewing movements of goods from warehouse to and from stores
3.4 Pricing of merchandise as per norms and matrix format
3.5 Verification and implementation of price revisions
3.6 Knowledge of shipments and stock in transit

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SHAJ RAMACHANDRAN
3.7 Controlling and ensuring effective deliveries,distribution and lead times
3.8 Ageing analysis on local and import buying
3.9 Supplier reviews after 45 days
3.10 System quantities are accurate and regular counts conducted
3.11 Monthly feedback onall aspects of:
-- Sales performance
-- Stock positions
-- Special events and promotions
-- Product feedback -quality, style, colors quantities, price, etc
4>>> MANAGE FINANCIAL INDICATORS:
4.1 Conducting risk probes
4.2 Implement correct procedures to return stock to the sales floor, warehouse,
manufacturer or other stores also in regard to damages and soiled products
4.3 Minimize shrinkage in line with targets and implementation of SLAP
4.4 Theft policy and procedure
4.5 Overseeing implementation of company policy and procedure in stores
4.6 Ensure managementof expenses and wasteful practice
4.7 Implementation to Health & Safety regulations to maintain a safe working
environment
5>>> TRADING CALENDAR & SEASONAL PLANNING:
5.1 Plan and execute annual event calendar
5.2 Stock levels sufficient for major events
5.3 Ensure all store sales, promotions are planned effectively, executed and promptly
and maintained professionally
5.4 Conduct SWOT review to analyze the customer profile
5.5 Providing monthly feedback oncompetitor and even activities
6>>> BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION AND
INTEGRATION OF NEW INITIATIVES:
6.1 Strategize and seek opportunity for territory expansion
6.2 Involvement and roll-out of new projects
6.3 Participate in implementation of new initiatives
7>>> PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT& TEAM BUILDING:
7.1 Direct and guide all store managers
7.2 Ensure all staff is adequately trained to be competent in their function
7.3 Identify and recommend staff for successionplanning
7.4 Empower staff to be more knowledgeable and to take ownership
7.5 Assist in the selection and recruitment process
7.6 Completion of annual staff reviews
7.7 Ensuring customer service is of high standard in stores
7.8 Ensure all disciplinary procedures and staff movements are dealtwith correctly
7.9 Assist with creation of an environment which conducive to a high store morale

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SHAJ RAMACHANDRAN
ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS:-
Courses & Career Centre (INDIA)
Diploma/Certification in Travel & Tourism – CCC affiliated by ‘Radio Bhuvan’
Course completed in International & Domestic Carriers – Itineraries & Ticketing –
Documentation & Accounting – Travel Agency Routine & Project Work.
Academy of Computers (Bombay – INDIA)
Diploma in Computer – covering electronic data processing concepts, computer operating
system, word processing
 Knowledge of MS-OFFICE (MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-PowerPoint.)
K.J. Somaiya Junior College (INDIA)
(Higher Secondary College) in Arts - (Bombay)
Major subjects in Economics – Sociology - English – Political Science
Lokmanya Tilak English School (Chembur – INDIA)
(Secondary School Certificate) – Maharashtra State Board
Passed SSC examination in core subjects English – Mathematics – Science – Social
Sciences – Hindi – Marathi -Sanskrit
Awards:-
 Landmark Group awarded Long Service Certificate for completing a decade of
dedicated service with the group.
 Certification of invaluable services towards the construction of NASEOH’S – The
National Society for Equal Opportunities for the Handicapped (INDIA)
Sports Awards
 Certificate for winning the second place in Hammer throw event.
 Certificate for winning the first place in Kabaddi common group event.
SKILL-SET:-
 Ability to Initiate and Execute Tasks Successfully.
 Excellent communication skills.
 Independent and self-motivated.
 Honest, Sincere and hard worker with high level of integrity.
Certification to Credit:
 Successfully completed ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ affiliated by
Franklin Covey based on Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s theory.

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SHAJ RAMACHANDRAN
PERSONAL INFORMATION:-
Date of Birth : 23rd May 1969
Nationality : INDIAN
Marital Status : Married
Children : 2
Residency Status : Transferable (Article #18)
Date of Expiry : 20-09-2017
Passport No : Z 1885384
Date of Expiry : 30/10/2020
Civil ID No : 269052302643
Kuwait Driving License : (LMV) Valid until 01-02-2017
Languages known : English/Hindi/Marathi/Malayalam
DECLARATION:-
I hereby declare that the particulars given herein are true to the best of my
knowledge and belief.
Place: - Kuwait
Date:
ShajRamachandran
Mb: - 965- 97223505
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