SANTANU DAS
Dynamic and results-driven senior leader with a proven track record of driving Business
Transformation, Financial Strategy, and Operational Excellence across diverse industries,
including FMCG, IT, Finance, and Manufacturing. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams,
optimizing financial performance, spearheading talent development initiatives, and driving
business expansion strategies. Targeting to leverage expertise in P&L Management, strategic
planning, and governance to contribute to organizational growth and long-term sustainability.
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PROFILE SUMMARY
Business Transformation Leader: Spearheading large-scale business transformations, successfully integrating financial,
operational, and human capital strategies to drive sustainable growth.
P&L Management & Financial Strategy: Managing million-dollar budgets, financial forecasting, and cost optimization strategies,
ensuring profitability and financial stability.
Cross-Industry Leadership: Showcasing expertise across IT, Finance, Insurance, FMCG, and Manufacturing, implementing best
practices to optimize operations and maximize market share.
Enterprise-wide Governance & Risk Management: Establishing robust governance frameworks, compliance protocols, and
risk mitigation strategies, ensuring regulatory adherence and operational resilience.
Talent & Leadership Development: Designing & executing high-impact leadership programs, succession planning initiatives,
and competency-building frameworks to nurture future leaders.
M&A and Business Expansion: Successfully led Due Diligence, Integration Planning & Execution for Mergers, Acquisitions, and
Market Expansion initiatives, enhancing competitive positioning.
Technology-Driven Process Optimization: Orchestrating digital transformation initiatives, ERP implementations, and
automation projects to streamline finance, HR, and operational workflow.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Leveraged advanced financial modeling, business intelligence tools, and KPI dashboards to drive
informed decision-making and enhance performance tracking.
Stakeholder Management & Board Engagement: Nurtured strong relationships with the Investors, CXOs, and Board Members,
aligning strategic objectives with corporate vision.
Regulatory & Compliance Leadership: Ensuring adherence to IFRS, GAAP, RBI Guidelines, Tax Regulations, and Corporate
Governance policies across diverse geographies.
Sales & Market Penetration Strategies: Designing & executing Go-To-Market Strategies, increasing revenue streams and
expanding customer bases in highly competitive markets.
Multi-functional Team Leadership: Leading high-performing teams across Finance, HR, Marketing, and Operations, fostering a
culture of innovation & excellence.
CORE COMPETENCIES
P&L Management & Financial Forecasting
Business Transformation & Change Management
Risk Governance & Compliance Leadership
Talent Development & Succession Planning
Digital Transformation & Process Automation
Stakeholder & Investor Relations
SOFT SKILLS
Innovative in Thought & Solutions
Management Consultancy
Strategic Planning & Market Expansion
Budgeting, Cost Control & Financial Analysis
Mergers, Acquisitions & Business Integrations
Operational Efficiency & Performance Optimization
Go-To-Market (GTM) Strategy Execution
EDUCATION
Strong Business Acumen
AICWA from The Institute of Cost & Works Accountants of
India in 1997
Strategic Thinker
B.Com. (Honors) from Calcutta University in 1992
Emotional Empathy
Planner
Visionary
CAREER TIMELINE
Apr’95Mar’00
Apr’00Jul’09
Aug’09Aug’10
Since
Sept’10
WORK EXPERIENCE
Since Sept’10: Coffee Day Global Ltd., Bengaluru
Growth Path:
Sept’10-Nov’19: General Manager (Costing & TVA)Since Dec’19: Head-Procurement, Finance & MIS, Supply Chain & Logistics
Key Result Areas as Head-Procurement, Finance & MIS, Supply Chain & Logistics:
Heading the department, actively analyzing and optimizing Supply Chain & Logistics processes and cost structures.
Designing and standardizing SOPs, Master Agreements, and PO Masters to enhance operational efficiency.
Driving cost reduction and process control by conceptualizing, initiating, and executing strategic business initiatives.
Spearheading vendor development and negotiations, ensuring competitive procurement terms and service excellence.
Administering material procurement planning and distribution, streamlining supply chain workflow.
Managing import procurement planning and distribution, ensuring seamless cross-border logistics.
Approving and tracking Supply Chain & Logistics expenses to maintain financial discipline.
Supervising budget approvals and ongoing financial monitoring to optimize cost structures.
Leading the integration of the Logistics division into Supply Chain, ensuring a seamless transition.
Spearheading the financial operations of the newly merged Logistics division, aligning it with corporate financial strategies.
Tracking delivery schedules, analyzing operational progress, and executing corrective measures to proactively address risks and
prevent delays.
Architecting and deploying robust purchasing strategies and contingency plans, ensuring strategic alignment with organizational
and project-specific goals.
Coordinating with clients to facilitate project-based procurement, urgent purchases, and acquisition of critical spares to prevent
operational bottlenecks.
Pioneering strategic sourcing initiatives by identifying and engaging cost-efficient suppliers to enhance quality, reliability, and
cost optimization.
Reviewing vendor performance through structured assessments based on pricing, quality improvements, adherence to delivery
schedules, credit terms, and compliance benchmarks.
Key Result Areas as Head-Procurement, Finance & MIS, Supply Chain & Logistics:
Developed an in-house ERP system and structured finance processes for logistics, facilitating a seamless transition to D365.
Integrated Cold Chain, Dry Chain, and Warehousing into the Supply Chain Division, digitizing manual processes to enhance control
and visibility.
Established finance and accounting workflow, ensuring streamlined operations and smoother D365 adoption.
Optimized spare parts procurement for Coffee Vending Machines by shifting from 1-month to 2-month indents, improving
planning efficiency.
Elevated the Fill Rate from 75% to 98%, ensuring improved inventory availability and operational continuity.
Key Result Areas as General Manager (Costing & TVA):
Directed capital expenditure analysis and approvals, ensuring strategic allocation of resources across the group.
Engineered and executed cost-optimization strategies, driving operational efficiency and financial savings.
Forged and managed vendor alliances to enhance procurement effectiveness and cost control.
Governed revenue expenditure approvals, enforcing fiscal discipline & management.
Conducted rigorous audits and cost verifications to maintain financial integrity and regulatory compliance.
Steered budget approvals and instituted continuous financial performance monitoring frameworks.
Played an instrumental role in the IPO process, managing financial structuring and adherence to regulatory mandates.
Acted as a key architect in deploying Internal Financial Controls (IFC), reinforcing financial governance and risk mitigation.
Key Deliverables:
Optimized Energy Consumption & Diesel Monitoring:
Conducted a detailed study on café energy usage, identifying a 20% electricity cost-saving opportunity by maintaining AC
temperatures at 25°C. Explored market solutions but found them cost-prohibitive, leading to the development of a custom GSMbased energy monitoring system at just 5% of the market cost. Successfully implemented the solution across multiple locations.
Additionally, spearheaded the development of a diesel monitoring system using level sensors to regulate genset fuel consumption.
Innovative Camera Project for Loss Prevention:
Played a pivotal role in company’s flagship camera project, shifting its focus from surveillance to pilferage prevention. Led selection,
procurement & initial installation phases while designing SOPs. Proposed a virtual boundary system within video management software
to filter unnecessary movement recordings, reducing video length and improving monitoring efficiency.
Designed & Implemented Software & Tracking Systems:
Conceptualized and deployed various custom software solutions and tracking systems to enhance operational oversight, optimize
workflow, and drive data-driven decision-making.
Strategic Vendor Development & Cost Optimization:
Addressed high café setup costs by diversifying vendor partnerships across regions. Expanded vendor base for interior contractors,
signage, air conditioning, and equipment, ensuring cost reduction through competitive pricing and volume-based negotiations. This
strategic move reduced fit-out expenses and accelerated project timelines, enabling rapid expansion with improved efficiency.
Aug’09-Aug’10: The Nilgiri Dairy Farm Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru as Commercial Manager
Key Result Areas:
Led the commercial function across three factories, enhancing processes and systems to drive efficiency and productivity.
Reviewed and optimized operational workflow, identifying cost reduction opportunities and mitigating revenue leakage.
Spearheaded initiatives to streamline raw material and finished goods inventory management, ensuring optimal stock levels & accuracy.
Managed dispatch, billing, payments, and accounts divisions, improving financial control and operational transparency.
Directed sales and profit center accounting, ensuring accurate reporting and financial oversight.
Implemented and monitored commercial controls to enhance compliance and minimize financial risks.
Developed and executed costing and pricing strategies, aligning with market trends and profitability goals.
Established and refined MRP (Material Requirement Planning) frameworks to optimize procurement and production efficiency.
Key Deliverables:
Conducted product-wise profitability analysis, pioneering the first-ever contribution and profitability model for over 500 products.
Established commercial systems from scratch post-SAP implementation, ensuring stability and efficiency.
Developed a scientific pricing framework, enabling accurate new product pricing and strategic price revisions.
Enhanced sales strategy formulation by leveraging data-driven profitability insights.
Earned the Best Performer Award for exceptional contributions in Q3 2009.
Led the implementation of a robust collection tracking system, improving receivables by over 50%.
Designed the most effective collection tracker within the group, setting a benchmark for financial tracking efficiency.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Apr’00-Jul’09: Hindustan Unilever Ltd.
Growth Path / Deputations:
Apr’00-Nov’04: Senior Accounts Officer / KolkataDec’04-Jul’09: Senior Commercial Executive / Haldia
Apr’95-Mar’00: WPIL Ltd. (A member of Williamson Magor Group of Companies), Kolkata as Accounts Officer
PERSONAL DETAILS
Date of Birth: 28th May 1969
Languages Known: English, Hindi, Bengali & Kannada (Basic Level)
Address: Flat No.-508, Mahaveer Orchids Apartments, Rayasandra Village, Dudmara, Bengaluru-560099
