Hardik Pujara

Strategic Business professional with 7+ years of experience in end-to-end execution, sales, and business development across international markets and diverse cultures. Skilled in stakeholder management and customer relationship management, with a proven ability to drive business growth in highly volatile and dynamic environments

Work Experience

Live Projects:

Based on Sustainable Corporate Governance and Climate Accountability, we are developing a framework for Measurable, Verifiable, and Reportable Carbon Emissions Reduction, with a particular emphasis on Scope 3 Emissions under Professor Amit Garg, IIMA

 

Assistant Manager, Senior Executive, Executive | Shankar Packagings Limited | Vadodara

Key Account Management: International Markets

Developed and executed strategies to build and strengthen relationships with multi-million dollar B2B clients across the globe by understanding their value chain, offering consultative products and services, and aligning stakeholders’ deliverables to drive client satisfaction and revenue growth

Revenue Growth & Impact: 

  • Achieved $10M of record revenue from a German client by managing the complete sales funnel, from inquiry to post-sales support and as a primary point of contact.
  • Secured long-term global contracts of $4M by engaging directly with C-suite executives, deepening partnerships to expand the company's footprints into the European and USA markets and leveraging these contracts to attract new customers and drive growth.
  • Ensured stability of a $7.5M portfolio of Fortune 500 clients by driving cross-functional coordination across logistics, sampling, quality, planning, and production.
  • Achieved the highest business volume of 114 Full container loads from the world’s largest chemical company, establishing the company as a preferred supplier for various plants in Europe and the USA by effective cross-collaboration across different departments. 
  • Increased revenue by $115K by spearheading the company's entry into high-volume segments in Germany, including recycling.
  • Secured consistent 4+(on a scale of 5) customer ratings from a key Czech Republic client through reliable service.
  • Selected by senior leadership to collaborate directly with the Managing Director on strategic and tactical business initiatives, demonstrating management’s trust in my capability to drive business growth and deliver high-impact results.

 

Product Development & Sustainability:

  • Secured $115K in new business from a US client, with a yearly potential of $400K, by developing a highly atmosphere-sensitive liner.
  • Captured $60K in new opportunity by developing a high-temperature stable liner for a German client, working directly with a vendor.
  • Mitigated the impact of the Plastic Tax in Europe by driving the adoption of Reusable FIBCs and inducing trials of Recycled FIBCs. 

 

Profitability Enhancement:

  • Increased bottom line by $6K per month through rerouting shipments by working closely with the logistics team and freight forwarders.
  • Consistently surpassed the gross margin targets by 10% through effective P&L management of various business accounts. 

 

Stakeholder & Crisis Management:

  • Saved $50K in a Quality claim from a food-grade end user by leading Root Cause Analysis across the entire production flow.
  • Led supplier audits and managed customer visits for German conglomerates by working closely with various teams and departments with no significant non-compliances, cementing the company’s position as a preferred supplier.
  • Proactively mitigated business risks during COVID-19 by securing $150K in surcharge/support and stabilising client relationships through periodic updates, earning commendation from clients and management.

 

Data Analytics & Tech Integration:

  • Digitized the supply chain for a German chemical company using QR codes, enhancing traceability for 25% of their business with us.
  • Captured $1M in potential opportunities by directing data-driven market analysis through trade intelligence platforms.

 

Team Development:

  • Strengthened the Customer Relationship Management function of the International Marketing division by developing 5 team members.

 

New Business Development – International Markets

Spearheaded the strategic diversification of the company's business model by expanding into newer markets and channels, resulting in a $400K topline growth within the first year in the USA, Canada, the Middle East, and Africa markets.

  • Generated 300+ leads and developed a $1M+ sales pipeline by conducting market research to identify trends and growth opportunities.
  • Enabled the first sale of $9K in Saudi Arabia with the largest Titanium Dioxide manufacturer, with an annual potential of $250K.
  • Opened potential for a new distribution channel in Qatar by securing the first sale of $2.4K through targeted engagement. 
  • Developed a pipeline of $500K by co-leading the planning & execution of the company's first exhibition in the ASEAN market (Thailand).
  • Re-established the company’s presence in the UAE market after a 5+ year gap by incentivising sample trials with a leading industrial minerals producer, unlocking an annual revenue potential of $200K.
  • Paved the way for contract discussions with a Global PET company, initiating a potential $400,000 deal for next year.
  • Secured the company's first order in Tanzania, unlocking an annual revenue potential of $750,000 for next year.
  • Strategically engaged with a petrochemical company in Qatar to lay the groundwork for a $200,000 annual contract, set to commence in 2026, advancing through the sample trial phase

 

Service Engineer | Voltas Limited | Ahmedabad

Erection, commissioning & Value-Added Services of Textile Spinning Machine- Ringframe

  • Led a team of 30+ in Ringframe execution and commissioning projects across Gujarat, realizing on-time execution and client expectations.
  • Enhanced product quality Index and productivity at key customer site in  Bharuch, Gujarat, boosting customer satisfaction and business opportunities.
Accomplishments
  • Performance Recognition by International Clients: Special Commendation/Recommendation Letter by Clients for exemplary performance & business Impact.
  • Performance Recognition by Employer: Identified as High Potential Candidate in Shankar Packagings Limited for fast track career growth.
  • International Recognition during graduation - Rieter Award 2015, awarded to world’s best textile students.
  • Academic Achievement- Awarded all 3 Gold Medals of the batch (B.E. -Textile Technology, 2012-2016)
  • International Journal Articles:
    • Effect of Cotton Fibers and Their Trash Characteristics on the Performance of Spinning Preparatory Processes, July 2016, International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications 
    • Back-propagation ANN to Predict Cleanliness and Quality of Cotton Spinning Preparatory Output: A    Comprehensive Research, Volume 18, Issue 5, 2024, Recent Patents on Engineering, Bentham Science.
Education

Bachelor of Technology (Textile Technology), The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda

Certificates
  • AWS Certified Cloud Practioner, Udemy
  • Climate & Sustainability Job Simulation by BCG Forage.
  • Foundations of Project Management by Google  
  • Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project by Google                                                                                   
  • Environmental Social Governance Certification by Bloomberg 
  • Digital Marketing by Hubspot
Co/Extra-curricular
  • Actively contributing to the PGPX- Co’2024 in the role of Elected Academic Representative, Student Council by working with PGPX office, Chairperson, Professors & Batchmates for effective learning outcomes.
  • Core member of the Sales & Marketing Club, PGPX Co’2024, leveraging my B2B sales and business development experience to facilitate knowledge-sharing and host industry leaders for speaker sessions.
  • Served as Placement Coordinator for the Textile Technology Batch, Class of 2016, attracting many first-time employers.
  • Class Representative for the Textile Technology Batch, 2013-2014, balancing the expectations and needs of various stakeholders within an educational Institute.

Quick Look

  • Work Experience: 7.5 Years
  • Previous Roles

    Assistant Manager, Shankar Packagings Limited

    Service Engineer, Voltas Limited

  • Function : General Management
    Sales & Marketing
    Strategy
  • Industry/Sector: FMCG/CPG
    Manufacturing & Engineering
    Pharma/Healthcare/Life Sciences
Work Experience

Live Projects:

Based on Sustainable Corporate Governance and Climate Accountability, we are developing a framework for Measurable, Verifiable, and Reportable Carbon Emissions Reduction, with a particular emphasis on Scope 3 Emissions under Professor Amit Garg, IIMA

 

Assistant Manager, Senior Executive, Executive | Shankar Packagings Limited | Vadodara

Key Account Management: International Markets

Developed and executed strategies to build and strengthen relationships with multi-million dollar B2B clients across the globe by understanding their value chain, offering consultative products and services, and aligning stakeholders’ deliverables to drive client satisfaction and revenue growth

Revenue Growth & Impact: 

  • Achieved $10M of record revenue from a German client by managing the complete sales funnel, from inquiry to post-sales support and as a primary point of contact.
  • Secured long-term global contracts of $4M by engaging directly with C-suite executives, deepening partnerships to expand the company's footprints into the European and USA markets and leveraging these contracts to attract new customers and drive growth.
  • Ensured stability of a $7.5M portfolio of Fortune 500 clients by driving cross-functional coordination across logistics, sampling, quality, planning, and production.
  • Achieved the highest business volume of 114 Full container loads from the world’s largest chemical company, establishing the company as a preferred supplier for various plants in Europe and the USA by effective cross-collaboration across different departments. 
  • Increased revenue by $115K by spearheading the company's entry into high-volume segments in Germany, including recycling.
  • Secured consistent 4+(on a scale of 5) customer ratings from a key Czech Republic client through reliable service.
  • Selected by senior leadership to collaborate directly with the Managing Director on strategic and tactical business initiatives, demonstrating management’s trust in my capability to drive business growth and deliver high-impact results.

 

Product Development & Sustainability:

  • Secured $115K in new business from a US client, with a yearly potential of $400K, by developing a highly atmosphere-sensitive liner.
  • Captured $60K in new opportunity by developing a high-temperature stable liner for a German client, working directly with a vendor.
  • Mitigated the impact of the Plastic Tax in Europe by driving the adoption of Reusable FIBCs and inducing trials of Recycled FIBCs. 

 

Profitability Enhancement:

  • Increased bottom line by $6K per month through rerouting shipments by working closely with the logistics team and freight forwarders.
  • Consistently surpassed the gross margin targets by 10% through effective P&L management of various business accounts. 

 

Stakeholder & Crisis Management:

  • Saved $50K in a Quality claim from a food-grade end user by leading Root Cause Analysis across the entire production flow.
  • Led supplier audits and managed customer visits for German conglomerates by working closely with various teams and departments with no significant non-compliances, cementing the company’s position as a preferred supplier.
  • Proactively mitigated business risks during COVID-19 by securing $150K in surcharge/support and stabilising client relationships through periodic updates, earning commendation from clients and management.

 

Data Analytics & Tech Integration:

  • Digitized the supply chain for a German chemical company using QR codes, enhancing traceability for 25% of their business with us.
  • Captured $1M in potential opportunities by directing data-driven market analysis through trade intelligence platforms.

 

Team Development:

  • Strengthened the Customer Relationship Management function of the International Marketing division by developing 5 team members.

 

New Business Development – International Markets

Spearheaded the strategic diversification of the company's business model by expanding into newer markets and channels, resulting in a $400K topline growth within the first year in the USA, Canada, the Middle East, and Africa markets.

  • Generated 300+ leads and developed a $1M+ sales pipeline by conducting market research to identify trends and growth opportunities.
  • Enabled the first sale of $9K in Saudi Arabia with the largest Titanium Dioxide manufacturer, with an annual potential of $250K.
  • Opened potential for a new distribution channel in Qatar by securing the first sale of $2.4K through targeted engagement. 
  • Developed a pipeline of $500K by co-leading the planning & execution of the company's first exhibition in the ASEAN market (Thailand).
  • Re-established the company’s presence in the UAE market after a 5+ year gap by incentivising sample trials with a leading industrial minerals producer, unlocking an annual revenue potential of $200K.
  • Paved the way for contract discussions with a Global PET company, initiating a potential $400,000 deal for next year.
  • Secured the company's first order in Tanzania, unlocking an annual revenue potential of $750,000 for next year.
  • Strategically engaged with a petrochemical company in Qatar to lay the groundwork for a $200,000 annual contract, set to commence in 2026, advancing through the sample trial phase

 

Service Engineer | Voltas Limited | Ahmedabad

Erection, commissioning & Value-Added Services of Textile Spinning Machine- Ringframe

  • Led a team of 30+ in Ringframe execution and commissioning projects across Gujarat, realizing on-time execution and client expectations.
  • Enhanced product quality Index and productivity at key customer site in  Bharuch, Gujarat, boosting customer satisfaction and business opportunities.
Accomplishments
  • Performance Recognition by International Clients: Special Commendation/Recommendation Letter by Clients for exemplary performance & business Impact.
  • Performance Recognition by Employer: Identified as High Potential Candidate in Shankar Packagings Limited for fast track career growth.
  • International Recognition during graduation - Rieter Award 2015, awarded to world’s best textile students.
  • Academic Achievement- Awarded all 3 Gold Medals of the batch (B.E. -Textile Technology, 2012-2016)
  • International Journal Articles:
    • Effect of Cotton Fibers and Their Trash Characteristics on the Performance of Spinning Preparatory Processes, July 2016, International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications 
    • Back-propagation ANN to Predict Cleanliness and Quality of Cotton Spinning Preparatory Output: A    Comprehensive Research, Volume 18, Issue 5, 2024, Recent Patents on Engineering, Bentham Science.
Education

Bachelor of Technology (Textile Technology), The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda

Certificates
  • AWS Certified Cloud Practioner, Udemy
  • Climate & Sustainability Job Simulation by BCG Forage.
  • Foundations of Project Management by Google  
  • Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project by Google                                                                                   
  • Environmental Social Governance Certification by Bloomberg 
  • Digital Marketing by Hubspot
Co/Extra-curricular
  • Actively contributing to the PGPX- Co’2024 in the role of Elected Academic Representative, Student Council by working with PGPX office, Chairperson, Professors & Batchmates for effective learning outcomes.
  • Core member of the Sales & Marketing Club, PGPX Co’2024, leveraging my B2B sales and business development experience to facilitate knowledge-sharing and host industry leaders for speaker sessions.
  • Served as Placement Coordinator for the Textile Technology Batch, Class of 2016, attracting many first-time employers.
  • Class Representative for the Textile Technology Batch, 2013-2014, balancing the expectations and needs of various stakeholders within an educational Institute.