NIKHIL SAWANT

• Successfully lead the formulation and implementation of comprehensive strategic direction for commercial team, aimed at maximising overall commercial outcomes: sales, profit & customer satisfaction.
• Delivered a $68M Better Buying result in F25; helping to improve commercial result and price competitiveness.
• Lead the development of our Pricing & Customer Value strategy and build a 2 year roadmap to reset our price position on shelf & promotions, range optimisation to deliver operational efficiency & commercial benefit.
• Comprehensive review of our Price Mechanics and how we can build these to deliver value for our customers while being complaint with Commerce Commission: Grocery Code & Price Trust requirements.
• Implemented our Pricing strategy [Phase1-$60M investment] without any adverse commercial impact.
• Established a Trade planning function [Commercial,ECom,EDR & Brand] which had improved our customer offer across all channels and is delivering some great results.
• Working in collaboration with WiQ team to develop tools to streamline current processes and enhance our insights and analytics for commercial teams. Also working on further enhancements of tools & explore use of Artificial Intelligence and how it can drive the future of buying [Connected Buying]
• Building platform for commercial teams to enable them to foster strategic Supplier partnerships & create a long standing strategic advantage for WWNZ.

A great opportunity to lead WWNZ Commercial team in F25Q4.

• Delivered to our forecasted sales and profit numbers for Q4
• Build F26 Commercial Strategy & Annual Operating Plan and presented to Woolworth's Board members
• Spearheaded the Commercial Simplification process, establishing the new Operating model crucial for achieving our strategic priorities for F26.

• Growing sales, profitability and building strategic plans for wider Fresh business and my current portfolio which has a weekly sales turn over of approximately $50 Million.
• Leading development of Countdowns fresh strategy and growth plan for the next 5 years.
• Working along with supplier partners to build a Differentiated product strategy in Fresh.
• Leading our strategic partnership with Hilton Foods New Zealand to deliver a world leading Meat & Seafood offer for our customers.
• Work with relevant teams to ensure that strategy and targets are aligned between business.
• Developing our Fresh Value chain initiatives across specific business units to improve product freshness and quality improving our customer offer.
• Building key strategic initiatives which include developing future store formats, repositioning of Meat & Seafood categories, developing our ready meals business & convenience food offer, improving availability, process improvement and reducing shrink in our business.
• Responsible for $2.6 Billion+ Sales portfolio.
• Strategic planning for Meat/Seafood, Dairy, Deli, Bakery & Proprietary Bakery.
• Working with a very talented group of 39 team members. 7 Merchandise Managers, 11 Category managers, assistance category managers and promotional planners.
• Working with Executive Leadership team on key strategic projects.

• Responsible for $1.4 Billion+ Sales portfolio.
• Strategic planning for Perishables, Deli & Bakery.
• Working along with supplier partners to build a customer first strategy.
• Working with a very talented group of 30 team members. 3 Merchandise Managers, 8 Category managers, assistance category managers and promotional planners.
• Working with Executive Leadership team on key strategic projects.

• Managing Perishables and Deli portfolio.
• Turning a -4% Sales decline to positive +3% Sales growth a key achievement in this role.
• Motivating team to deliver Sales and Profit and making them believe in their ability to do this.

• Responsible for $1 Billion+ Sales portfolio.
• Strategic planning for Dairy portfolio.
• Working along with Marketing and Operations to ensure retail execution.
• Managing a team of 10 buyers and 2 promotional planners.
• Working with Communications & Public Relations team on key strategic projects. (Phasing out of 'Caged Eggs' from Countdown stores)

• Responsible for Sales and Profit for every Category in Perishables portfolio during this tenure.
• Working alongside small and medium suppliers to bring innovation in categories.
• Building strong business relationships with suppliers for long-term strategic benefits for both businesses.

• Learning basics of Buying and Category Management.
• Managing a small category and assisting Senior buyers in category reviews for major categories.

• Coal face is where my journey started.
• Roles covered during this period Chilled supervisor, Department Manager, Duty Manager & Store Manager trainee program.