LAXMI PRASANNA VUDDI
Summary
Results-driven Assistant Category Manager with 2+ years of experience managing the Fruits & Vegetables category in a leading retail environment. Experienced in category strategy, supplier negotiations, demand forecasting, pricing, inventory optimisation, P&L analysis, and commercial planning. Managed 120+ SKUs across 138 retail stores while working with 15+ suppliers and contributing to category growth from ₹30 lakh to ₹1.2 crore annual turnover. Advanced Excel and SAP user with the right to work in the UK without sponsorship.
Overview
1
1
Certification
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Category Manager
Reliance Retail
BANGALORE, INDIA
04.2023 - 01.2026
- Managed relationships and commercial negotiations with 15+ suppliers, securing favourable trading terms, improving cost efficiency, and ensuring uninterrupted supply.
- Analysed market trends, competitor activity, and consumer behaviour across 120+ SKUs to identify category growth opportunities and optimize assortment decisions.
- Utilised data analytics to inform decision-making and improve category performance metrics.
- Executed promotional strategies and pricing guidelines informed by market benchmarking and Mystery Shopper insights to enhance category appeal.
- Planned and executed around 12+ category promotions and offers to boost sales and overall contribution.
- Engaged with customers to collect feedback on product range and shopping experience, informing continuous improvement initiatives.
- Maintained detailed records of sales activities and analysed trends to identify underserved areas and opportunities for category growth.
- Designed and maintained weekly forecasting dashboards to support demand planning, inventory optimization, and sales performance reviews
- Forecasted demand for 120+ SKUs by analysing historical sales, seasonal trends, and inventory movement, supporting improved stock availability.
- Executed special projects, including store openings and brand collaborations, to enhance category exposure.
- Achieved monthly and YTD sales targets by aligning operational plans with demand forecasts.
- Analysed weekly sales data for 120+ SKUs to optimise replenishment planning, reduce stock-outs, and improve inventory availability.
- Utilised customer data analytics to refine targeting strategies, improving the relevance and impact of marketing efforts.
- Collaborated with logistics, procurement, and store operations teams to manage inventory flow across 138 retail stores, improving product availability and optimizing delivery schedules.
- Facilitated cross-functional meetings with purchasing, sales, and marketing teams to align on category objectives and strategies.
- Managed the end-to-end product lifecycle for 70+ SKUs, from new product introduction to delisting, maximizing sales and category profitability.
- Maintained FIFO practices and inventory hygiene to minimize write-offs and preserve quality.
- Managed daily pricing decisions for 120+ SKUs, balancing demand, supply, product quality, and competitive pricing to protect category margins.
- Analysed weekly, monthly, and annual P&L reports to monitor category revenue, profitability, and cost performance, supporting commercial decision-making.Contributed to the growth of the Fruits & Vegetables category from ₹30 lakh to ₹1.2 crore annual turnover over three years through strategic category planning, pricing optimisation, supplier negotiations, and demand forecasting.
- Managed the end-to-end Fruits & Vegetables portfolio across 138 retail stores, ensuring product availability, profitability, and operational excellence.
- Managed commercial relationships and negotiations with 15+ suppliers, securing favourable trading terms while improving cost efficiency and product availability.
- Managed 120+ SKUs, driving assortment planning, lifecycle management, replenishment, and inventory optimisation.
- Analysed market trends, competitor activity, and consumer behaviour to identify category growth opportunities and support commercial decision-making.
- Designed and maintained weekly forecasting dashboards to improve demand planning and inventory accuracy.
- Forecasted demand for 120+ SKUs by analysing historical sales, seasonal trends, and inventory movement.
- Planned and executed 12+ promotional campaigns using market benchmarking and customer insights to improve sales performance.
- Collaborated with logistics, procurement, store operations, and marketing teams to optimise inventory flow across 138 stores, reducing lead times and improving product availability.
- Performed pricing decisions across 120+ SKUs based on demand, supply, quality, and market trends to maintain margins.
- Analysed weekly, monthly, and annual P&L reports to monitor category profitability and support strategic business decisions.
- Reduced Out-of-Stock (OOS) and Undelivered (UD) products through proactive forecasting and supplier coordination.
- Reported directly to the State Category Manager, supporting commercial planning and category performance reviews.
Customer Onboarding (Milk & Milk Products)
Sid's Farm
HYDERABAD, INDIA
04.2022 - 06.2022
- Streamlined onboarding processes, reducing turnaround time by 20%.
- Implemented a customer service strategy that promoted positive experiences and increased customer satisfaction.
- Maintained 95% customer satisfaction rate through proactive issue resolution.
- Delivered exceptional customer service by proactively listening to concerns and answering questions.
- Offered friendly, efficient customer service and handled challenging situations with ease.
- Created and delivered targeted sales pitches that contributed to 15% sales increase.
- Applied critical thinking to analyse problems, evaluate solutions, and select the best decisions.
- Acquired new skills quickly to improve daily task efficiency and support team goals.
- Completed assigned tasks within strict deadlines, ensuring timely project delivery.
Education
MBA/PGDM - Agri-Business Plantation Management
Indian Institute of Plantation Management
Bangalore01-2023
B.Sc. - Agriculture
HNB Garhwal University
Uttarakhand01-2021
Skills
- Advanced Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, Dashboards)
- SAP MM
- Category Management
- Assortment Planning
- Demand Forecasting
- Sales Forecasting
- Inventory Management
- Pricing & Margin Analysis
- P&L Analysis
- Retail Analytics
- Data Analysis
- KPI Reporting
- Procurement & Strategic Sourcing
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Vendor Negotiation
- Commercial Planning
- Market & Competitor Analysis
NO SPONSORSHIP REQUIRED
I have the right to work full-time in the UK with no sponsorship required.
Key Achievements
- Contributed to increasing annual category turnover from ₹30 lakh to ₹1.2 crore during my tenure.
- Managed 120+ SKUs across 138 retail stores.
- Negotiated commercial terms with 15+ suppliers.
- Planned and executed 12+ category promotions annually.
Certification
- Excel Basics for Data Analysis
- Excel Skills for Business: Essentials
- Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate
Timeline
Assistant Category Manager
Reliance Retail
04.2023 - 01.2026
Customer Onboarding (Milk & Milk Products)
Sid's Farm
04.2022 - 06.2022
MBA/PGDM - Agri-Business Plantation Management
Indian Institute of Plantation Management
B.Sc. - Agriculture
HNB Garhwal University