RAJAKUMARAN BASKARAN
Nairobi
Summary
Commercial professional prepared to drive results with solid background in managing business operations and enhancing profitability. Known for fostering team collaboration and adapting to changing market conditions. Skilled in strategic planning and contract negotiation, with focus on delivering high-quality outcomes and maintaining high standards.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Commercial
Electrical Distributors Limited
11.2010 - Current
- Developed strategic partnerships with key suppliers to enhance product offerings and reduce costs.
- Led cross-functional teams to implement process improvements, increasing operational efficiency across departments.
- Conducted market analysis to identify trends and inform pricing strategies, driving competitive advantage in the marketplace.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, optimizing stock levels and reducing excess inventory by implementing just-in-time practices.
- Managing tenders, bids, contracts, and negotiations
- Overseeing cost control, pricing, and revenue management
- Leading supplier and customer commercial agreements
- Supporting project and business unit profitability
- Ensuring compliance with corporate and statutory standards
- Collaborating with operations, finance, and sales teams
- Mentored junior staff on best practices in sales negotiation and customer relationship management, enhancing team performance and cohesion.
- Spearheaded training initiatives for sales teams, focusing on product knowledge and consultative selling techniques to improve customer satisfaction.
- Analyzed sales data to forecast demand accurately, aligning supply chain operations with market requirements effectively.
- Established performance metrics for vendor evaluation, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and quality standards.
- Strengthened client relationships through regular communication and timely resolution of issues, leading to increased customer satisfaction.
- Used key metrics and prepared reports for senior management to monitor performance of commercial activities.
- Enhanced product offerings by conducting market research and identifying emerging trends within the industry.
- Monitored competitor activity, utilizing insights to inform strategic planning and decision-making processes.
- Built relationships with clients to establish new contracts.
- Improved profit margins through diligent expense monitoring and the implementation of cost-saving initiatives where appropriate.
- Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing effective marketing strategies for commercial products.
Senior Accountant
Choithrams
02.2009 - 10.2010
- Oversaw monthly financial closings, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting standards.
- Led preparation of detailed financial reports for management decision-making and strategic planning.
- Mentored junior accountants on best practices in financial reporting and tax compliance.
- Streamlined accounts payable processes, reducing turnaround time and improving vendor relations.
- Implemented automated solutions for reconciliation tasks, enhancing efficiency and reducing errors.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to support budget forecasting and variance analysis initiatives.
- Evaluated internal controls, identifying areas for improvement to mitigate risks and enhance accuracy.
- Provided strategic insights during quarterly audits, contributing to successful outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Prepared monthly journal entries and reconciliations.
- Reconciled accounts and created documents for monthly closure procedures.
- Reviewed documents and accounts for discrepancies and resolved variances.
- Handled month-end and year-end end finances by managing and reporting fixed assets and other data.
- Assisted in internal and external audits by preparing necessary documentation and responding to auditor inquiries.
- Provided timely and accurate financial reporting to senior management, enabling informed decision-making based on reliable data.
- Successfully managed multiple high-stakes projects concurrently, consistently meeting deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and quality control.
- Established strong relationships with vendors to negotiate favorable payment terms that improved working capital management.
- Optimized month-end closing procedures by streamlining workflow processes, reducing time taken from 10 days to 5 days without compromising accuracy or detail level achieved.
Process Associate
Hewlett Packard, HP
06.2008 - 02.2009
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
Audit Assistant
SMV Associates Ltd
10.2007 - 05.2008
- Assessed financial records for accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Collaborated with audit teams to prepare comprehensive reports and documentation.
- Conducted internal audits to identify areas for process improvement and risk mitigation.
- Streamlined data collection processes, enhancing efficiency in audit preparation.
- Reviewed general ledger transactions to identify errors or irregular entries.
- Analyzed financial discrepancies, providing actionable insights to management for resolution.
- Supported senior auditors in the preparation of detailed reports for management, outlining key findings and areas for improvement.
- Completed audits in accordance with regulations and procedures.
- Reduced errors in financial statements by conducting comprehensive account reconciliations and adjusting entries as needed.
- Worked closely with clients'' accounting teams to ensure a smooth flow of information throughout the audit process, minimizing disruptions to daily operations while maintaining the integrity of final results.
- Participated in corporate assessments, examining policies and procedures for inconsistencies.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Commerce
SASTRA University
Tanjore05-2007
Skills
- Operations management
- Team Training
- Customer relationship management
- Contract terms negotiation
- Product management
- Key account management
- New business opportunities
- Strategic planning
- Change management
- Product line management
- Pricing strategy
- Sales strategy
Timeline
Head of Commercial
Electrical Distributors Limited
11.2010 - Current
Senior Accountant
Choithrams
02.2009 - 10.2010
Process Associate
Hewlett Packard, HP
06.2008 - 02.2009
Audit Assistant
SMV Associates Ltd
10.2007 - 05.2008
Bachelor of Science - Commerce
SASTRA University