Program Manager – Chennai/Bangalore

Job Description for Program Manager – Tamil Nadu & Karnataka, Position: Program Manager Location: Chennai/Bangalore (with travel across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka) Experience: 5-8 years About the Role: We are seeking a strategic and execution-focused professional to support the Regional Head for Tamil Naduand Karnataka in driving business growth across 2000+ diverse portfolio.

This role combines strategic program management with operational excellence, serving as the growth catalyst for one of our most mature and competitive markets.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Initiative Management Drive implementation of central & state cross functional initiatives across the stores in Tamil Nadu & Karnataka, the candidate will be primarily responsible for implementation of the initiatives in close coordination with operations leaders.  Apart from central initiatives, lead regional growth programs in close coordination with category teams for Pharma, Generics, FMCG, and Private Labels and continuously monitor performance.

Business Analytics & Performance Tracking Monitor and report regional performance dashboards covering sales, margins, inventory turnover, and customer metrics. Conduct deep-dive analysis on underperforming stores/categories. Generate insights from competitive intelligence in metro markets (Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Mysore) to inform strategy.

 Track and report on ROI of regional initiatives and recommend course corrections. Operational Excellence  Act as the bridge between regional leadership and store operations, ensuring seamless execution of strategies. Run surveys and dipsticks to check compliance with SOPs, merchandising standards, and customer service benchmarks.

Coordinate with cluster managers to resolve operational bottlenecks and scale best practices within the region. Manage regional calendar including store launches, promotional campaigns, and leadership reviews. Stakeholder Management Serve as the primary point of contact for the Regional Head, managing schedules, priorities, and critical communications.

Facilitate collaboration between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka state teams to leverage synergies. Prepare executive presentations, business reviews, and strategic recommendations for leadership meetings. Build strong relationships with central teams (category, supply chain, HR, finance) to drive regional agenda. Required Qualifications: MBA from a recognized institution with strong academic credentials  5-8 years of experience in retail operations, business consulting, program management, or category management.

Prior experience in pharmacy retail, FMCG retail, or organized retail chains is highly preferred. Strong proficiency in business analytics tools (Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, SQL/Tableau/Power BI preferred) Demonstrated experience in managing multi-stakeholder projects and driving business outcomes. Key Competencies: Strategic thinking with strong execution capabilities.

Data-driven decision making and analytical rigour. Excellent communication skills in English, Tamil and Kannada preferred.  Ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments. Strong business acumen across retail operations and category management. Stakeholder management and influence without authority. Understanding of South Indian retail consumer behaviour and competitive landscape.

What Makes This Role Unique: Tamil Nadu and Karnataka represent most established markets with intense competition from regional and national players. This role offers exposure to sophisticated retail operations, diverse urban and semi-urban markets, and the opportunity to drive innovation in a mature region while working with seasoned retail leadership.

Organization is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.