In the accelerated retail and procurement world, successful leadership is a blend of strategic acumen, creativity, and ethical commitment. Great leaders have the capacity to make informed choices based on data while still being empathetic towards all stakeholders, from suppliers to clients. Vikram Verma, Merchandise Manager, Gravs India Overseas Pvt. Ltd., represents this combination with his keen business acumen and sincerity of duty to the stakeholders.
Over a long span of his career, he has shifted to secondary roles as the head of procurement and retail strategy and then to the head of merchandise management at Gravs India Overseas Pvt. Ltd. The core of his leadership is very intensive and concentrated on the creation of sustainable value across the supply chain, focusing on making the partnership and emphasizing operational efficiency without killing the human element in every decision that has been given. He is a visionary leader who stays ahead of industrial changes by understanding market trends, embracing sourcing revolutions, and implementing new technologies like AI to streamline procurement initiatives. As an adaptive leader, he is recognized for empowering teams, cross-functional collaboration, and experimental strategies. His management style allows his teams to use creativity with a high level of confidence and deliver measurable results.
Ethical sourcing and sustainability operations of Vikram include the character of his efforts to uplift local manufacturers, along with quality assurance and global standards of quality assurance establishment. Besides his success in operations, he has taken time to train or advise young working people in improving accountability and growth in retail and purchasing businesses.
Vikram’s Journey from Strategy to Impact
Vikram’s journey began with a deep sense of curiosity and a commitment to creating real value, not just for businesses but for people. From his early days in procurement and retail strategy, he observed how decisions made at the desk could influence families, vendors, and livelihoods. That human impact became his driving force. Fueled by a constant desire to find better solutions and uplift every stakeholder in the supply chain, he chose to step up, continuously learn, and lead with purpose.
Approach to Strategic Collaboration
Vikram believes in adaptive leadership grounded in data and empowered by empathy. He states, “I operate with strategic clarity but allow space for collaboration and ground-level insights.” His teams know that he will stand by them as well as challenge them to think differently. As a result, they have consistently exceeded procurement goals, strengthened vendor relationships, and improved operational efficiency without losing the human touch.
Approach to Learning, Listening, and Experimenting
When it comes to staying ahead in an ever-evolving and competitive landscape, Vikram relies on three key practices:
Continuous Learning: Whether it’s market trends, sourcing innovations, or emerging technologies like AI in retail, Vikram stays informed and adaptable.
Listening to the Ground: He regularly engages with cross-functional teams and suppliers to gain real-time insights and understand what’s changing at the operational level.
Strategic Experimentation: Vikram embraces calculated risks, whether through new product mixes, sourcing models, or pricing strategies. While data reveals the “what,” he believes agility determines the “when” and “how.”
Creating Impact Through Ethical Sourcing and Knowledge Sharing
One of Vikram’s proudest contributions has been developing sourcing strategies that empower local manufacturers while meeting global quality standards. He has championed ethical procurement, reduced wastage, and streamlined inventory, achieving both cost savings and greater transparency. Just as important, he has mentored young professionals in retail and category management, passing forward the knowledge and sense of accountability that shaped his career.
From Predictive Analytics to Sustainable Sourcing
For Vikram, innovation is not an event; it is an attitude. It plays a central role in his strategic decisions and overall mission. He has applied innovation in multiple areas, including:
- Vendor selection processes through predictive analytics
- Inventory management using real-time dashboards
- Strategic sourcing that balances cost with sustainability
He believes that even a 2 per cent efficiency improvement in procurement can unlock significant long-term value. That is the power of everyday innovation.
Record of Delivering Measurable Results
While Vikram has never chased awards, he values results. Some of his proud milestones include scaling the kitchen category by three times during his tenure at HomeShop18, improving supplier compliance and reducing cost overheads by 18 per cent at Jagdamba Cutlery, and being trusted by multiple organizations to lead procurement transformations across industries. The trust of industry peers and the continuous responsibility entrusted to him by top firms remain his greatest recognition.
Mindset for Continuous Improvement
Early in his career, Vikram faced significant challenges convincing traditional suppliers to adapt structured procurement practices. Another obstacle was managing dynamic inventory demand within the e-commerce ecosystem. He states, “With resilience and stakeholder collaboration, I turned these challenges into learning curves. I believe every roadblock is a chance to build better systems.”
Commitment to Excellence and Integrity
For Vikram, values are not just words on walls; they are reflected in every decision. He maintains alignment through clear weekly goal setting, open communication across teams, and periodic vendor reviews and compliance audits. Most importantly, he leads by example. If he expects integrity and excellence, he starts by demonstrating them himself.
Vikram’s Philosophy on Trust and Listening
Vikram believes in being patient with results but impatient with learning. He leads with empathy while never compromising on accountability. He reminds his teams that, no matter how big or small their titles are, the ability to create impact comes from consistency and character. He encourages building trust, staying curious, and never underestimating the power of listening.
Journey and Future Goals
Looking ahead, Vikram’s primary goals include building a sourcing network that champions sustainability and local empowerment, mentoring the next generation of procurement professionals, and driving digital transformation in procurement and merchandising. His long-term vision is to become a thought leader in retail procurement, setting benchmarks for ethical and efficient systems. The journey from assistant buyer to merchandise head across leading Indian firms has been transformative for him. He credits this growth to the support of his mentors and teams, and above all, to his belief that one good decision can create a ripple of positive change.
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