National Projects Head

About the Company

Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands Limited (ABLBL), a part of the Aditya Birla Group, is a leading branded apparel company with a comprehensive portfolio of marquee lifestyle brands.

As of March 31, 2025, the Company operates a retail footprint of over 4.6 million sq. ft., comprising 3,253 exclusive brand outlets, presence across 38,000+ multi-brand outlets, and over 7,000 shop-in-shops in department stores across the country.

The Company's brand portfolio includes India's most established and trusted names – Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, and Peter England – each with a legacy of over 25 years.

These brands have consistently delivered sustained growth, driven by a sharp focus on design-led innovation, category expansion, and operational excellence across product lines spanning formal, casual, and occasion wear.

ABLBL has built a strong presence in the innerwear and athleisure market through Van Heusen Innerwear, which has rapidly scaled its distribution network across India. The Company's portfolio is further enhanced through strategic partnerships with leading international brands including Simon Carter, American Eagle and Reebok. American Eagle has emerged as one of India's most preferred premium denim brands, while Reebok – transitioned under the Company's management in 2022 – has expanded its footprint across multiple channels. Simon Carter continues to strengthen its position in the premium menswear segment through its distinctive design language and curated collections.

Role Summary

National Head – Projects (Execution)

An accomplished Project Management leader to head the national execution function for a large multi-brand retail network. The ideal candidate is a Degree Engineer with formal Project Management education and over 15 years of hands-on experience in retail store execution, managing end-to-end project delivery across multiple regions. The role encompasses the delivery of new stores, renovations, partial renovations, relocations, store closures, and asset transfers, ensuring seamless execution throughout the project lifecycle.

The candidate should possess strong expertise in project execution, maintenance, vendor management, stakeholder expectation management, cost control, material management, planning and scheduling, quality, audits, governance, and compliance. A sound design orientation with the ability to balance brand intent, execution quality, cost, and timelines is essential. The role requires proven capability in leading large cross-functional teams, driving operational excellence, and consistently delivering projects on time, within budget, and to defined quality standards.

Exposure to digital project management platforms, data-driven decision-making, and AI-enabled project delivery will be an added advantage. Strong leadership, commercial acumen, negotiation skills, problem-solving ability, and experience managing complex, high-volume retail rollout programs in a customer-centric environment are essential.

Key Result Areas

1. Cost Planning & BOQ Governance

• Develop and maintain standardized Master BOQs with material specifications, HSN codes, and item-level costing.
• Collaborate with Procurement to ensure accurate cost benchmarking and commercial viability.

2. Vendor Network Development

• Build and strengthen a scalable vendor ecosystem based on business projections, geographic spread, and execution requirements.
• Ensure availability of capable partners to support expansion and project delivery.

3. Strategic Sourcing & Contract Management

• Drive consolidation of high-value spend categories through competitive bidding and e-auctions.
• Finalize rate contracts with approved vendors in partnership with Procurement and Commercial teams.

4. Vendor Performance Excellence

• Establish vendor performance evaluation frameworks and periodic reviews.
• Drive vendor capability enhancement, rationalization, and payment governance to ensure operational efficiency.

5. Budget & Cost Optimization

• Develop project cost grids and provide cost inputs for annual budgeting and business planning.
• Monitor budget adherence, analyze variances, and identify opportunities for cost optimization.

6. Process Excellence & Governance

• Design and continuously improve project planning, execution, and commercial processes.
• Implement best practices to enhance efficiency, compliance, and project outcomes.

7. Project Review & Performance Management

• Lead and participate in periodic business review forums to monitor project progress, resolve challenges, and drive timely decision-making.
• Ensure effective tracking of execution, commercial performance, and stakeholder commitments.

8. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Brand, RBD, Trade, Commercial, Procurement, Finance, and other key stakeholders to align project objectives with business priorities.
• Integrate cross-functional requirements and feedback into project planning and execution.