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 solid 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.

📌 Program Manager – Chennai/Bangalore
🏢 Talent Linked Consultancy
📍 Chennai