Astha Madan

Learning & Development professional with 14+ years of experience spanning retail operations, training, capability building, trainer management and market-wide learning execution. Currently leading Market Training for Fabindia with responsibility for planning and governance of pan-India functional, behavioural, leadership and compliance learning. Strong business-facing L&D professional with hands-on retail experience as a Store Manager, enabling practical understanding of frontline capability, customer experience, sales and operations.

Manager – Learning & Development | Head of Market Training, Pan India - Fabindia Ltd.

(2025-12)

• Lead planning, coordination and execution of learning initiatives across the market, aligned to business objectives.
• Own the end-to-end market training calendar covering functional, behavioural, leadership and compliance programmes.
• Partner with stakeholders and Regional Trainers to identify capability needs and plan, monitor and deliver learning across pan India.
• Design learning journeys, frameworks and capability programmes for frontline employees.
• Develop training content, assessments and learning resources; drive consistency in learning delivery.
• Track learning effectiveness through KPIs, participant feedback, assessments and business-impact metrics.
• Drive training governance, compliance, MIS reporting and stakeholder communication across learning initiatives.
• Key achievement: Awarded for KPI 2 Achievement for Business Achievement.

State Training Head - Reliance Retail Ltd.

(2022-06 - 2025-08)

• Led training for Store Managers, Assistant Store Managers and Associates across processes and policies.
• Delivered cashier capability training covering billing and system-related processes.
• Managed LMS activities across stores, including SCORM uploads and learning administration.
• Built training calendars, dashboards and MIS to monitor learning execution and coverage.
• Created learning content using AI-enabled tools and supported data-driven L&D reporting.
• Key achievement: Stellar Performer of the Year 2023–24; recognised for Best L&D Initiative – Quick Commerce 2023–24; CTDP certified.

Regional Training Manager - Centum Learning – Titan Tanishq Project

(2021-06 - 2022-06)

• Delivered training to Retail Sales Officers on new collections, product knowledge and basic gold & diamond knowledge.
• Developed capability of Learning Champions and Store Managers on Titan processes, new jewellery collections and Tanishq Way of Life.
• Managed LMS activities, Learning Champion dashboards, training calendars and reporting.

Master Trainer & Coordinator - Headway Services

(2018-06 - 2021-05)

• Managed sourcing, training and hiring support for Reliance Retail and Reliance Foundation across Delhi NCR, Rajasthan and Punjab.
• Designed and delivered retail, selling skills, merchandising, personality development, hospitality, grooming and behavioural programmes.
• Managed a team of 4 trainers; conducted Train-the-Trainer, content certification, scheduling and assessment coordination.
• Coordinated with State HR and HRBP teams for candidate interviews and hiring processes.
• Led virtual training, interviews, MIS and data management during COVID-19.

Trainer - Centum Learning – Bharti-Walmart

(2009-03 - 2011-02)

• Supported sourcing and training for Easyday store expansion across India.
• Delivered training in selling skills, merchandising, visual merchandising, replenishment, store operations, grooming, product knowledge and personality development.

Store Manager - Reebok India Company

(2008-07 - 2009-02)

• Managed end-to-end store operations and sales as profit centre.
• Handled recruitment of sales executives and MIS reporting covering sales, training needs, cash, expenses, walk-ins and conversion.

Store Manager - Arvind Brands Ltd.

(2007-05 - 2008-07)

• Managed store operations, stock supply, recruitment and staff training.
• Handled MIS reporting and supported franchise store openings across stock, staffing, display and billing.

Guest Faculty – Retail Management - India Hotel Academy

(2018 - 2020)

• Teaching retail to undergraduates.

Retail Assessor - PMKVY / RASCI

(2016-09 - 2018-06)

• Assessing candidates on retail knowledge and examination standards.

Host - Delhi NCR

• Hosted a Delhi Government Job Fair connecting PMKVY candidates with employers across Delhi NCR.

FRM (Fashion Retail Management) - Operations & Merchandising - Pearl Academy of Fashion (2005 - 2007)

B.Com - KRG College, Gwalior (2005 - 2005)