Sasikumar Raghavan

An astute professional with 26 years of rich & extensive experience in Shipping/Logistics, Exim, Cargo Operations, Customs Clearance, Customer Relationship Management, Team Management, SCM, Documentation, and Freight management. Adept in handling import/export shipments with knowledge in US customs compliance & VMI. Proficient at carrying out commercial operations with standard knowledge of the government policies & regulations, provisions of EXIM Policy, FEMA Act and Customs Act & Tariff.

Comprehensive experience in Ocean Freight & Airfreight Operations. An enterprising player with strong analytical, problem solving & organisational abilities.

Head of EXIM at Choice Group (2021-12 – Present)

• Export and Import trade compliance
• Export benefit and schemes
• Import license and redemptions
• Order processing and vendor management
• Meeting up with customs officials, attending personal hearings and ensure complete control of shipments
• Meeting up with other agencies like FSSAI, MPEDA, EIA, DGFT when ever required
• Knowledge in US customs compliance
• Customs clearance / freight forwarding and negotiations
• Shipping line contract finalisation
• Ensure 10+2, ISF, and other requirements are fully met within the timeline
• Handling Re-import, Re-export, insurance coverage & ECGC
• Conducting review meeting with vendors on a monthly basis
• Responsible for negotiating documents with the bankers
• Responsible for maintaining data as required by the export promotion council
• Proactive managing deliverables to arrest delay in container placement because of container shortage
• To work with IT to create a dashboard for key deliverables
• Implementing process to avoid cost impact and delay in shipments
• Review meetings with team to evaluate the performance
• Developing and training team
• Discounting & banking operations

Manager – Operations at TVS SCS Global Freight Solutions Ltd (2017-08 – 2021-11)

• Ensuring smooth functions of Sea export Operations
• Handling a volume of 1000 containers per month
• Knowledge in US customs compliance
• Handling vendor managed inventory (VMI)
• Training team to effectively utilise the software CARGOWISE1
• CSI review with customers on monthly basis and maintain good rapport with them
• As a vendor committee member, responsible to identify and review vendors performance
• Handling a team of 30 members and develop them to next level
• Developing rapport with shipping lines and NVOCC operators
• Maintaining good relations with overseas customs brokers & overseas truckers
• Providing solutions to arrest Mold in the container during transit
• Proactive actions to arrest delay in container placement because of container shortage
• To work with IT to create a dashboard for key deliverables
• Implementing process to avoid cost impact and delay in shipments
• Review meetings with team to evaluate the performance
• Developing and training team to climb next level
• Operations managment

Branch Manager – Chennai at Sikkas Kwick Handling Service Pvt Ltd (2011-12 – 2017-07)

• Ensuring smooth functions of Chennai branch
• P & L Management
• Complete control over nomination shipments
• Offering competitive rates for DDP, DAP, FOB, ex-works shipments
• Ensuring the generation of error free debit notes to agents
• Ensuring error free billing to shipper's and Consignee's
• Follow up with the liners and Airlines for manifestation
• Leading the team and organising hassle-free customs clearance
• Obtaining competitive rates from liners and airlines
• Generating continuous business from existing customers by providing satisfactory service levels
• Providing consultancy services to our customers on customs compliance and freight forwarding
• Ensuring cancellation of bonds, Bank Guarantees, obtaining NOCs from customs
• Liaising with customs officials and attending personal hearing with the commissioner of customs in case of any issues
• Handling customs clearance under various schemes like EPCG, DEEC, DEPB, Re-import, Re-export, ATA carnet Jobbing etc.
• Working out competitive quote and preparing tender document for customs clearance and forwarding services
• Handling FTWZ and SEZ operations
• Handling various break-bulk and project clearances
• Maintaining good relations with overseas agents as well as with customers
• Coordinating with DGFT, Chamber of Commerce and other trade related government agencies
• Coordinating with our overseas agents to work out the DDU and DDP rates
• Coordinating with liner agent, airlines and NVOCC operators to procure competitive freight rates
• Monitoring the generation of pre-alerts, CAN, AWB, B/L release and movement of containers

Manager – Southern Region (Customs Compliance) at Dampro Logistics Pvt Ltd - Chennai (2009-04 – 2011-11)

A flagship company of Damani Shipping Pvt Ltd

• Ensuring smooth functions for the customs compliance Department of the southern region
• Leading the team and organising hassle-free customs clearance
• Generating continuous business from existing customers by providing satisfactory service levels
• Providing consultancy services to our customers on customs compliance
• Liaising with customs officials and attending personal hearing with the commissioner of customs in case of any issues
• Handling customs clearance under various schemes like EPCG, DEEC, DEPB, Re-import, Re-export, ATA carnet Jobbing etc.
• Working out competitive quote and preparing tender document for customs clearance and forwarding services
• Handling various break-bulk and project clearances
• Maintaining good relations with overseas agents as well as with customers
• Handling DDU / DDP shipments as well as nomination shipment to the satisfaction of the respective agents
• Coordinating with DGFT, Chamber of Commerce and other trade related government agencies
• Coordinating with our overseas agents to work out DDU and DDP rates
• Coordinating with liner agent, airlines and NVOCC operators to procure competitive freight rates
• Monitoring the generation of pre-alerts, CAN, AWB, B/L release, and movement of containers
• Implemented Operational process for smooth functioning of the department
• Successfully handled a huge project being imported by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
• Attended Sales Development, leadership skills and other training programmes
• Conducted an in-house Training programme on customs clearance to sales and customer service executives

Deputy Manager – Oceanfreight at AFL Dachser Private Ltd., Chennai (2006-11 – 2009-03)

• Leading the team and organising hassle-free Ocean Freight Operations
• Ensuring smooth functions for the entire Ocean Freight Department
• Handling Break-bulk, Project, ODC, EPCG, DEEC, re-import, re-export and other scheme clearances
• Implemented operational procedures for smooth functioning of the department
• Coordinating and updating status of their shipments on regular and development basis
• Coordinating with liner agent and NVOCC operators & tracking the vessel arrivals and sailing
• Coordinating with DGFT, Chamber of Commerce and other trade related government agencies
• Generating of continuous business from existing customers by providing satisfactory service levels
• Maintaining good relations with overseas agents as well as with customers
• Handling DDU / DDP shipments as well as nomination shipment to the satisfaction of the respective agents
• Managing IGM Line split up and amending the manifest for Consol Box
• Handling import consol box operations
• Liaising with customs officials and attending personal hearing with the Commissioner of Customs in case of any issues
• Successfully accomplished generation of 200% increase in department's revenue by providing excellent service and by inducing more confidence in the sales representatives to sell the designated product
• Conducted a Training programme on customs clearance to our team members

Masters in Labour Management