Vikaas Sood

Accomplished Sales, Business Development, and Marketing leader with 32 years of experience in the stainless steel and metals industry, covering strategic account management, market entry, and PAN-India sales leadership across Automotive, Pipe & Tube, and Railway segments. Delivered 20%+ year-on-year revenue growth and 25% improvement in client retention through strategic account management, MOU-driven long-term contracts, and priority-based order management. Currently advising stainless steel trading operations - sourcing from JSL and international mills to supply stainless steel clients across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Strategic Growth Advisor - Stainless Steel Sales, Business Development & Marketing - Freelance Consultant - Stainless Steel Sector

(2023-02)

Driving stainless steel trading business development - selling to stainless steel clients and sourcing from JSL and international mills - expanding sales from Mumbai across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Building segment and application strategy, creating the strategic sales growth roadmap for stainless steel products. Developing and nurturing key strategic account relationships with procurement, marketing, and sales teams of steel-sector clients, strengthening credibility, trust, and repeat business.

Advising stainless steel clients on market entry strategy and supply chain optimization, delivering measurable growth in market share.

• Delivered competitive analysis and client-specific insights, enabling a 10-15% increase in monthly sales volume for multiple clients across North and West regions

North Region Sales Head - Jindal Stainless Ltd

(2021-09 - 2023-01)

Led strategic account management for Automotive, Pipe & Tube, and Railway segments, managing 27,000 MT monthly sales volume.

• Improved client retention 25% through strategic account management and long-term MOU-driven contract negotiations
• Exceeded quarterly sales targets 15% through customized account plans and priority-based order management
• Led and mentored a 12-member sales team, achieving 15% year-over-year growth through coaching and strategic planning

Gujarat Region Sales Head - Jindal Stainless Ltd

(2010-06 - 2021-08)

Directed key account relationships, delivering consistent 20% year-on-year revenue growth with 14,000 MT monthly sales volume.

• Pioneered Pipe & Tube segment expansion through Baroda yard operations, growing segment revenue 30% - model later implemented PAN India
• Built strategic partnerships with major OEMs, fabricators, and industrial customers, sustaining 80%+ customer retention
• Analyzed competitor strategies and implemented agile pricing and marketing engagement to strengthen market positioning

Senior Manager - North Territory - Shah Alloys Ltd

(2008-03 - 2010-04)

• Expanded brand presence across North Territory, achieving 20% increase in annual sales revenue
• Grew client portfolio 25% through targeted key account acquisition in the Railways segment
• Executed market entry strategies for new customer segments, building sustainable revenue streams

Sales Manager - India - Samsung C&T Corporation

(2006-09 - 2008-02)

• Led establishment of POSCO service centre with 60,000 MT annual capacity, improving operational efficiency 40%
• Grew sales volume 20% for automotive and stainless steel products through strategic market positioning
• Built integrated supply chain, reducing logistics costs 15% while improving product availability for key accounts

Manager - Sales - Jindal Stainless, Hisar

(2000-01 - 2006-09)

• Consistently exceeded annual targets, growing regional sales volume 18% across automotive, industrial, and OEM segments
• Introduced new product lines, increasing customer acquisitions 25%
• Improved operational efficiency through order tracking and quality control systems, reducing processing time 20%

Executive - Plant Operations - Jindal Strips Ltd

(1996-04 - 1999-12)

• Managed shift operations on 4HI and 20Hi mills, improving production efficiency 15%
• Reduced production defects 10% through enhanced QA processes and real-time monitoring
• Built a strong technical foundation in stainless steel manufacturing processes, capabilities, and constraints

Master of Business Administration - MBA

Bachelor of Science - B.Sc.