Sivaranjani Sivakumar/Future Leader in Sustainable Food Innovation and Ethical Business

SAINSBURYS, OXFORD— UK

Trading Assistant(Part Time)
October 16, 2024 – Present

While studying my MSc Management at Oxford Brookes University, I have been working part-time at Sainsbury’s. This role has given me real-world experience in the food retail sector in the UK. My responsibilities involve customer service, managing food products, supporting supply chain processes, and maintaining quality and sustainability standards.

Through this experience, I have developed strong teamwork and communication skills, learned how British food businesses operate day-to-day, and gained a better understanding of customer expectations. It has also helped me experience sustainable practices in real business settings, which closely align with my future goals in the organic food industry.
Working in a multicultural environment has improved my adaptability, patience, and leadership skills, which I believe will be crucial for my long-term career in food exports and sustainable business innovation.

SUMAN FOOD PRODUCT- COIMBATORE- INDIA

Employer- Saravanan Sellappan

Email:sellappan@gmail.com

Phone number: (+91) 9944256263

General Manager – Warehouse & Export
May 2022 – August 2024

After years of working across departments in the food export industry, I took on a leadership role as General Manager overseeing both warehouse operations and international exports. In this role, I was responsible for managing every part of the process—right from production and packing, to export documentation and customer satisfaction.

One of my biggest priorities was quality. I developed inspection routines that helped identify even the smallest issues in packaging, shelf life, or product presentation. These quality control measures helped us reduce customer complaints and maintain strong trust with our international clients.

I also worked hard to bring structure and savings to our operations. By introducing more efficient scheduling, negotiating smarter deals with vendors, and planning bulk shipments, I helped the company cut production and logistics costs by over 40%. This not only improved profitability, but also allowed us to offer better rates to our regular customers.

Another key focus was new product development. I collaborated with the sales team and our suppliers to identify opportunities in global markets, especially for products like palm jaggery, spice blends, and ready-to-eat items. We tested different flavours and adjusted ingredients to suit the tastes of international buyers, without losing the authenticity of Indian cuisine.

During this time, I also handled onboarding of new suppliers, trained employees on hygiene and safety, and ensured compliance with all export and food regulations. This role taught me how to manage people, products, and processes at the same time—and deepened my confidence in building something of my own in the future.

SUMAN FOOD PRODUCT- COIMBATORE- INDIA

Quality & Production Manager
May 2020 – May 2022

As Quality and Production Manager, I was responsible for making sure that our food products met company standards, government regulations, and most importantly, customer expectations. I managed multiple warehouse units where our products were packed and stored before export.

My daily work involved close coordination with supervisors to ensure that production was on schedule and that the final output maintained consistency in taste, freshness, and appearance. I also monitored how raw materials were being used and worked to reduce waste, which helped control costs.

I frequently traveled between our warehouses to conduct quality inspections, monitor hygiene, and identify gaps in operations. By documenting and reviewing these processes regularly, I helped streamline our production system to make it more predictable and cost-efficient.

Another important part of my job was dealer coordination. I negotiated prices with our distributors to maintain strong business relationships while protecting our profit margins. This taught me how to balance quality with business needs—a skill I now apply in every project I lead.

SUMAN FOOD PRODUCT- COIMBATORE- INDIA

Quality Assurance Manager
May 2019 – May 2020

This role was my first full-time responsibility for leading quality assurance across the company’s production lines. I designed and implemented systems for checking raw materials, managing food safety during production, and ensuring that the final product met our standards for taste, texture, and shelf life.

I collaborated closely with production teams to troubleshoot issues, such as variations in spice blending, shelf stability problems, or packaging defects. These experiences helped me develop a sharper eye for detail and a deep understanding of both the science and art behind quality food products.

I also focused on documentation and regulatory compliance, ensuring that every product batch passed inspections under FSSAI guidelines and that all processes were recorded for audits. This not only improved our compliance but also boosted our credibility with large retailers and export partners.

SUMAN FOOD PRODUCT- COIMBATORE- INDIA

Assistant Quality Manager
May 2018 – May 2019

In this role, I gained hands-on experience in the day-to-day challenges of running a food production unit. I was in charge of procuring materials like jaggery, grains, and spices from trusted vendors, ensuring that every delivery matched the quality we promised.

I also worked closely with the logistics team to manage stock levels and plan ahead for large orders. By maintaining accurate inventory data and tracking supplier schedules, I helped reduce delays in production and kept operations running smoothly.

I coordinated workforce planning, allocating skilled workers across shifts based on order urgency and production needs. This experience gave me an early understanding of people management and the importance of flexibility in day-to-day operations.

SUMAN FOOD PRODUCT- COIMBATORE- INDIA

Intern – Assistant, Quality Department
June 2017 – April 2018

This was the role that introduced me to the food industry—and changed my life. As an intern in the quality department of Suman Food Products, I had the opportunity to work on product inspection, taste testing, hygiene control, and packaging analysis.

I was amazed at how many steps were involved before a food item could reach a customer—and how much attention was needed to maintain trust and safety. I also learned about the challenges small manufacturers face, from sourcing raw ingredients to meeting export standards. These early lessons inspired me to dive deeper into this industry and eventually become a full-time contributor.

General Manager – Warehouse & ExportMay 2022 – August 2024

SUMAN FOOD PRODUCT- COIMBATORE- INDIA

SUMAN FOOD PRODUCT- COIMBATORE- INDIA

SUMAN FOOD PRODUCT- COIMBATORE- INDIA

General Manager – Warehouse & Export
May 2022 – August 2024