Pradeep Poddar

Chairman of the Board @ Tasty Bite Eatables Ltd

About

A business leader with expertise in consumer strategy & marketing - Pradeep has a demonstrated history of exceptional performance and in innovation and brand creation. After Chemical Engineering from UDCT and his MBA from IIM-Ahmedabad Pradeep started his career with Glaxo before rising up the ranks to the head of Sales & Marketing of their foods division. He was then appointed as the first MD & CEO of Heinz in South Asia where he lead and established the business over 10 years. During his transformative time at Heinz - Pradeep built a portfolio of 5 power brands (Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Complan, Glucon-D, Farex & Nycil) and positioned Heinz as a leading food company in India. Post Heinz, Pradeep joined the Tata Group to head their foray into the Water & Functional Beverages business. In addition to re-launching Himalayan in India he represented the Tata Group's interests globally in developing a range of futuristic beverage products centered on wellness and nutrition. Following his retirement from the Tata Group in 2016, Pradeep has been advising several business leaders and companies on growth strategy, branding & corporate governance. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board at Tasty Bites (a Mars subsidiary) and United Way Mumbai. Additionally, he is an independent Director & strategic advisor to the Welspun Group, and UFlex.

Country

India

City

Mumbai

Industry

Food & Beverages

Skill

Key Performance Indicators, Constructive Feedback, Pre-IPO, Stakeholder Engagement, Presentation Skills, Business Management, Talent Management, Board Development, C-Level Relationships, Brand Strategy, Marketing, Teamwork, Communication, Strategic Thinking, C-Level, Team Leadership, Branding, Strategy, Business Planning, Management

Experience

Chairman of the Board

Tasty Bite Eatables Ltd

2022-12 - Present · 3 yrs 10 mos

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Tasty Bite (a Mars Affiliate) is a leading B2B natural foods business operating across the US and India.

Member Board Of Directors

Welspun World

2016-9 - Present · 10 yrs 1 mo

Mumbai Area, India

Welspun is a global leader in textiles and home linen. I have been advising the CEO and management on brand strategy, value creation and corporate governance. We have successfully restaged the flagship 'Spaces' home linen brand in India.

Chairman Of The Board Of Trustees

United Way Mumbai

2021-6 - Present · 5 yrs 4 mos

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Member Board Of Trustees

United Way Mumbai

2008-10 - 2022-3 · 13 yrs 6 mos

Mumbai Area, India

United Way aims at bringing NGOs, companies and government agencies together to work towards improving community conditions. It is one of the world's leading non-profit socially oriented organisations with over 1800 local communities. As a trustee, I have been working with the Mumbai chapter to maximize impact and growth.

Member Board Of Directors

UFLEX Group

2017-5 - Present · 9 yrs 5 mos

New Delhi Area, India

UFLEX is a leader in flexible packaging. As an independent director I advise the board and management on corporate governance & growth strategy. As of May 2022, I have joined the UFlex Foods board to advise on them their foods business.

Chairman Of The Board Of Directors

Sresta Natural Bioproducts Private Limited

2021-12 - 2023-9 · 1 yr 10 mos

India

'24 Mantra' is the brand under which they are marketing a range of Organic foods in India and USA .

Member Board Of Directors

Polycab India Limited

2018-9 - 2023-9 · 5 yrs 1 mo

Mumbai Area, India

Polycab is $1 Bn+ company and a market leader in cables and wires. The company has a successful IPO in April 2019. As a member of the board of directors & audit committee, I am helping bring in corporate governance and advising the leadership on marketing.

Member Board Of Directors

Monsanto Company

2006-1 - 2019-9 · 13 yrs 9 mos

India

Monsanto is a global leader in agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology. I was originally brought on to the board by Hugh Grant (global chairman) to help transform the Indian business from a chemicals focus to seeds & biotechnology. In addition to being an independent director I serve as the Chairman of the Audit Committe & advise the management on strategic growth in the subcontinent. Monsanto continues to be a highly profitable, growth oriented conversation.

Executive Board Member

NourishCo Beverages Limited

2010 - 2016-5 · 6 yrs

India

NourishCo is a JV between the Tata Group & Pepsi Co for water & healthy beverages in Asia. I spearheaded the formation of this joint venture and represented the Tata Group on the board.

Global President - Water and Functional Beverages

Tata Consumer Products

2007 - 2016-5 · 9 yrs

Mumbai Area, India

Joined the Tata Group at the behest of Mr. Ratan Tata to lead their foray into water and functional beverages. We successfully created the Himalayan Brand in India as a premium natural mineral water brand. Crafted the vision and successfully created a pathbreaking portfolio of futuristic products based on wellness including Tata Water Plus and Tata Life in India. Globally, the outsourced Organisation created out of North America and Europe has enabled an enviable trajectory of Innovation and incubation with 6 global patents.

Member Board Of Directors

ACTIVATE Drinks

2011 - 2015 · 4 yrs

Greater Los Angeles Area

Lead the Tata Group's investment in Michael Eisner (former DIsney CEO)'s startup in the fortified beverages space. Re-crafted product portfolio and brand strategy whilst representing the Tata Group's interests on the board.