RAJENDRAN (RAJ) SHUNMUGAM
Group CEO
Personal Profile of Rajendran (Raj) Shunmugam
Background:
I was born in Durban in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Married to Vanishree Shunmugam with two sons Tenayan and Deshayan.
I moved to Gauteng in 1999 and currently I reside in Irene, Pretoria.
Work Experience:
I joined the Glenmar group comprising of Glencarol Sock Industries and Martilon Textured Yarns in 1999.
I was fortunate to have been nominated for group human development by the then CEO Jeff Fleming which allowed me to work, initially, as the group Quality Engineer, then Factory Manager, Marketing Executive, and finally as General Manager.
Through strategic partnerships; Glencarol Pty Ltd was formed in 2007. It was at this time together with an investment Partner in O’Neills Irish International Sports Company of Dublin, we purchased the Group.
In 2008; I was appointed by the board of directors and shareholders to the position of Group CEO.
I have extensive experience in the field of operations management, operations design (including re-engineering and lean process management), and process optimization with one aim and that is to generate profitability and sustainability in; long term.
On the sales and marketing side, I am able to identify and tap market segments and create clearly defined marketing strategies that result in maximum profit potential in line with a balanced operational capability structure to meet such strategies.
On the Human Capital side, I am able to identify and develop key skills with the right fit, especially in key areas on business management and process management.
Qualifications:
I am a qualified Chemical Engineer graduating from the Durban University of Technology, with an MBA from the Business School of Netherlands.
Live Long Goals and Ambitions:
As a director and shareholder, my vision has always been to create a sustainable environment in textiles and production, which allows for collective participation by management and the employees. This has been a key driver in the transformation process of the company and I continue to invest in people and their development. As a rewarding process, we established an employee trust in 2007 to allow our employees to share in the business.
I am actively involved in football and its development amongst our youth, particularly the underprivileged youth of SA. I have strong roots in my community both in Pretoria and back home in Durban. I continuously strive to uplift society by providing support and leadership advice to those who need it.
I live by the motto “Be the change you want to see”