Hello, I'm

Abhinav Kishore (AK)

Product Manager

Problem Solver

Design Thinker

Advanced Analytics

Leader

Get To Know

About Me

Product Management, Business Analytics, and Tech Consulting Professional with over 10 years of professional experience in end-to-end technical product development, and cross-functional team leadership to enable data-driven solutions for multiple Fortune 500 companies. As Senior Product manager, I have worked across geographies and led a cross-functional and multicultural team of Indians, Americans, Chinese, British, Japanese, and Singaporeans.

Even as I have created significant economic value and shareholder gains through my professional application with product management and data sciences, my heart has always remained set on being a positive influence on society for the upliftment of vulnerable groups. Therefore, apart from my regular professional work, I was also committed as the Campaign Director for Men 4 Menstruation campaign, and led India’s biggest menstruation awareness and hygiene focused male movement to fight ‘Period Poverty.’ I have since co-founded the NPO Motive8 Trust, which focuses on eight key improvement areas, namely education, sanitation, nutrition, health, sustainable agriculture, menstrual hygiene management, community welfare, and human trafficking.

I am recognized for product management skills, accountability, business development strategy, advanced analytics, team player, clarity in thought, attention to detail, and end-to-end execution.

Experience

10+ Years Working

Projects

50+ Completed

Clients

100+ Worldwide

To live the life you deserve, plan your goals around what you are genuinely passionate about. 

– Abhinav Kishore (AK)

MY SKILLS

Product Development and Management
Cross-functional and Cross-cultural Comfort
Collaborative Leadership
Learning Ability and Analytical Mindset
Optimistic and Perseverance
Problem Solving and Logical Thinking
Communication and Prioritizing
SQL
Tableau
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Software as a Service (SaaS)
R & Python
GitHub
Jira
MS Office

MY TIMELINE

September 2021 - Present
Graduate Teaching Assistant - University of California Davis, Davis, California

  • Teaching a class of 100+ Master of Business Analytics’ students: <ul style="margin-left: 20px;padding-left: 0px;"
  • Machine Learning – BAX 452
  • Information, Insight and Impact – BAX 401
  • Data Visualization – BAX – 431
  • Implementing Machine Learning on the Cloud – BAX - 493
  • Data Design & Representation – BAX - 422

December 2019 – Present
Co-Founder and Mentor - Motive8 Trust

  • Working in the space of sexual and reproductive health, early childcare, elementary education, nutrition, digital awareness, sustainable agriculture, and adoption of solar energy; 10,000+ Students and 3000+ Farmers directly benefitted.
  • Key Impact: <ul style="margin-left: 20px;padding-left: 0px;"
  • Installed 317 Solar pumps under sustainable irrigation initiative.
  • Built 2 Model Labor Rooms to enhance maternal and neonate physical health.
  • Designed prototype for pediatric ICU and implemented in two districts.
  • Established 113 MHM (Menstrual Hygiene Management) Libraries.
  • Transformed 60 Schools under Operation Whiteboard.

June 2022 – September 2022
Product Management, Summer Intern - Five9, San Ramon, California

  • Worked with product management, engineering, and architecture teams to modernize UI localization tools and processes to improve SLA by 200% and reduce localization costs by 30%.
  • Created customer journey orchestration algorithm in CCaaS framework for next best experience and real-time measurement of customer effort score through multi-channel data stitching to implement advanced call routing strategies & workforce allocation in contact centers.
  • Streamlined and structured Beta testing process for customer recruitment, feedback management & reporting, and feature prioritization.

March 2020 – August 2021
Senior Analytics Product Manager - Mu Sigma, Bengaluru, India

  • Transformed an assortment product for a $15B omnichannel business; increased revenue by 2%, customers by 5%, and item productivity by 15%.
  • Designed GTM strategy to monetize data of 20M+ consumers; launched premium consumer insight feature for brands; increased spend by $2M.
  • Managed a team of 25+ concurrently for a portfolio of Retail, E-commerce, and FMCG clients for technical and analytical product development.
  • Produced sustainable revenue growth for my managed accounts over the years [2020: +15% YoY on $15M, 2019: +20% YoY on $5M].
  • Trained and Mentored 500+ employees across topics such as Analytical Roadmap creation, Art of Problem Solving, Product Management, Statistical Techniques, and communication with Fortune-500 leaders as a Mentor for Mu Sigma University.

March 2018 – February 2020
Product Manager (Analytics Products) - Mu Sigma, Shenzhen, China

  • Product owner of data-intelligent virtual layout (3D) that enabled the merchandising team of 400 users to virtually take assortment and product placement decisions across 300+ categories for 400 retail stores resulting in savings of ~50K man-hours and ~$800K rental space per year.
  • Led a cross-functional global team of 20 analysts, developers, engineers and launched Mu Sigma Shenzhen delivery center [5M recurring revenue].
  • Hired and trained 15 data scientists & software engineers to build a strong regional foundation in China and increased the revenue by 200% YoY.
  • Launched an MVP in 4 months for an HR Analytics product for an organization with ~100K employees boosting quarterly compliance by 5%.

October 2017 – February 2018
Onsite Lead (Fast-track promotion offered to 1% of candidates) - Mu Sigma, Shenzhen, China

  • Product owner of a Customer Relationship and Lifecycle Management platform that increased customer retention by 2%
  • Improved purchase cycle by 4 days and revenue by ~$50M through a personalization, recommendation, and measurement engine.
  • Directed a 10-member product team to report centralization of automated reports (cover 95% of organizational needs) saving ~3K man-hours.
  • Secured $1.5M funding from technology leadership by presenting a product roadmap and novel solution to hyper-personalized marketing.
  • Assessed user needs and defined problems to create strategic solutions to increase product adoption as a Founding Member of Mu Sigma China.

July 2014 – September 2017
Data Scientist - Mu Sigma, Bengaluru, India

  • Conceptualized and implemented a store launch framework that generated $15M in additional annual revenue and 300K new customers.
  • Automated a platform to report KPIs (adoption, engagement, retention, satisfaction & activity monitoring) for a retailer with 100M+ consumers.
  • Implemented Data Science & Engineering solutions to strengthen marketing attribution models; led to a 15% increase in Return on Ad Spends.
  • Developed AI/ML algorithms to extract features from 1.5M images, analyzed engagement data of 20M+ consumers to derive insights.

February 2011 – June 2014
Co-Founder & COO - Mech Junction, Vellore, India

  • Led skill development organizations in mechanical engineering, technologies, and management sciences across India.
  • Throughout the four years of its existence, Mech Junction trained over ten thousand students through multiple tech events, internship & training programs, workshops, and seminars.

Past Work - Accomplishments

Get to Know what all I am doing @ UC Davis

MY PASSION

TESTIMONIALS

Ben Hassing
Chief Executive, Ecommerce, Coles – May 2020 – Present
SVP, eCommerce & Technology Walmart – Jul 2003 – Apr 2020

AK worked as the account manager for the strategic partnership between Walmart and Mu Sigma across multiple digital transformation initiatives. He consistently went above and beyond to ensure we maximized value out of our work, whether building innovative products or presenting findings to senior stakeholders. What stood out most about AK was his ability to balance his technical expertise with a solid understanding of business fundamentals. His analytical mindset, product development skills, collaborative approach, and high work ethic make him a valuable addition to any team and organization.

Rao Unnava
Dean, Graduate School of Management, University of California at Davis, Jun 2016 – Present

Abhinav appears to leave his mark wherever he goes. While his professional capabilities are easy to see and attest to, it is easy to overlook his generosity. Abhinav is relentless in achievement, but is equally passionate about assisting others in succeeding. His selfless, giving nature has benefited countless individuals that crossed his path. He exemplifies the collaborative leadership spirit we desire of all our graduates.

Jordan Berke
Founder, CEO, Tomorrow Retail Consulting – Apr 2019 – Present
Head of China eCommerce and Digital Innovation, Chairperson Walmart Global Omnichannel Forum – Oct 2005 – Mar 2019

AK was a key part of our digital transformation at Walmart China. He led the onsite team for Mu Sigma as we established Walmart’s customer engagement platform and deployed AI within to optimize merchandise assortments for online channels. He’s a tremendous talent – very bright, quick to identify the source of problems, and very strong at communicating across the organization. Our team grew from having AK on board and I would recommend him strongly for a business looking to deploy innovation and technology to accelerate growth.

Stephen Feinberg
Global Strategy Director, GE Digital – March 2022 – Present

AK led an aviation consulting project for me.  Throughout our 10 weeks together, he was organized, diligent, and professional.  He kept his team focused on the key deliverables and concluded with a fantastic report out at the end of the assignment.

I look forward to working with AK again in the future!

Ben Juteau
Sr. Director, Technology Strategy, Walmart US – March 2014 – Present

AK was key to building a successful relationship with Walmart China for the creation of several products, analyses, and insights that were instrumental in driving business results.

He’s an asset to any team due to his close partnership and keen attention to detail.

Ashwin Aravindakshan
Associate Professor; Academic Director, MS Business Analytics, GSM, Univ of California-Davis – July 2007 – Present

I have worked with Abhinav for well over a year. During this time, I have seen Abhinav show great initiative when dealing with multiple issues under a variety of circumstances. As a student, Abhinav is amongst the best we have. He has always excelled in his coursework and goes well above and beyond to ensure that the work completed is of the highest quality. As a teaching assistant, Abhinav is the best I have ever had. He excelled at not only creating and delivering assessments, but also spent a lot of time ensuring that students learn the material in his one-on-one sessions with them. His ability to problem-solve difficult situations, and create solutions that are implementable is second to none. Abhinav is intelligent, sincere, focused, a good communicator, and a pleasure to know and work with. I happily give him my strongest recommendation!

Zhiyu Chen
Deputy CEO, Metro China; Board Director, Dmall – March 2021 – Present
SVP, Chief Marketing Officer, Walmart China – July 2017 – Aug 2020

Great initiative, dedication, and a good follow-up to the conclusion of the project. Abhinav has been instrumental in the continuing partnership between Walmart and Mu Sigma. His ability to identify business opportunities, create solutions, and manage project implementation is impressive.

Highly recommended!

Chris Ziemba
Managing Director, EY – April 2012 – Present

AK served as the Project Lead for an Aviation Industry Company looking to promote / sell their Digital Sustainability Products. As team lead, he worked alongside the client stakeholder to derive the scope which included a market segmentation, buyer personas, a product fit / competitive analysis and positioning statements. He facilitated weekly executive meetings, managed the project team and successfully delivered the engagement on time. AK knows how to identify an issue early on and is able to gather the necessary resources to solve quickly. He is proactive, intelligent, and a resource I’d want to deploy to any critical engagement.

It was a pleasure working with AK.

Ashish Kumar
General Manager, Product and Sales Strategy, Vivo India – July 2020 – Present
PMO and Digitalization Lead, Walmart China – Jan 2017 – July 2020

Abhinav personifies industriousness of the highest order. His ownership-taking ability is second to none. During my engagement with Abhinav while at Walmart, I have seen Abhinav drive discussions with all relevant CXOs for decision-making and front-line business users to understand and define business needs.

I am deeply impressed with Abhinav’s problem-solving ability, from conceptualizing a problem statement from an ambiguous business situation to deploying analytics and experience to develop definite directions. Given a chance, Abhinav will be my top choice for any product development and execution work.

Cities I explored and learned from

Bengaluru, India

Cosmopolitan and progressive city and recognized as Silicon Valley of India.

My Lesson:

The importance that people place on education and moral values helps in shaping individuals who are highly motivated and sensitive at the same time. Blending the elements of traditional & modern lifestyle and value is essential for success.

Chengdu, China

A relaxing city with a great heritage of culture. It makes me realize the importance of work-life harmony.

Chennai, India

Ancient temples, vibrant arts, natural wonders and a bustling culinary scene make Chennai one of the most popular tourist destinations in the southern India. This city teaches you is to be grounded and civil.

Davis, California, USA

A small, beautiful college town where my next phase of life started.

My Lesson:

I gained the skills needed to become an industry leader and the friendship that will last for a lifetime.

Guangzhou, China

A famous historical city with regional characteristics. Being a pioneer in trade and revolution requires wisdom and encouragement.

Hong Kong

A very fast-paced city where everyone works hard.

My Lesson:

Hong Kong teaches me that if you want to live the life you desire, you must fight for it and never give up.

Jamshedpur, India

Jamshedpur or Tatanagar is the largest city in Jharkhand and the first planned industrial city in India. It was founded by Jamsetji Tata, founder of the Tata Group. How we use your mind is in our power.

Kolkata, India

Kolkata is a city of colonial architecture, museums, art galleries, traditional food, temples, music and theatre. It is an amalgamation of traditional and modern. Lasting change in life starts with daily habits.

Kota, India

Situated on the banks of the Chambal River, the city of Kota is an educational city.

My Lesson:

Peer pressure is a test of your will. A Strong will is essential for success.

Los Angeles, California, USA

A place for bold dreams, creative expression and limitless possibilities, Los Angeles is a city defined by its people. Hollywood stars, the TV & movie industries, and gorgeous beaches all make LA a famous city and a popular vacation spot. Ask for 100% of what you want from 100% of people 100% of the time.

Macau

The gambling industry is Macau’s mainstay industry, and the economy of Macau is admirable. This enlightens me that if you can do one thing exceptionally well, you can also outlive and beat others.

New Delhi, India

New Delhi is the capital of India. Delhi has been the center of a succession of mighty empires and powerful kingdoms. 

My Lesson:

Anything ever worth achieving does not come easy. Hard work is the key to everything.

Patna, India

One of the oldest living cities in the world, Patna, the capital of Bihar, stands on the banks of River Ganges. An epicenter for various religions, the city was the stronghold of several dynasties, and thus boasts a treasure trove of culture and traditions. Anybody who sets out to make a big impact or go against the grain will receive some level of hate.

 

Sacramento, California, USA

Sacramento is the capital of California.  Sacramento is known for its rich agriculture and vibrant history and referred as America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital. Connections are the key to happiness.

San Francisco, California, USA

San Francisco is often called “Everybody’s Favorite City,” a title earned by its scenic beauty, cultural attractions, diverse communities, and world-class cuisine.

My Lesson:

You don’t have to follow the crowd just because it seems sensible.

San Ramon, California, USA

The City of San Ramon was incorporated in 1983 and is located in the San Ramon Valley of Contra Costa County, approximately 35 miles east of San Francisco in the San Francisco Bay Area. Never give up on what you believe is possible.

Shanghai, China

An international metropolis with openness and focus on development.

My Lesson:

Embracing challenges and never feeling complacent make us unbeatable and help maintain the leading momentum.

Shenzhen, China

The favorite city of China’s ambitious younger generations. The inclusiveness makes it a home for people all over China.

My Lesson:

Being open-minded and creative will boost our growth and surpass others sooner.

Singapore

Singapore, a tropical island in South-east Asia, is a global financial center. Singapore is also known as “Instant Asia” because it offers visitors a quick glimpse of the Asian cultures that immigrants have brought from all parts of the continent.

My Lesson:

Creating something you are truly proud of takes time. Your vision always has the potential to become a reality.

Vellore, India

Popularly known as the Fort City of Tamil Nadu, Vellore has a splendid past with a harmonious fusion of rich culture and heritage. It is an important scientific and educational center of the region.

My Lesson:

It’s better to act and be embarrassed for five minutes than not to act and be embarrassed for the rest of your life.

DOWNLOADS

Abhinav Kishore (AK)