Gulf Oil Lubricants India (GOLIL) has roped in Abhijit Kulkarni for the role of chief commercial officer (CCO).
A Bachelor of Engineering from Government College of Engineering, Pune, and an alumnus of Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Kulkarni moves from Unilever, where he spent well over 16 years.
Backed by about 27 years of experience, Kulkarni has worked with several top multinationals during his career.
He started off with The Coca-Cola Company as production executive, in 1999. Two years later, he moved to Castrol India, as area sales manager. Three years into this role, in October 2006, he was elevated to brand manager, motorcycle oils.
Abhijit Kulkarni’s association with Unilever began in March 2008, when he joined the company as senior brand manager, water, handling the brand development (BD) for Pureit, Hindustan Unilever’s water purifier brand. April of 2011 saw him elevated to the role of marketing manager, ice cream, India. Less than four years into this role, he was promoted to regional marketing director, ice creams, South Asia. In September 2016 came another promotion that made him director-ice cream (business head) and board member, Unilever Thailand. Three years into working out of Bangkok, Kulkarni was promoted yet again. This time, he was given the role of director-foods and refreshment, Unilever Thailand. The next promotion in 2020 made him director-ice cream, Unilever Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia-Laos, and board member, Unilever Thailand. In August 2021, he became general manager (director), hair and oral care, Unilever Thailand. By July of 2022, he was the cluster general manager and innovation head, SEA, Unilever Ice Cream.
In his new assignment at Gulf Oil, Kulkarni will oversee the lubricants company’s B2C and B2B business segments (excluding OEM), synergy and marketing. He will report directly to Ravi Chawla, managing director and CEO, Gulf Oil Lubricants India.
Chawla is relying on Kulkarni’s “extensive leadership experience and proven track record in delivering accelerated business growth by driving brand, sales & marketing initiatives, and contributing to the strategic agenda.”
He is sure that Kulkarni “will bring fresh energy into our B2C and B2B profitable growth trajectory as we continue to expand our market shares.”
Kulkarni feels that Gulf Oil “is an aspirational brand and its strong legacy and brand presence offer a unique opportunity to contribute to the company’s growth story.” He looks forward “to working with the passionate team at Gulf Oil to deliver value to our customers, partners and stakeholders.”
HRKatha is confident that Abhijit Kulkarni’s expertise in strategic marketing, brand development, sales, and general management will stand him in good stead in his new role.
