From diapers to data, fried chicken to footwear — the incredible journey of Sandeep Kataria, the man who made consumer love his constant currency.
What made Sandeep Kataria, Global CEO of Bata Corporation, move from one organisation to another?
And what’s common between:
• Selling Diapers & Toothpaste at Unilever
• Marketing & Running KFC & Pizza Hut
• Heading the Consumer Business at Vodafone
• Leading one of the World’s top Footwear Companies
The answer? Well… that’s a secret you’ll have to uncover yourself in his own words at his SOLOx Talk at IFF!
The Resignation Heard Around the Shoe World
The news is out.
Sandeep Kataria, the man who took India’s favourite shoe brand global, has decided to hang up his corporate boots. After steering Bata Corporation as its first-ever Indian global CEO, Kataria has officially stepped down.
But fret not — ever the responsible leader, he’s sticking around for six more months to ensure a smooth handover. The Switzerland-based company is already busy charting its next move.
Diapers, Toothpaste & Chicken Buckets: The Curious Career Track
Before becoming the face of Bata, Kataria was already walking some pretty interesting roads:
- Unilever— where he sold diapers, toothpaste and personal care products for 17+ years, climbing through sales, marketing, and global roles.
• Yum! Brands (KFC, Pizza Hut) — where he shifted from FMCG to fast food, marketing Colonel Sanders and deep-dish pizzas.
• Vodafone India — where he jumped industries again, this time selling data packs, mobile connections, and “SuperNets.”
One might ask — was he collecting industries like stamps?
Well, the real answer (spoiler alert) lies in that SOLOx Talk.
But if you observe closely — he wasn’t changing industries; he was always following consumers.
Enter Bata India: From Leather to Leadership
In August 2017, Sandeep took charge of Bata India — and turned its slow, steady walk into a power stride:
- Revenue grew from₹2,636 cr to₹3,053 cr in 3 years
• Net profit jumped 46% to ₹327 cr
• Footwear volume grew consistently in double digits
He introduced campaigns like “Surprisingly Bata” that dusted off Bata’s old-school image and made it aspirational for millennials and tweens.
Memory foam insoles, store redesigns, home delivery, e-commerce, even pedicure chairs — he made buying shoes cool again.
The Global Leap: Bata Corporation CEO
Then came the ultimate step in 2020 — becoming Global CEO of Bata Corporation.
The first Indian to ever head the 131-year-old Swiss footwear giant.
Under his global watch:
- Bata operated 5,800+ stores in 70 countries
• Produced 180 million pairs of shoes annually
• Employed 35,000 people worldwide
• Expanded its iconic brands: Bata, Power, Hush Puppies, North Star, Marie Claire, and more.
His Footsteps Were Always Consumer-First
Whether it was baby products, fried chicken, mobile networks or footwear — Kataria’s superpower wasn’t the product; it was the people.
He built businesses not around the item sold, but around the person buying it.
He studied their habits, triggers, lifestyles — and then reshaped brands to fit those lives.
The Secret Sauce? A Sharp Mind Meets Curiosity
So how did Sandeep Kataria pull off this masterclass in career versatility?
The foundation was laid long before the boardrooms:
- IIT Delhitaught him structured problem-solving, data-driven thinking, and analytical rigor.
• XLRI Jamshedpur sharpened his business acumen — and he didn’t just graduate, he walked out as a Gold Medallist, already wired for leadership.
Armed with a powerful mix of logic, curiosity, and empathy for consumers, Sandeep didn’t just change industries — he decoded them.
The Final Lap — But Not The End
As Kataria signs off after 5 impactful years at Bata Corporation, his story remains a case study in reinvention, agility, and customer obsession.
Few can say they’ve sold both toothpaste and stilettos, burgers and broadband, sneakers and sandals — and excelled at all.
For now, the shoes may change. But don’t be surprised if the man wearing them pops up in yet another industry, starting yet another adventure.
P.S.: Curious how he pulled it off?
👉 Don’t forget to watch his SOLOx Talk — Click here
