Manish Tiwary (Former Amazon India head)

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Overview

Manish Tiwary is a prominent business executive known for his significant role as the former head of Amazon India. He has been instrumental in driving Amazon's growth in India, a crucial market for the global e-commerce giant. Tiwary joined Amazon in 2016, where he rose through the ranks to become the country manager, overseeing consumer business operations in India. With a solid background in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, particularly gained during his two-decade-long career at Unilever, Tiwary is noted for his strategic insights and leadership capabilities. Currently, he has been nominated as the Managing Director of Nestlé India, effective August 1, 2025, succeeding Suresh Narayanan.

Recent Developments

  • October 2024: Manish Tiwary was officially nominated to become the Managing Director of Nestlé India, effective from August 1, 2025. This transition is part of Nestlé's succession planning as the current MD, Suresh Narayanan, is set to retire after a distinguished career at Nestlé.
  • August 2024: Tiwary resigned from his position at Amazon India, stepping down as the head of its operations after an impactful eight-year tenure. His resignation marked a significant shift in leadership at Amazon India, during which time he expressed a desire to pursue new opportunities.
  • September 2024: Samir Kumar, a veteran Amazon executive, was appointed to succeed Tiwary as the head of Amazon India operations, signaling continuity in leadership as the company navigates an intensely competitive Indian e-commerce landscape.
  • August 2024: Official announcements and several reports noted Tiwary's extensive contribution to Amazon India, highlighting how he managed to scale its operations significantly, helping Amazon surpass Flipkart in the competitive Indian e-commerce market.

Personal Information

AttributeInformation
Full NameManish Tiwary
Born[Date and Place unknown]
NationalityIndian
OccupationBusiness Executive
Known ForFormer Head of Amazon India
Net Worth[Unknown]
EducationMBA, IIM Bangalore

Early Life and Education

Manish Tiwary hails from a well-educated background, which set the foundation for his successful career in the business world. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Birla Institute of Technology and Science, (BIT) Mesra, followed by a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore. His academic journey equipped him with the analytical and leadership skills necessary for a career in management, which began at Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) where he gained extensive experience in sales, marketing, and general management. Over two decades at HUL, he held several key roles, which included managing director responsibilities in the Gulf region, overseeing operations in North Africa and the Middle East.

Career and Notable Achievements

  • Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL): Tiwary's career launched at HUL, where he spent around 19 years. He started as a brand manager and eventually became the Managing Director for HUL Gulf, overseeing operations in a complex market that spanned North Africa and the Middle East.
  • Amazon India: Tiwary joined Amazon in 2016 and contributed significantly to expanding its reach and optimising its marketplace. Under his leadership, Amazon India grew from 100 sellers to over 1.2 million, focusing on vernacular language support and launching innovative platforms like miniTV, a free ad-supported streaming service.
  • Transformational Leadership: At Amazon, he was pivotal in digitizing 6.2 million small and medium enterprises and facilitating nearly $8 billion in cumulative e-commerce exports.

Current Work and Impact

Recently stepping down from Amazon, Tiwary has been nominated to take over as the Managing Director of Nestlé India. His appointment is seen as a strategic move by Nestlé, looking to leverage his extensive experience in FMCG and his executive acumen honed during his tenure at Amazon. His transition to Nestlé signifies a new chapter where he is expected to drive growth and navigate challenges within the FMCG industry, echoing his past successes in transforming Amazon into a dominant market player.

Manish Tiwary Amazon

Manish Tiwary's tenure at Amazon India marked a transformative phase for the company. As the country manager, he spearheaded various strategic initiatives that helped Amazon establish itself as one of the most preferred marketplaces in India. His vision for digital transformation and inclusive growth has been key to Amazon India’s expansion, including efforts to drive technology adoption among new sellers and enhance customer experiences through innovative service offerings.

Conclusion

Manish Tiwary's leadership at Amazon India has not only expanded the company’s operational footprint but also significantly influenced the competitive dynamics of the Indian e-commerce market. His move to Nestlé India as the incoming Managing Director represents an exciting new phase in his career, promising to bring his extensive knowledge and strategic prowess to bear on challenges in the FMCG sector. This step underscores his role as a transformative leader capable of adapting to diverse business environments and pushing the boundaries of growth and innovation.

References

  1. Business Standard Article
  2. Economic Times Article
  3. Hindustan Times Article
  4. Live Mint Article
  5. New Indian Express Article
  6. Times of India