Jitendra Bagga Leaves Zepto Amid Relocation and Leadership Transitions

Zepto VP Jitendra Bagga Resigns After Nine-Month Stint

Jitendra Bagga, Vice President of Central Operations at Zepto, has stepped down from his role after a brief tenure of nine months. Bagga, who joined the quick commerce startup in April 2024, oversaw mother hubs and line haul projects in the warehousing division during his time at the company.

A Brief but Impactful Tenure

During Bagga’s stint, Zepto made significant strides in its operations:

• Expansion of Dark Store Network:
  • The startup grew its dark store presence from 300 locations to over 750.
• Operational Enhancements:
  • Bagga contributed to improving central warehousing and logistics capabilities.

Bagga’s departure reportedly aligns with Zepto’s ongoing shift of its operational base from Mumbai to Bengaluru, a decision that may have influenced his resignation.

Bagga’s Career Journey

Before Zepto, Bagga built a robust career in logistics and distribution:

1. Raymond Limited (2019-2022):
   • Headed distribution and logistics for three years.
2. Reliance Retail (1997-2021):
   • Spent 24 years at the conglomerate, handling several critical roles:
     • 2019-2021: Led JioMart projects and operations centers.
     • 2015-2019: Managed distribution and logistics for Reliance Digital Limited.
     • Oversaw distribution for brands like Marks & Spencer and Vision Express.

Wave of Senior Departures at Zepto

Bagga’s exit adds to the growing list of senior leadership changes at Zepto in 2024:

1. CHRO Martin Dinesh Gomez:
   • Departed in October 2024, less than a year after joining.
   • His responsibilities were taken over by Chandan Mendiratta, initially appointed as Chief Brand Officer, now serving as Chief Culture Officer.
2. VP of Growth and Retention, Manik Oberoi:
   • Left earlier this year.
3. Chief Business Officer, Viral Jhaveri:
   • Exited in June 2024 after a two-and-a-half-year tenure.
4. Senior VP of Finance, Ashish Shah:
   • Resigned earlier in 2024.

Zepto’s Rapid Growth Amidst Transitions

Despite the leadership churn, Zepto has experienced tremendous growth and operational success:

1. Fundraising Milestones:
   • Raised $350 million in November 2024.
   • Secured earlier rounds of $340 million in August and $665 million in June, achieving a valuation of $5 billion.
2. Operational Achievements:
   • Reported gross merchandise value (GMV) exceeding $1 billion in FY24.
   • By May 2024, 75% of its dark stores reached EBITDA positivity.
3. IPO Plans:
   • The company aims for a public listing within the next two years, shifting its base to India to streamline operations.

Reasons Behind Bagga’s Exit

Sources suggest that Bagga’s decision was influenced by Zepto’s relocation to Bengaluru from Mumbai. The company is reportedly considering filling his role internally, as it prioritizes limiting external hiring to manage costs effectively.

Jitendra Bagga’s exit reflects ongoing adjustments at Zepto as it navigates rapid growth, operational challenges, and leadership changes. While his contributions to Zepto’s logistics and warehousing operations were notable, the company remains focused on scaling its quick commerce model and achieving its ambitious IPO plans. With significant funding, operational successes, and strategic shifts, Zepto is poised to remain a key player in the competitive quick commerce industry.