Snapdeal has hired 250 MBA graduates this year as the Indian e-commerce darling seeks to double its 5,000-strong workforce.The ambitions hiring plan underscores the booming jobs market in online retail, spearheaded by e-commerce giants such as Amazon and Alibaba.
Saurabh Nigam, vice-president at Snapdeal, said that the company is seeking MBA-qualified talent to fill non-technical positions across sales and marketing, strategy, category management, supply chain and product management.
Snapdeal, one of India’s largest e-commerce groups, recently valued at $5 billion, launched a structured hiring plan for business schools for the first time this year.
Saurabh told the Economic Times that the company hires MBA graduates from across business schools including the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management, MDI Gurgaon, SP Jain, and the Indian School of Business.
“There is a sea of talent in our country and we are not restricted to just premier MBA institutes to fuel our growth as an organization,” he added.
The company plans to develop an extensive campus engagement plan this year.
Career opportunity in e-commerce abounds across India, as global internet companies are lured by the rapid proliferation of low-cost smartphones, and the country’s young, tech-savvy population.
India’s online market is worth $2.3 billion — just a fraction of total retail sales — but this is forecast to surge to more than $30 billion by 2020, according to Technopak, a consultancy. Morgan Stanley says the Indian internet market could reach $137 billion by 2020.
Snapdeal is competing for talent with Flipkart, a local rival valued at $11 billion, which is hiring for technology and leadership roles, and Amazon, which is investing $2 billion in India.
Amazon expects to place MBA hires in operations, consumer business, HR and finance. The company has also been recruiting experienced people from FMCG — fast moving consumer goods — offline retail, and logistics backgrounds. Its employee base in India grew by 48% last year compared with 2013.
Amazon’s push is part of a wider global ramp up in recruitment of more senior hires such as MBAs. Amazon is a top-three recruiter at a number of leading business schools across Europe and the US, including HEC Paris, Michigan Ross, and London Business School.
Washington’s Georgetown McDonough School has seen strong demand for MBA hiring from Amazon, said Angela Williams, associate director of the MBA Career Center. There have been full-time job and internship offers in marketing, finance, operations and product management, for markets in the US, China and Japan.
Deb Findlay, a recruitment lead at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, said there is a growing trend of e-commerce companies recruiting MBA students.
“E-commerce companies often look for people who are highly analytical, commercially savvy and who are able to make strategic decisions from large volumes of data — attributes common to many MBAs,” she said.
“We are seeing an upswing in demand for MBAs from the retail sector,” said Paula Quinton-jones, director of career services at Hult International Business School London, and the popularity of e-commerce groups like Amazon among MBAs is increasing.
Conrad Chua, head of MBA careers at Cambridge Judge Business School, said that MBA jobs in retail are centred on logistics, customer insights, and third-party partnerships — “a reflection of the changes that technology is bringing” to the industry.
In May, Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba launched a recruitment program that targets MBA students from the top global businesses schools.
Paytm, an Indian mobile payments platform, recently said it plans to double its headcount in 2016.
Student Reviews
Georgetown: McDonough School of Business
GWU - excellent investment for future
George Washington University is a good respected institution with strong programs in various studies, including project management, international affairs, politics, medicine and etc. The university provides students with good opportunities for internships and networking.
GWU has a diverse student body and a reputation for academic excellence.
Safety on campus
I have had an amazing experience at Georgetown University. The classes are enjoyable, the professors are exceptional, and I feel like I am receiving a worthwhile education. The people and faculty at this institution are extraordinary, and I have discovered my true self while being here. Additionally, I always feel secure on campus, as it is the safest place in town.
Georgetown is on top!
I've been enjoying this school so far. I wouldn't alter it, despite the fact that the school is on a hill and that it requires a lot of walking to get around it. For minority and first-generation students, there are a ton of services available. Even though the usual dorm rooms are modest, there is still plenty of area for storage. We have a ton of alternatives every day in the dining halls since they provide so many different dishes from so many different cultures
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Georgetown is my second home. The pre-professional counselors are incredibly helpful, and I feel supported and inspired to pursue my aspirations. We are certainly ranked as the top research university in the nation. They place a high priority on the development of the students as well as their physical and mental well-being.
Wonderful university
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Academics
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Fantastic university
Georgetown university is a Fantastic university. The professors are outstanding, there are lots of ways to participate in campus life, and there are numerous groups and organizations where students can get involved. The campus is lovely and always kept clean, and there are people are willing to assist you 24 hours a day whenever you need help.
Review of Georgetown university
Being at Georgetown university has been one of my best experiences. The Professors are knowledgeable, approachable, and very helpful. You will fall in love with Georgetown because of its daily activities, the vibrant students you will encounter, the food served on campus, and the lush surroundings. The housing and dorms are fantastic. There is no better place than Georgetown University if you’re looking to study, discover new things, make lifelong friends, and have fun!
Academically challenging institution
Georgetown University is certainly an academically challenging institution, however, if you ask for assistance when you need it, the workload can be managed. Students are happy to assist one another, and most Professor want you to succeed. Student life is vibrant, the location is excellent and everyone here is friendly and welcoming.
4 Years as an Expat at Georgetown University
Georgetown University provided an exceptional environment for my academic journey as an expat from Italy. As someone who initially felt apprehensive about moving to a new country, Georgetown quickly alleviated my concerns and made my transition incredibly smooth.
One of the standout features of Georgetown is its diverse and welcoming community, particularly for international students. The campus is teeming with students from various corners of the globe, fostering a rich cultural tapestry that made me feel right at home. The vibrant campus life and numerous extracurricular activities offered ample opportunities to connect with fellow students, ensuring a well-rounded and fulfilling university experience.
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Initially enrolled in the College with a desire to major in Linguistics and minor in Art & Journalism, I appreciated the flexibility and openness of the Georgetown education system. After my freshman year, I discovered my true passion lay in Marketing and International Business. The university's seamless transfer process allowed me to transition to the McDonough Business School, where I found the perfect fit for my academic aspirations.
Georgetown's commitment to helping students explore and find their academic niche is indeed one of its most commendable qualities. The ability to explore various subjects before settling on a major is a testament to the university's dedication to fostering individual growth and success. The journey from Linguistics to Marketing & International Business exemplifies the beauty of a Georgetown education — a dynamic and supportive environment where students can discover and pursue their true passions.
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