A Dynamic, Insightful and Intuitive Individual
Through and through a steel man having rich experience in the Iron & Steel value chain, Rahul Yenurkar’ s career spans over 30 years in manufacturing & developing long & flat products for a wide variety of applications ranging from automobile, engineering, construction, defence and Nuclear. A born optimistic with innovative business strategies rated as one of the best amongst the CXO community. Hailing from Nagpur City in Maharashtra, Rahul Yenurkar became an engineer, followed by an MBA earned from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management, Mumbai University. Currently, he is the Managing Director at Liberty Steel for one of their sites in Central Europe.
Ideating & executing his own strategy has set him apart from his peers for having a clear, long-term objectives to reach the desired future state he envisions to unlock value. He mentions “God has been kind enough to give me the ability to predict and anticipate changes within competitive landscapes”. This ability has helped businesses to leverage growth and strengthen their competitive position, also ensuring that the products/ services planned are built being unique, with clear differentiation. He ensures that the strategy remains competitive by creating a culture that is prepared to drive growth and deal with the unknown. This has resulted in businesses lowering the cost of the goods/services while remaining innovative, offering unique features and high-quality customer service. He has an unwavering focus and inherently takes the onus of responsibility given to him which he has converted to a habit.
Rahul explains that there is no ‘perfect’ work-life balance as it’s essential to do a job which he loves and cherishes, but he also prioritizes his health. He finds out time for himself and his loved ones, especially his two daughters who graduated in Europe and Canada. Time and distance were two great challenges to juggle, but Rahul was able to set his priorities reasonably correct to balance. He shares a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything else, and for him freedom, passion and not monetary consideration is the primary motivation!
Steelmaking has always been his driving passion to do his job and attain new highs. Steel is what defines him and drives him to push in all efforts to overcome obstacles that he faces. Rahul shares, “My management style and philosophy are simple- that is to strive and be ahead of my peers through cutting-edge technology and innovation by refining management strategies”. My innate desire is to keep learning, impacting, and changing constantly to bring smiles in people’s lives. I love to be touted as “the People’s man”. He is passionate and curious to be among them, listen to their problems and come up with solutions.
In a major assignment during the pandemic, Rahul was deputed to manage an Australian unit in Liberty Primary Steel-Whyalla, South Australia, which was making EBITDA losses of over 200 million $A/year. “It was a big challenge to offer anything substantial in those circumstances, in pandemic induced downturn. We created a protective bubble as no flights were allowed in South Australia, and we kept the plant commercially active and operational.” He helped convert this opportunity in their favor and, within four months, attained positive EBITDA with full-fledged production. This became an immense reason for happiness and well-being as it was a big boon to the local population.
The curiosity, that he possesses, means having the desire to continually learn and being passionate about the work and the company you lead. A person like Rahul, can inspire an entire workplace and make a real difference. He always asks others to strive and create a positive ambience at the workplace with dollops of fun & frolic elements, inspiring each one so that team effectiveness could heighten while optimal excellence could be delivered.
Rahul Yenurkar has some notable achievements, such as being accredited in the list of the top 200 COOs in India 2023, getting commendation from the City Mayor of Georgetown, USA, South Carolina, for good work, participating in “Engaging deliberations” with industrial leaders of repute on “digital transformation be used to drive innovation and improve efficiency in manufacturing operations”, an CNBC 18 episode of the COO collective organized by Forbes India and he is also a Member of Della Leaders Club, a Global repository of Business and Lifestyle content.
“I will have a great aim; I will continuously acquire knowledge; I will do hard work; and I will persevere and succeed” (Quote of Abdul Kalam) is my Mantra
“See your challenges as opportunities, work hard, work smart”, he expresses. And lastly, he adds, “Try to have a mission-critical approach for “deep domain expertise” in your chosen field so that you could do value-addition and contribute effectively”.
