Zepto VP Jitendra Bagga Steps Down after CHRO Gomes Departed Early This Month

-Jitendra Bagga, who joined Zepto in April, previously worked at Raymond Limited and spent over 24 years at Reliance Retail.

-He was leading mother hubs (MH) and line haul (LH) projects, part of the warehousing division, for the startup.

-These exits occur as Zepto prepares for a public market debut in 2025.

Jitendra Bagga, the Vice President of Central Operations at quick-commerce unicorn Zepto, has resigned from his position, as reported by Moneycontrol. Bagga joined Zepto in April this year. 

The resignation marks a significant development for Zepto, a fast-growing player in the quick-commerce industry, although the reasons behind his departure have not been disclosed.

He was leading mother hubs (MH) and line haul (LH) projects, part of the warehousing division, for the startup.

Bagga’s departure is the second high-level exit at Zepto followed by its CHRO leaving the startup on December 10. 

Reportedly, Warehousing, MH and LH are key functions for Zepto, especially because Zepto is on a massive expansion drive. 

As a quick-commerce player, Zepto’s success relies heavily on efficient supply chain operations to ensure timely deliveries. These functions are critical in managing inventory, storage, and the movement of goods from warehouses to customers in a short timeframe. With its rapid growth, strengthening these areas is likely a priority to support its broader expansion strategy and maintain operational efficiency.

Moneycontrol reported, Zepto has significantly expanded its operations, increasing its dark store count from around 300 at the beginning of the year to over 750. This growth is part of Zepto's strategy to outpace rivals including Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit, Flipkart Minutes, and Tata BigBasket. 

Jitendra Bagga, who joined Zepto in April, previously worked at Raymond Limited and spent over 24 years at Reliance Retail, specializing in supply chain and related fields. It is unclear who will replace Bagga. However, reportedly, Zepto may choose an internal candidate due to its current slowdown in external hiring.

Contemporary Exits at Zepto

Jitendra Bagga's resignation is the second high-level exit at Zepto in recent months. On December 10, Martin Dinesh Gomez, Zepto's Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO), also left after an 11-month tenure. Both departures come as Zepto plans to relocate its headquarters and employees from Mumbai to Bengaluru, as previously reported.

Bagga and Gomez are part of a growing list of senior executives who have left Zepto in 2024, including Viral Jhaveri, Ashish Shah, and Manik Oberoi. These exits occur as Zepto prepares for a public market debut in 2025, with investment bankers including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Axis Capital already selected for its IPO. 

The startup is also increasing domestic shareholding and reducing foreign investor stakes in preparation for its $500 million-plus IPO.