Shivakumar started his career as a management trainee in the Consumer Products Division at Hindustan Ciba Geigy before shifting toHindustan Unilever Limited where he spent 19 years in sales, marketing and general management positions. He handled consumer major Hindustan Unilever’s foods business between 1989-97, leading brands like Lipton tea, Tree Top fruit juices and Waffles wafers in the snacks segment, before moving to handle shampoos, feminine hygiene and baby products.