Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Clients and products handled
Timeline
Generic
KARUTHEDATH LIJU

KARUTHEDATH LIJU

Bangalore

Summary

Versatile Senior Manager specializing in customer relations and skilled at planning, implementing and overseeing key improvements to drive business growth and efficiency. History of cultivating an open culture with free exchange of information. Pursuing new professional challenges with a growth-oriented company.


Forward-thinking Senior Manager adept at managing teams of 20 plus employees with 6 direct reports to accomplish challenging objectives. Imparts clear vision to guide cohesive, high-performing teams.


Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Project Consultant

Self Employed
Bangalore
02.2022 - Current
  • Getting familiar with client's business environment in order to lead projects effectively, coordinating with relevant stakeholders, both inside and outside organization. Allocating tasks to project management team and providing regular guidance to team members
  • Assisted business units with existing functioning projects by implementing set strategies to improve process productivity. Utilized fishbone diagrams and failure mode effects analysis to attack critical customer complaint issues.
  • Evaluated current processes to develop improvement plans. Reviewed internal systems and organized training plans to address areas in need of improvement.
  • Implemented 5S requirements in Merchandising, Store and Production floor. Used SIPOC and DMAIC process to initiate and lead problem-solving efforts.
  • Created standard work instructions for assembly and material handling to improve workflow and productivity 50%. Updated processes and process maps to improve material flow throughout factory.
  • Made recommendations to reduce waste, increase utilization and reduce costs via enhancements to procedures, business practices and systems. Gathered, documented, and modeled data to assess business trends.
  • Created and optimized records management strategies to coordinate and protect information.
  • Researched and identified new opportunities for product and brand development.
  • Supervised creation of exciting merchandise displays to catch attention of store customers.

Senior Manager - Sales

HIRDARAMANI GROUP OF COMPANIES, Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh City
03.2017 - 06.2021
  • Created efficient customer grievance system to manage customer complaints and resolve disputes in timely manner which improved customer satisfaction by 30% in just 3 months.
  • Managed production of Call of Duty League (professional e-sports league) products from concept creation to launch.
  • Managed large-scale projects and introduced new systems, tools, and processes to achieve challenging objectives. Implemented efficient sales funnel, directly increasing sales by 25% year on year reaching $40 million between 2018 - 2021 with customers Nike and Amazon.
  • Boosted team member productivity by enhancing performance monitoring and instituting motivational approaches. Led team of 10 merchandising professionals who consistently increased sales growth, driving year-over-year company profits at 80% for Nike and Amazon
  • Consolidated vendors and renegotiated contracts to optimize costs.
  • Developed proposals and presentations for internal and external audiences.
  • Reviewed and analyzed reports, records and directives to obtain data required for planning department activities.
  • Conducted performance evaluations, compensations and hiring to maintain appropriate staffing requirements. Created company culture initiative that raised employee satisfaction rates by 25% year over year.
  • Provided strong leadership to enhance team productivity and morale.
  • Produced staffing matrix to provide adequate coverage of department. Steered company through complicated re-organization, resulting in 75% increase in profits with minimal employee turnover
  • Brainstormed and developed sales strategies to achieve short and long term sales revenue objectives.
  • Developed and implemented new filing systems to improve organizational efficiency and productivity.
  • Identified cost improvement changes and cost savings plans to increase company savings.
  • Held weekly meetings to create business plans and workshops to drive successful business. Implemented weekly meeting with 5 other department heads to discuss goals, updates, and challenges, increasing productivity across departments by 20% year over year.
  • Executed appropriate staffing and budgetary plans to align with business forecasts.

Manager - Sales

YOUNG BRAND APPAREL PRIVATE LIMITED
Chennai
03.2015 - 02.2017
  • Closed lucrative sales deals using strong negotiation and persuasion skills, resulting in increased sales 5-fold from US$3million to US$15million for Marks & Spencers account at Young Brand between years 2015 - 2017.
  • Established and cultivated solid business relationships with new or existing customers.
  • Met with clients, delivering presentations, and educating on product and service features and offerings.
  • Handled customer relations issues, enabling quick resolution, and boost client satisfaction.
  • Maintained relationships with customers and found new ones by identifying needs and offering appropriate services.
  • Prepared sales presentations for clients showing success and credibility of products.
  • Identified, hired and trained highly-qualified staff by teaching best practices, procedures, and sales strategies.
  • Recruited and hired top-level talent to add value and expertise to sales department.
  • Maintained ethical and positive working environment to reduce turnover and promote high retention rates.
  • Conducted team meetings to reinforce goals and objectives and set clear expectations about policies and procedures.
  • Grew sales and boosted profits, applying proactive management strategies and enhancing sales training.
  • Attended industry shows, conventions, and other meetings with primary mission of expanding market opportunities.
  • Utilized metrics to modify low-performing sales and marketing programs and plans to increase effectiveness.
  • Evaluated performance against goals and implemented appropriate development plans.
  • Engaged in product training, demonstrations, consumer awareness, branding, and acquisition initiatives to raise awareness and revenues.
  • Boosted marketing, reviewed pricing strategies to increase sales revenue.
  • Maintained financial controls, planned business operations and control expenses while identifying and pursuing opportunities to grow business operations and boost profits.
  • Achieved sales goals and service targets by cultivating and securing new customer relationships

Head of Merchandising

Leela Scottish Lace Private Limited
Bengaluru
12.2008 - 02.2015
  • Head of the Sampling, Design, Merchandising & Supply chain Department for Brand Guru.
  • Sampling department consisted of 1 Sampling Manager, 5 Pattern Makers, 3 QA, 1 Sampling assistant and 30 sampling tailors, split into 3 lines of 10 tailors each.
  • Design department consisted of 2 senior designers and 4 designers.
  • Merchandising team consisted of 2 Assistant Managers and 7 merchants
  • Supply chain team consisted of 1 Assistant Manager and 3 supply chain executives.
  • Sample department would work mainly on woven and denim products between 2008 and 2010. In 2011, setup 1 knit sampling line with 10 tailors.
  • Products included Girl/Boy, Woman / Man shirts, tops, dress, skirts, shorts, trousers, jackets, denim & tee. All Guru garments were embellished with print, embroidery, studs, rivets where necessary and other relevant design elements.
  • Sample room stitched between 75-100 samples daily. In order to feed idle lines during lean sampling period, took up small bulk orders for Guru within 500 pieces.
  • In-charge of developing wash recipes according to design and product manager requirements
  • Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
  • Assisted day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
  • Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced environment.
  • Acted as team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.
  • Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution.
  • Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
  • Provided professional services and support in dynamic work environment.
  • Developed strong organizational and communication skills through coursework and volunteer activities.
  • Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
  • Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.

Senior Merchandiser

HI FASHION APPAREL TRADING LLC
United Arab Emirates
01.2003 - 10.2008
  • Handling Outerwear business of US$ 3 million each quarter.
  • Styles consisted of outerwear (jackets, ski-pants), board shorts, swim shorts & champion licensed apparel - NHL, over 50 styles per season.
  • Ran quality checks (in-line, mid-line and final) of product over 5 different production factories.
  • Gained extensive knowledge in data entry, analysis and reporting.
  • Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
  • Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
  • Participated in team projects, demonstrating ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
  • Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
  • Devised processes to boost long-term business success and increase profit levels.
  • Established inventory targets, stock level, and risk mitigation targets and managed flexibility strategy to optimize inventory.
  • Oversaw demand planning, purchasing, and logistics.
  • Promoted, from senior merchandiser to manager-operations, in less than 2 years for successfully handling business across 3 countries and with 5 different factories.

Supply Chain Lead

GOKALDAS IMAGE PVT. LTD
06.1997 - 12.2002
  • Appointed as Imports Executive and promoted to supply chain lead for improving procedures, thus reducing buy times in half, cargo and buy consolidation thus reducing costs by 20% and overall improving bottom line for fashion wear division.
  • Supply Chain lead for fashion wear division and Merchandising assistant for Liz Claiborne for excellent knowledge of supply chain activities which included sourcing – RM and fabric, import documentation, banking activities, payments, transportation and clearing & forwarding activities
  • Conducted competition analysis by monitoring market developments and determined market share measures which brought down import costs by 15%.
  • Performed qualitative and quantitative research with existing customers and potential new prospects, increasing bottom line for fashion wear division by 10% overall.
  • Built supplier relationships to mitigate risk and establish effective purchasing arrangements with indirect and logistics customers.
  • Streamlined shipping and receiving operations to reduce errors and improve customer satisfaction within 3 weeks of implementation.
  • Tracked and monitored purchase orders, deliveries and invoicing to verify accuracy and compliance, achieved 100% results after 1 month of implementation.
  • Monitored and tracked supplier performance to enforce adherence to quality standards and established timelines.
  • Oversaw demand planning, purchasing, and logistics.
  • Devised and implemented efficient processes for production tracking and inventory control
  • Forecasted production schedules and adjusted plans to accommodate changes.

Education

PG Diploma - Garment Export Marketing and Merchandising

National Institute of FashionTechnology
Bengaluru, KA
2000

Masters - Costing and Taxation

Ramnarayan Chellaram College OfCommerce
Bangalore
1999

Bachelor of Commerce - Principles of Auditing, ITLaw, Cost & Mgmt Accntg

Christ College
Bangalore
1997

Skills

  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Coaching and Mentoring
  • Staff Management
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Strategic Planning
  • Product and Service Expertise
  • KPI setting-up, tracking and evaluations
  • Negotiations Expert and Strong Deal Closer
  • Troubleshooting and Problem Resolution
  • Business Growth and Retention
  • Time Management
  • Profit and Revenue-Generating Strategies
  • P&L Management
  • Product Development

Clients and products handled

Products Handled : 

Outerwear - Jackets viz., (Field Jacket, Bomber Jacket, Puffer Jacket, Technical Jacket, Vest, Rain Coat, Packable Jacket, Parka, Harrington Jacket, Fleece Jacket, Quilted Jacket, Overcoat, Pea Coat, Trucker Jacket, Shearling Jacket, Down Jacket, Hoodie, Sweatshirt, Windbreaker.)

Ski-pants - Padded, Non-padded.

Board shorts 

Swim shorts

Army Uniforms for Abu Dhabi Army and school uniforms for Dubai schools.

Shirts

Trousers

Denim

Intimates

Tees

PPE - Level I, Level II & Level III. 


Customers :

Nike (licensed products - NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and Call of Duty League)

Adidas

Amazon

Prana

Sole Technology

Volcom

Burlington 

Ocean Pacific

Ron Jon Stores

Costco

Haggar

Champion

M & S

Benetton

ED Hardy

Guru

Timeline

Project Consultant

Self Employed
02.2022 - Current

Senior Manager - Sales

HIRDARAMANI GROUP OF COMPANIES, Ho Chi Minh
03.2017 - 06.2021

Manager - Sales

YOUNG BRAND APPAREL PRIVATE LIMITED
03.2015 - 02.2017

Head of Merchandising

Leela Scottish Lace Private Limited
12.2008 - 02.2015

Senior Merchandiser

HI FASHION APPAREL TRADING LLC
01.2003 - 10.2008

Supply Chain Lead

GOKALDAS IMAGE PVT. LTD
06.1997 - 12.2002

PG Diploma - Garment Export Marketing and Merchandising

National Institute of FashionTechnology

Masters - Costing and Taxation

Ramnarayan Chellaram College OfCommerce

Bachelor of Commerce - Principles of Auditing, ITLaw, Cost & Mgmt Accntg

Christ College

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