Sakthivel Nataraj
Tiruppur
Summary
Results-driven professional with strong expertise in product development, capacity planning, and vendor performance management. Proven success in buyer/vendor negotiations, risk mitigation, and process optimization. Experienced in overseeing daily operations, aligning strategies with organizational goals, and ensuring quality and timeline adherence. Recognized for building strong vendor relationships, leading high-performing teams, and driving innovative solutions to enhance efficiency. Highly motivated and adaptable, with exceptional communication, multitasking, and time management skills, dedicated to delivering outstanding results and customer satisfaction.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
BU Head
Tom-Tailor Sourcing Ltd HK
05.2025 - Current
- Act as a senior point of contact for key buyer accounts, ensuring service quality, timely delivery, and overall satisfaction.
- Oversee the development and execution of seasonal calendars, range plans, and product strategies in collaboration with buyers.
- Lead pricing negotiations, product presentations, and vendor onboarding discussions.
- Supervise and guide cross-functional teams (merchandising, sourcing, QA, logistics) to ensure aligned execution.
- Monitor and enforce adherence to Time & Action (T&A) calendars across all active orders.
- Review and resolve escalations related to production delays, quality issues, or buyer concerns.
- Drive innovation in product development, focusing on cost, quality, and speed to market.
- Review and approve seasonal fabric and sample developments in collaboration with design and product teams.
- Analyze market trends and buyer feedback to optimize product offerings and category performance.
- Build and maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure reliable supply, competitive pricing, and compliance.
- Review vendor performance metrics: delivery, quality, capacity, and responsiveness.
- Ensure effective factory allocation based on buyer needs, product complexity, and compliance history.
- Collaborate with QA teams to ensure all products meet buyer-specific quality and testing requirements.
- Ensure factories and vendors comply with global labor, environmental, and sustainability standards (e.g., GOTS, BSCI, SEDEX).
- Monitor and manage audits, certifications, and technical documentation.
- Generate regular reports on business performance, risk assessments, and delivery metrics.
- Participate in strategic meetings with buyers, suppliers, and senior leadership.
- Act as a deputy to the General Manager, stepping in during absences or on strategic initiatives.
GM - Operations
Clover Clothing Company
11.2024 - 04.2025
- Directed daily operations to ensure efficient workflow and resource allocation.
- Developed strategic plans to align with organizational goals and market trends.
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance collaboration and project execution.
- Managed budgets and financial forecasts for operational sustainability.
- Oversaw employee performance evaluations and provided constructive feedback.
- Managed all aspects of daily business operations including budgeting, staffing, scheduling, inventory control, customer service and sales.
- Resolved customer complaints quickly while maintaining high quality standards of service delivery.
Operation Manager
Toram - Buying Office / Factory
04.2018 - 09.2024
- Oversee day-to-day operations of the buying office, ensuring efficiency across departments (merchandising, QA, sourcing, logistics).
- Establish, monitor, and improve operational processes, SOPs, and workflows.
- Coordinate with merchandising teams to ensure Time & Action (T&A) calendars are created and followed.
- Ensure consistent communication between internal departments and overseas buyers/clients.
- Track and monitor order status from development to delivery.
- Coordinate with vendors, factories, and internal teams to ensure on-time sample and bulk production.
- Identify and resolve production bottlenecks or shipment delays proactively.
- Analyze production timelines and WIP reports to provide regular updates to buyers and management.
- Support sourcing and merchandising teams in vendor allocation based on capacity, capability, and compliance.
- Work with factories to track production plans, daily output, and shipment schedules.
- Maintain strong relationships with vendors and mills for smooth execution.
- Collaborate with the QA team to ensure that buyer quality standards are met across all products.
- Support audit schedules, testing, and compliance documentation as per buyer and country-specific requirements.
- Manage quality issue escalations and coordinate solutions with the factory and QA teams.
- Coordinate with logistics partners and shipping teams for timely dispatch and documentation.
- Ensure all pre-shipment and post-shipment documentation is complete and accurate.
- Track inbound and outbound shipments and flag any delays to relevant teams.
- Lead and supervise cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with company objectives.
- Conduct regular performance reviews and identify areas for training and development.
- Encourage a collaborative, performance-driven culture across departments.
- Generate weekly and monthly reports on production status, order tracking, shipment performance, and vendor KPIs.
- Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to senior leadership for process improvement.
GM Product & Operations
Warsaw International
08.2011 - 03.2018
- Define and execute the seasonal product development strategy in alignment with brand/buyer requirements and market trends.
- Oversee design, development, fabric sourcing, and sample execution for all product categories.
- Identify product innovations, sustainable materials, and value-added techniques to strengthen buyer relationships.
- Approve product ranges, collections, and key fabric selections with internal teams and clients.
- Own the entire production lifecycle - from order confirmation to final delivery.
- Ensure robust T&A planning and strict adherence to deadlines across all departments.
- Lead factory/vendor capacity planning and manage allocation based on product complexity, lead times, and cost targets.
- Proactively manage bottlenecks, quality issues, and escalations with internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Drive collaboration between design, merchandising, production, QA, and compliance teams to ensure seamless execution.
- Promote a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Develop and maintain a strong network of strategic vendors and mills across key sourcing hubs.
- Negotiate cost, lead time, and capacity terms with vendors to ensure competitiveness and reliability.
- Monitor supplier performance in terms of quality, delivery, compliance, and sustainability metrics.
- Oversee implementation of buyer-specific quality standards and protocols across the supply chain.
- Ensure factories meet global compliance standards including labor, safety, and environmental (e.g., SEDEX, WRAP, GOTS, BSCI).
- Drive initiatives for sustainable sourcing, material innovation, and circular economy practices.
- Track key KPIs: OTIF (On-Time In Full), product hit rate, margin achievement, lead time reduction, etc.
- Report regularly to top management on business performance, operational challenges, and growth opportunities.
- Represent the company in buyer/vendor meetings and audits as required.
Head Merchandising
MultiTrade - Buying Agency
05.2010 - 07.2011
- Define and implement the merchandising strategy in alignment with buyer expectations and business goals.
- Customers Handled: Tom - Tailor, S-Oliver, OVS, Fan Mania, Marco - Polo, Camp David, Lerros, Street One, Suncity, Max - India, John Player, GAP, First Cry, Mini Club.
Asst Merchandising Manager
Sonal Garments
05.2009 - 04.2010
- Work directly with buyers to understand seasonal requirements, design directions, and technical specifications.
- Drive development of knitwear collections using appropriate fabrics, trims, and finishes.
- Present new fabric qualities, value additions, and innovations based on trends and buyer needs.
- Ensure timely sampling: Proto, Fit, SMS, Size Sets, and Pre-Production Samples (PPS).
- Analyze consumption and prepare costings with a strong understanding of knit fabric behavior.
- Negotiate pricing with buyers and vendors to meet target margins.
- Finalize orders based on buyer confirmations and internal production capacities.
- Create and manage detailed T&A plans to ensure timely execution from development to shipment.
- Coordinate with sourcing, production, QA, and logistics teams for on-time delivery and quality assurance.
- Monitor WIP (Work in Progress) and proactively identify and resolve delays or bottlenecks.
- Work closely with the fabric team to ensure timely fabric sourcing, lab dip approvals, and bulk fabric delivery.
- Ensure trims and accessories are developed, approved, and in-house per T&A timelines.
- Guide junior merchandisers and assistants in handling orders and communications.
- Maintain clear records of orders, developments, communications, and approvals.
- Prepare weekly internal and buyer updates on order status, sampling, and shipment tracking.
Merchandiser
Eastman Exports Pvt Ltd.
10.2007 - 05.2009
- Understand seasonal buyer requirements and translate them into fabric and product developments.
- Source and develop circular knit fabrics in coordination with the fabric team and suppliers.
- Handle product costing, pricing negotiations, and ensure target margins are met.
- Coordinate sample development (Proto, Fit, SMS, PP) and ensure timely submissions.
- Manage buyer communications, follow-ups, and approvals across all product stages.
Fabric Executive
Best International
04.2023 - 09.2007
- Develop and source circular knit fabrics as per buyer/brand requirements.
- Manage fabric development calendar, ensuring timely submission of lab dips, strike-offs, and knitdown.
- Coordinate with mills and vendors for fabric sampling, pricing, MOQ, and lead time discussions.
- Evaluate and approve fabric quality in terms of GSM, shrinkage, color fastness, hand feel, etc.
- Monitor bulk fabric production and ensure on-time delivery while maintaining quality standards.
- Conduct risk analysis of fabrics before development and bulk placement.
- Maintain fabric library and update records on developments, orders, and supplier performance.
- Track fabric consumption and provide accurate costing inputs for the merchandising team.
Education
MBA. - Merchandising
Periyar University
04.2010
BCA. -
Palani Andawar Arts & Science
04.2003
Skills
- Product development
- Capacity planning
- Vendor performance management
- Buyer/vendor negotiations
- Risk mitigation
- Process optimization
- Operational planning
- Data-driven decision-making
- Communication
- Conflict resolution
Awards
- Chess Champion, 1997
- Best Speaker Award, 1998
- Best Performer of the Year, 2015, Warsaw International
- CII - Cluster Head, 2016, (13 Companies)
Hobbies and Interests
- Chess
- Cricket
- Long Driving
Languages
- Tamil
- English
- Tamil
Personal Information
- Number of Children: 2
- Date of Birth: 04/22/82
- Marital Status: Married
Timeline
BU Head
Tom-Tailor Sourcing Ltd HK
05.2025 - Current
GM - Operations
Clover Clothing Company
11.2024 - 04.2025
Fabric Executive
Best International
04.2023 - 09.2007
Operation Manager
Toram - Buying Office / Factory
04.2018 - 09.2024
GM Product & Operations
Warsaw International
08.2011 - 03.2018
Head Merchandising
MultiTrade - Buying Agency
05.2010 - 07.2011
Asst Merchandising Manager
Sonal Garments
05.2009 - 04.2010
Merchandiser
Eastman Exports Pvt Ltd.
10.2007 - 05.2009
MBA. - Merchandising
Periyar University
BCA. -
Palani Andawar Arts & Science