Sonali Dasgupta
Bangalore,KA
Summary
Experienced professional with 25+ years of expertise in sourcing and merchandising across South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Egypt). Results-oriented with a proven track record of achieving organizational goals. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills for effective strategy execution. Committed to driving success and delivering optimal outcomes for the company.
Dedicated [Industry] professional with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.
Dynamic individual with hands-on experience in [Area of expertise] and talent for navigating challenges. Brings strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach to new tasks. Known for adaptability, creativity, and results-oriented mindset. Committed to making meaningful contributions and advancing organizational goals.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional Merchandise Director
COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY
04.2017 - Current
- Strengthen relationship and mutual collaboration with Customer-Costing/Sourcing/Development
- Work closely with Global sourcing team, to influence, align and build Regional Sourcing Strategy at vendor COO and cap type level
- Hire and develop the right talent for Product Development team to deliver to global development expectations
- Enable and facilitate certified Fit Engineers at FGVs
- Work on the most efficient Development methods with Product Development Leadership team to enable efficiency and effectiveness of PD process
- Work on the Right product, right cost as per consumer and customer expectation
- Strengthen relationship and mutual collaboration with Vendor Partners - Costing/Sourcing/Development
- Drive and prepare regional vendors to evolve, adapt, invest to deliver as per our global sourcing strategy
- Drive continuous process improvement across all Merch functions
- Elevate, empower and create an environment which drives and motivates the team to perform their best
- Work with Sourcing to improve the resourcing process which reduces workload and business outcomes
- Providing Strategic leadership for Sourcing, Costing, Product Development and Vendor Engagement functions for the Regional Liaison Office
- Building and managing vendor relationships to deliver Profitability, On-time Execution, Project milestones and Goals of Columbia Sportswear
- Providing leadership to Merchandising teams in achieving the target goals for Product Development, Costing and Commercialization of products to the multiple global markets in which we conduct business
Divisional Merchandise Manager
LI & FUNG INDIA PVT LTD
03.2013 - 10.2016
- Company Overview: HK based BUYING and TRADING CO
- Source new vendors, fabrics and products based on Customer trends and requirements
- Develop new Business
- Establish long term relation with Customers and vendors through excellent communication and quality service
- Micro Manage the team to enhance service, delivery performance and operational efficiency
- Work out effective solutions to queries, conflicts and issues at the earliest
- Source and maintain a strong vendor network
- Evaluate vendor capabilities, capacity and delivery performance on regular basis and change allocations accordingly
- Strong Merchandising, Production and Delivery follow up
- Doing Budget Plan and Implementation
- HK based BUYING and TRADING CO
- Brands handled - UK - Marks & Spencer, George Asda, New look, Next, Lipsy, AM London, A&G; Ireland - Dunnes Stores; USA - Nasty Gal, Ann Loren, Cosani; Spain – Suite Blanco, Bonnet Pompon; France – Monoprix, Galleries Lafayette’s
Divisional Merchandise Manager
william e conner and associates sourcing
11.2011 - 03.2013
- Company Overview: BUYING AGENCY
- Sourcing and Merchandising, Business Development for various US and European Brands
- BUYING AGENCY
- Categories - Causal and High end Ladies, Kids and Men’s Apparel
- Brands handled – USA - Bonton (Chain of Retail stores for High Fashion Ladies, Men and Children Brands); USA - Gardens Alive (High Fashion Catalogue Brand); USA - Boscovs (Chain of Retail stores for High Fashion Ladies wear); UK - TK Maxx (Ladies wear Brand); USA - Red Envelope (High end Gifting Catalogue for Apparel, Scarfs, Accessories); Canada - Sears (Ladies wear, Outerwear, Leather Jackets); Mexico - Liverpool (Ladies, Juniors, Boys and Girls wear)
Merchandise Manager
REDCATS INDIA PVT LIMITED
09.2004 - 10.2011
- Company Overview: hK BASED LIASION OFFICE
- Heading the Sourcing and Merchandising division for various European Brands
- HK BASED LIASION OFFICE
- Categories - Ladies, Kids, Men Apparels in woven, knits & leather
- Brands Handled – France - La Redoute (Ladies, Men and Children Brand); France - Somewhere, Cyrillus, Vertbaudet (Children & Family Brand); UK - Stella McCartney Kids Designer label, Empire Stores (Apparel and Accessories); France - Daxon & Celaia (Senior Brand); Sweden – Ellos (Ladries and Children Brand)
Senior Merchandiser
DEUTSCHE WOOLWORTH SOURCING HK LTD
10.2000 - 08.2004
- Company Overview: LIASION OFFICE
- Sourcing, Costing, Merchandising & Maintaining on time deliveries
- LIASION OFFICE
- Categories – Ladies, Men’s and Kids wear
- Brands handled - Woolworth Chain of Retail stores (Germany)
Senior Merchandiser
SHIVAM EXPORTS
04.2000 - 09.2000
- Company Overview: GOVT
- RECOGNISED EXPORT HOUSE
- Co-ordination with Sampling, Production team to ensure product quality and delivery
- Regular update / follow up with buying office
- GOVT
- RECOGNISED EXPORT HOUSE
- Accounts handled: Tesco (UK) and La Halle (France)
Merchandiser
EXPO CENTRE
09.1996 - 03.2000
- Company Overview: GOVT
- RECOGNISED EXPORT HOUSE
- Designing, Sourcing, Sampling and Production follow up with Clients
- Follow up on the orders from sampling till shipment
- GOVT
- RECOGNISED EXPORT HOUSE
- Brands handled - US - Lerner, Chadwicks, Bedford Fair, Lane Bryant, Newport News, Spiegel, Together and Willow Ridge; Europe - Woolworth, Seppala, Jean Fritz, N.K.D, Ellos and Peacock
Education
M.A - English Literature
01-2000
B.A - English (Honors)
01-1995
Skills
- Strategic Sourcing
- Merchandise allocation
- Capacity Management
- Product Development
- Pricing strategy
- Product lifecycle management
- Vendor costing negotiation
- Customer segmentation
- Category management
- Problem-solving
- Relationship building
- Continuous improvement
Certification
- Fashion Designing & Clothing Technology, Pearl Academy of Fashion, 1996
- Fashion Designing, IIFT, 1995
- Export Management, Foreign Trade Development Centre, 1998
Certifications
Building Your Team Coaching Playbook - Duke Corporate Education
Simplifying Complex Decision Making - Yale School of Management
Effective Negotiating - Karrass Effective Negotiating
The Clifton Strengths Assessment - Gallup
Situational Leadership - Blanchard
Speed of Trust - Franklin Covey
Timeline
Regional Merchandise Director - COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY
04.2017 - Current
Divisional Merchandise Manager - LI & FUNG INDIA PVT LTD
03.2013 - 10.2016
Divisional Merchandise Manager - william e conner and associates sourcing
11.2011 - 03.2013
Merchandise Manager - REDCATS INDIA PVT LIMITED
09.2004 - 10.2011
Senior Merchandiser - DEUTSCHE WOOLWORTH SOURCING HK LTD
10.2000 - 08.2004
Senior Merchandiser - SHIVAM EXPORTS
04.2000 - 09.2000
Merchandiser - EXPO CENTRE
09.1996 - 03.2000
Delhi University - M.A, English Literature
Delhi University - B.A, English (Honors)
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