ABOUT ME 👧🏻 I am a dedicated and results-oriented professional with a comprehensive background in the fashion and apparel industry. offering a unique blend of specialized knowledge, practical experience, and strategic acumen tailored for success. With a recent MSc in Fashion Marketing Management from Cardiff Metropolitan University, I possess in-depth expertise in key marketing principles and strategies specifically applied within the fashion industry context. PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS👜 ✅PRIMARY PROFESSION: Six years experience as a Fashion Merchandiser for international brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Gap, Jack Wills, and Superdry by managing product development processes, brand & product development, negotiating prices, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality products to secure orders and enhance sales. ✅ENTREPRENEUR: I previously ran my own two online businesses - Batik and Handloom clothing and Portrait businesses demonstrates my creativity, business acumen, and ability to drive product development and innovation. ✅PART-TIME WORK: Working as a Customer Service Assistant and All-Rounder in the Hospitality and Retail sector for over one and a half years, I honed a diverse skill set including strong communication and multitasking. problem-solving, time management, teamwork, leadership, adaptability, and customer service skills. EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY👩🎓 📚MSc Fashion Marketing Management: Equipped me with specialized knowledge in consumer behaviour, trend analysis, brand management, Luxury brand management, Creative direction, and strategic marketing tailored for the fashion industry. 📚MBA, combined with a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business and Human Resources Management, has equipped me with a strong foundation in finance, marketing, operations, and strategic planning, essential for driving growth and profitability in the fashion business landscape. 📚BSc Applied Science (Textile Technology and Management) has honed my technical skills in textile production and management. 📚Certificate in Fashion Design has enriched my creativity and understanding of fashion trends and consumer preferences.
♦ Managed direct communication with buyers from Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) kids, Women & Hollister swimwear product lines. ♦ Led product development processes, including coordination with three factories, overseeing sample progress, and conducting price negotiations with suppliers, factories, and customers. ♦ Provided comprehensive product costing and successfully negotiated pricing and quantities to secure orders. ♦ Communicate with vendors to align with the seasonal buying and production calendar, negotiating when any mismatches occur. ♦ Spearheaded fabric development initiatives for upcoming Abercrombie & Fitch product ranges. ♦ Possess extensive expertise in Time & Action (T&A) follow-up, ensuring smooth progress from development through bulk production stages.
♦ Founded and established a Batik apparel manufacturing company. ♦ Designed and developed a range of Handloom and Batik products, including custom designs tailored to client needs. ♦ Delivered exceptional customer service by launching innovative product ranges with distinctive designs. ♦ Negotiated and cultivated strong relationships with both suppliers and customers, ensuring smooth operations. ♦ Managed social media marketing strategies to increase business visibility and customer engagement. ♦ Took full ownership of all aspects of social media, including content creation, promotions, and advertising campaigns, to drive brand visibility and customer engagement.
♦ Directly communicated with key buyers from renowned brands such as JACK WILLS and SUPERDRY, focusing on undergarments, bras, boxers, jackets, shorts, pants, hoodies, and more. ♦ Led product development processes, including raw material (RM) procurement, supplier price negotiations, and overseeing sample creation to ensure alignment with client expectations. ♦ Provided detailed product cost analysis and successfully negotiated pricing and order quantities, securing purchase orders and driving revenue growth. ♦ Managed bulk merchandising operations, including greige fabric and capacity bookings, lab dip (L/D) and bulk trim approvals, and regular follow-ups to ensure timely delivery and product quality. ♦ Proficient in using SAP/ PLM systems to support development and bulk production processes.
♦ Worked with global brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F), including line brands like Gilly Hicks, Hollister, and A&F Kids. ♦ Managed product development processes from fabric and trim development to sample making, costing, and price negotiations, ensuring smooth transitions from inquiry to order placement. ♦ Facilitated customer visits and buying meetings, closely overseeing styles from initial inquiry through to order confirmation. ♦ Created A3 reports for various projects to standardize and improve efficiency in the New Product Development (NPD) process, delivering faster results to customers. ♦ Collaborated with local and international suppliers to strengthen the company’s fabric, packaging, and threads supply chain. ♦ Gained valuable exposure to lean manufacturing practices, applying these principles to streamline operations and enhance overall production efficiency.
♦ Assist the Buyer in all aspects of the buying process, including design selection, supplier management, and procuring value-adding products. ♦ Oversee weekly stock replenishment for stores and maintain accurate stock records. ♦ Conduct regular visits to retail outlets and collaborate with shop personnel to ensure optimal stock availability. ♦ Work closely with the Merchandising Manager to support the development of new product lines and enhance existing offerings. ♦ Analyse consumer buying trends and contribute to the forecasting of sales at retail locations.
Recommendation for Ms. Gayani To Whom It May Concern, It is with great pride that I write this recommendation for Ms. Gayani, who worked as a Product Development Merchandiser at Norlanka Manufacturing Limited. During her tenure, I had the privilege of working closely with her in my role as Assistant General Manager, and I can confidently vouch for her exceptional capabilities and dedication. Gayani consistently demonstrated remarkable proficiency in the areas of product development and merchandising. Her expertise in managing complex workflows, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality products made her an invaluable asset to our organization. She showcased a deep understanding of industry trends and customer requirements, ensuring that the designs and products she managed were both innovative and market-relevant. What truly stands out about Gayani is her ability to remain calm and focused under pressure. Whether navigating tight deadlines, addressing unforeseen challenges, or adapting to evolving client needs, she handled every situation with grace and professionalism. Her strong interpersonal and communication skills allowed her to build excellent rapport with suppliers, clients, and team members alike, fostering a collaborative and efficient working environment. Gayani is not only a skilled professional but also a natural leader and mentor. Her willingness to guide and support her colleagues contributed greatly to the success and cohesion of the team. Her positive attitude, combined with her passion for excellence, makes her an outstanding addition to any organization. I am confident that Gayani will bring immense value to any role she undertakes and strongly recommend her for any opportunity that allows her to further develop her talents and contribute meaningfully. Please feel free to contact me at for any additional information or clarification. Sincerely, Devika Amarasooriya Former Assistant General Manager Norlanka Manufacturing Limited