Manindra Karunarathne

Manindra Karunarathne Lead - Private Label Ambitious and dedicated management professional with a specialization in International Business equipped with diverse Personal Info --92/A/5, Tiverton road, Peradeniya, Kandy, 20400, Sri Lanka Nationality Sri Lankan Date of birth experience in negotiation, costing, supplier management, portfolio and product management, and strategic planning. Proven expertise in driving cross-functional collaboration to achieve business objectives and delivering measurable results in dynamic environments. Aspiring to grow my career by leveraging my skills and experiences in a challenging, remote opportunity that aligns with my passion for strategic growth and innovation. Education BBA (International Business) Special, Faculty of Management and 18/04/1997 Finance, University of Colombo (First Class Honours) Skills Certi cate Level, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants Attention to detail Problem-solving Leadership Teamwork Creativity Interpersonal skills Adaptability Communication Time management Languages English Sinhala January 2018 - December 2021 –CIMA (Cert BA) Foundation level, Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Advanced Level, Hillwood College Kandy (4 A's) 2016 Ordinary Level, Hillwood College Kandy (8A's 1B) 2013 Work Experience Lead- Private Label, Keells Supermarkets, Colombo July 2024 - Present Strategic Planning: Developing and executing growth strategies for the private label portfolio. Supplier Relationship Management: Building and maintaining long-term relationships with key suppliers. Portfolio Management: Expanding the product range and optimizing the performance of existing products through market and performance analysis. Budgeting: Managing budgets for product development, marketing, and sourcing. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working with Category, Quality assurance, Supply chain, IT, Marketing, Finance, and Operations teams to align with organizational objectives. Performance Analysis: Reviewing product sales and pro tability to identify areas for improvement. Planning and Executing Marketing Campaigns: Achieve set objectives to create awareness and increase pro tability through various platforms (ATL, digital etc) Executive- Private Label, Keells Supermarkets, Colombo April 2023 - June 2024 Product Development: Assisting in designing and launching private label products. Supplier Coordination: Communicating with suppliers for product sourcing, pricing negotiations, and quality checks. Costing and Pricing: Analyzing product costs and setting competitive pricing strategies. Market Research: Conducting competitor analysis and identifying trends to improve the product portfolio. Branding and Packaging: Supporting the development of branding, packaging designs, and product labels. Executive - Direct Imports, Keells Supermarkets, Remote/ Colombo March 2022 - March 2023 Supplier Sourcing and Coordination: Identify, evaluate, and maintain relationships with international suppliers to procure goods e ciently. Negotiation: Negotiate costs, payment terms, and contracts with suppliers to ensure cost-e ectiveness and quality. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure goods comply with local regulations, customs requirements, and quality standards. Cost Analysis: Analyze landed costs, including freight, duties, and taxes, to maintain competitive pricing. Inventory Coordination: Monitor stocks to prevent shortages/ overstocks, managing shipments with supply chain team. Supplier Relationship Management: Foster strong supplier relationships to secure favorable terms and reliable supply. Reporting and Analysis: Prepare reports on procurement activities, costs, and performance for management review. Intern- Brand Management , Dialog Axiata PLC, Remote / Colombo June 2021 - December 2021 Market Research: Assist in analyzing market trends, customer behavior, and competitor activities to provide insights for brand strategies. Content Creation: Contribute to the development of marketing materials, such as brochures, social media posts, and product presentations. Cross-functional Collaboration: Work with teams across departments, such as sales, design, and product development, to ensure brand consistency. Vendor Coordination: Liaise with external agencies, creative teams and printers, to produce marketing materials on time and within budget. Administrative Tasks: Manage daily operations, such as scheduling meetings, preparing reports, and maintaining organized les related to projects. Other Experience Founding partner at Jade Event Planners March 2023 - Present Managing an event planning service which organizes diverse events, from weddings to conferences and gala dinners. Overseeing vendor negotiation, budgeting, timeline and on-site coordination, ensuring tailored solutions. Lveraging creativity and attention to detail to deliver unique and memorable experiences. Founder of eMKay September 2016 - Present Specialize in customized cake structures and cupcakes for weddings, birthdays, and corporate events. Manage all aspects from baking to decorating, order ful llment, and customer service. Skilled in time management and multitasking to handle multiple orders while maintaining exceptional quality and creativity. Membership and Leadership Skills • School Senior prefect (2014/2015) • School Junior prefect (2007/2008) • Head Prefect at Sri Gnanalankara (English Medium) Dhamma school (2012/2013) • Deputy Minister of Education at the student parliament (2011) • Vice Secretary of the school ICT club • Treasurer of the school Photographic society • Member of the 3rd Kandy Girl Guide Company • Member of the school Table Tennis team Other •Award for "20 Outstanding Companies in Best Management Practises (BMP) Awards 2025 and Category winner under supermarkets, malls and shopping complexes for BMP for the Keells Own Label Strategy and Campaign planned during 2024. • Nominee for the "She Inspires" Award at the Keells Awards 2024 • Marketing Manager for Team “Terrestre” Business Development Project- Faculty of Management and Finance (2020) • Participated for the Presidents Guide Award in 2013 References Ranella Jayasuriya, Assistant Vice President John Keells HoldingsHead of Direct Imports & Private Label - Keells-| - Prof. M. P. P. Dharmadasa, Former Dean- Faculty of Management & Finance, University of Colombo-| -