SUNITHA GOKUL
Highly motivated and results-oriented individual with extensive experience in Merchandising. Proven track record of driving
revenue growth through effective merchandising strategies. Skilled in developing and motivating cross-functional teams to
achieve organizational goals. Seeking a challenging leadership role to leverage my expertise in maximizing profitability and
enhancing customer satisfaction
CONTACT--
https://www.linkedin.com/in/SunithaGokul/
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
22 years of experience in Category Management, Buying, Sourcing,
Merchandising and Product development for lifestyle & luxury brands
Fine understanding of commercial functions with Negotiation / Budgeting /
Working Capital Management knowledge
Cost Saving Initiative Expert.
Strong Vendor Network in India and Global market.
In-depth knowledge of categories like Fashion Accessories, Footwear,
Eyewear, Athleisure and Innerwear.
SKILLS
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SOURCING SPECIALIST
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VENDOR MANAGEMENT
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CATEGORY MANAGEMENT
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PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
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STRATEGIC SOURCING
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COST SAVINGS
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NETWORKING
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NEGOTIATION
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SUPPLY CHAIN
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DEMAND PLANNING
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INVENTORY
MANAGEMENT
Worked with US, UK & Australian clients in a Manufacturing facility
Mentor, Train and develop teams and create future leaders.
EXPERIENCE
INFIILOOM INDIA PVTLTD
GENERAL MANAGER – MERCHANDISING
(Aug 2021- Present)
Heading the Merchandising & Product development activities of leading
socks manufacturer in India with a turnover 350 Cr
Leading a team of Merchandisers and handling the Export, Retail and
Domestic orders. Mentor, train and develop the merchandising team.
Provide challenging opportunities to leverage strengths and improve abilities.
Worked with US, UK, and Australian Clients.
Customer Focus approach to trouble shooting, resolving problems & ensuring
repeat Business
To resonate with customers, understand all Business levers and drive
Customer satisfaction.
Managing all Export orders, handling Buyers and driving in Revenue.
Partner with the cross-functional leadership team to develop an efficient
product development calendar as well as lead the Merchandising team in
management of work to achieve calendar milestones.
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PROCESS ORIENTED
Partner with Design, Production, and Planning teams in concepting and
developing commercially strong products.
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CROSS FUNCTIONAL
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COLLABORATIVE
Ability to handle Multi accounts and comply to their pre – requisites
accordingly
Complete Back-end support to Factory and Shipping goods on time.
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CHANGE MANAGEMENT
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TEAM LEADERSHIP
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PROCUREMENT
SHAZE LUXURY RETAIL PVT LTD
HEAD - BUYING AND MERCHANDISING
(Oct 2020 – June 2021)
Leading a team of Buyers and Merchandisers responsible B&M for Premium
luxury products of Hosting, Living Décor, and Jewelry
Ensuring that Revenue targets and actual performance for various categories
are measured on a periodic basis along with the Channel heads and
marketing teams. Plan for the growth trajectory in both revenues and net
margins at an overall and category level
Plan seasonal launches.
Responsible for the complete Merchandise financial plan.
Create and refine Pricing strategy and ensure compelling
product/value/quality relationship.
Order fulfillments for Retail and Online channel partners.
Managing the OTB as well as the Inventory and Stock planning.
Managing International vendors from Italy & China as Well as Indian
suppliers.
RAYMOND APPAREL LIMITED
SENIOR MANAGER – SOURCING TRIMS & ACCESSORIES
(DEC 2019 – MAY 2020)
Leading and managing the team for sourcing of all Trims for the entire
Apparel Division of Shirts, Trousers, Knits, Suits, Jackets and Denims of Value
175 Cr
Identify and Nominate Trim suppliers for Garment factories.
Key areas being Procurement, Negotiation, Costing, Inventory management,
Vendor management, Supplier matrix
Control spends and builds a culture of long-term saving on procurement
costs.
Development of Sustainable Packaging
INITIATIVES Strategic Vendor Management for the Department.
Mill week for trims vendor
Utilization Vendor Inventory in flash ranges with huge price reductions
Multi costing for NOS Products
SENIOR MANAGER – SOURCING & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (ACCESSORIES)
EDUCATION
(JUNE 2013 – DEC 2019)
Heading the Sourcing and Product Development of Accessory Portfolio for 6
Brands (Park Avenue, Raymond Premium Apparel, Parx, ColorPlus, Next
Professional
PGDM - Indian Institute of
Planning and Management, New
Delhi.
B.E Production - Amrita Institute
of Technology & Science,
Bharathiar University
Academic
Higher Secondary from Adarsh
Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher
secondary school, Chennai in
1995 with a Distinction.
Secondary from Asan Memorial
Senior Secondary School,
Chennai in 1993 with a First
Class.
Look & Raymond Ethnix) of 300 Cr business.
Categories – Fashion Accessories, Leather Accessories, Innerwear,
Loungewear (T shirt, Track pant, Sweatshirts), Socks, Handkerchief,
Athleisure, Footwear, Eyewear, Khadi Merchandise, Handbags & Luggage
Expert to kick start a new category and launch in market
Strong Vendor network in India and International market.
Product Ideation and complete planning and finalizing the Range, type, and
quality of merchandise according to fashion trends, consumer
insights/demand, Brand Equity, Buying Plan and Budget.
Onus of seasonal Trade shows from sampling, display to order conversions
Ensuring the profitability and Revenue target for category by optimum
pricing, costing & Maximize mark-up
Responsible for all supply chain activities including Sourcing / Negotiations /
Costing/ Production/ Quality/ Logistics/ OTIF / Vendor Development.
Category Management across various channels of Retails (EBO, MBO, Trade,
ECOM & Institutional)
Inventory Management- Managing the fluctuations in demand, logistics and
Replenishments and Vendor Managed Inventory for NOS products
INITATIVES –
Average Cost Saving of 4-5 Cr annually
Cost saving of 1 Cr by Re-finishing and selling FG from warehouse
Initiated Promo offers for Apparel categories in modern retail with Accessory
merchandise
Built up business from 50 Cr in 2013 with only FA to 300 Cr by adding
Innerwear, & leather category
Separate Product lines made for CPC, CSD & Institutional orders and got the
channel moving from scratch to 10 Cr in a single financial year.
Developed special product line targeting ECOM space. Post launch, brand
moved to top 3 brands for Amazon for accessory category
COLORPLUS FASHION PVT LTD
CATEGORY MANAGER – ACCESSORIES
(FEB 2008 – MAY 2013)
Handling the Accessories category for the Brand and in complete
synchronization with Apparel and driving category growth through
innovation.
Planning and finalizing the range, type, and quality of merchandise according
to customer demand, Brand Equity, Trends, Buying Plan and Budget
Getting the Product and Merchandise Mix right.
Gross Margins of the category
Sourcing of New products and reviewing existing ones to ensure products
remain competitive.
Achieving higher OTIF
Managing the stock levels, reacting to change in demand, logistics and
Replenishments.
Inventory control
Li and Fung India Pvt. Ltd
SENIOR MERCHANDISER – FASHION ACCESSORIES
(APR 2003 – FEB 2008)
Independent handling in the cost center business of approximate 2.5 million
dollars
Dealing with customers both in the UK and US market like Tie Rack,
Rampage-Charlotte Russe, River Island, Seppalla, Hollister, Pacsun, A&F,
Limited Brands, BMB (Sainsbury) etc.
Handling of all Men’s and Women’s wear accessories.
Responsibilities include Product development, sampling to order processing
till shipping of merchandise keeping Delivery dates, Targets and Budgets in
mind.
Smooth running of Business keeping the Mutual relation between the BuyersBuying office—factory.
Overseas travel for Business Promotion and for new product developments.
VIVALDI LEATHER
SENIOR MERCHANDISER
(OCT 2001 – APR 2003)
Export Company manufacturing Leather Goods, which includes Office
accessories, Bar items, Home accessories, Gift items and Décor items
Starting from Marketing of the Product, Sampling and Order Procurement to
Final Shipping of the Merchandise was taken care of.
Independent handling of accounts from Buying Houses like William - E –
Connor, Gap, Carrefour, Otto, Spiral, Franciz Wacziarg, Impulse, KDC, Li &
Fung, Etc and Direct Buyers like Gram & Green, Oka Direct, Quart De Poil,
Kenneth Turner, Horwood, and Pulayert Home Basics Etc.
COLLAGE GROUP
MERCHANDISER
(SEP 2000 – OCT 2001)
Export Firm dealing with Garments – woven as well as Knits.
Handling various accounts of different Buying houses independently like
Signature, ASDA, BTC, IBC
Monitoring various factors of orders like fabric control, trims procurement,
production, finishing, and finally shipping of the goods.
