Thania Pereira
Auckland,New Zealand
Summary
A results-driven achiever in the apparel sector offering 27+ years exposure out of which over 15 years being in a Senior Merchant role in Product Development, Production and Sourcing. Working with global brands such as Victoria's Secret, PINK, Next, Madison Maidens and Star Garments. Consistently surpassing set organizational goals, hence seen, and accepted as an influential player in identifying and capitalizing on market opportunities to drive revenue, profit, and growth.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Manager Merchandising
Victoria's Secret & Co
Colombo, Sri Lanka
09.2022 - 08.2023
Senior Merchandiser
Victoria's Secret & Co.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
09.2012 - 08.2022
- VS Apparel and PINK Intimate Bra Product Development
- Responsible for Product development of Bras, Swimwear and Glamour Sleep for 'Victoria's Secret' and 'Pink' that generates above $500 mln annual sales
- Manage all communication between design teams, cross-functional teams, and vendors
- Continuously educate the vendors on the current marketplace
- Negotiate and analyze costs to ensure accuracy
- Work on cost improvements through "cost engineer" product that meets a target margin for a product category
- Work on product launches which include overall product and raw material risk assessment
- Involved in planning, building, and following up of time and action plans considering raw materials demands, lead times and vendor capacities
- Acted as a liaison bridging the needs of creative users in the fashion industry with the expertise of Salesforce software engineers to build an intuitive and efficient interface
- Subject matter expert for SAP Retail ERP, Flex PLM and Salesforce CRM
- Was involved in training regional associates
- Extensive experience in demand planning and garment production management
- Managerial experience and values: Foster an environment that enables creative dialogue and diverse perspectives that drive business results
- It brings a committed work ethic and empathetic leadership style that incorporates various viewpoints and defines a strategic vision
- Awarded the "Shining Star Award" for the fall season (Aug - Jan 19')
Merchandiser
Mast Industries Inc
Colombo, Sri Lanka
11.2006 - 08.2012
- End to end responsibility in the Apparel and Sleep category for 'Victoria's Secret' and 'Pink' that generated above $200 mln annual sales
- Set up a graphic cost matrix and negotiated all graphic prices by working with the embellishment suppliers, saving over $120,000
- Managed the projection and capacity charts, working with brand teams, other regional patterns, and vendors to align and monitor the Key Performance Indicators
- Was part of the global SAP Retail ERP implementation team and trained associates on how to use the system
- Gathered feedback and input from users on their experience and how to make improvements
- Worked at the VS home office in Columbus, Ohio, USA for 2 months (Jun-Jul 2010) as a production coordinator
- Was responsible for communication between brand planning and all regional offices
Merchandiser
Next Sourcing Limited
Colombo, Sri Lanka
07.2003 - 09.2006
- End to end responsibility for Intimate products that generated above $70 mln annual sales
- Interacting with in-house designers/buyers in Sri Lanka and Europe for product development
- Planning critical paths and coordinating with merchandisers for quality and budgeted costs
- Placing the necessary fabric bookings and sourcing RM from the suppliers locally and internationally.Liaised with vendors and managed bulk production until shipment point with on time and order reporting
Product Development Merchandiser
Madison Maidens Inc
Katunayake FTZ, Sri Lanka
02.2001 - 07.2003
- End to end responsibility for Intimate products that generated above $80 mln annual sales
- Interacting with in-house designers/buyers in Sri Lanka and USA for product development
- Mainly was focusing on delivering on time costings for new developments
Cost Clerk
Star Garments Limited
Katunayake FTZ, Sri Lanka
10.1993 - 09.1997
- Managing all the costing for styles that were produced at star garments & the star sub factories
- Experience in work study and other vital areas pertaining to a manufacturing environment
Education
G. C. E. (Advanced Level ) Exam - Mathematics Education
Good Shepherd Convent
Colombo 13, Sri Lanka10.1992
G.C.E O/L -
Good Shepherd Convent
Colombo1312-1989
Skills
- SAP Retail ERP
- Flex PLM
- Salesforce CRM
- Training
- Costing and Reporting
- Leadership qualities
- Negotiation skills
- Grasping techniques
- New products
- Team player
- Communication skills
Certification
- Introduction to Health Care 2023, 10/23, Kalandra Education New Zealand
- Completed Yoga Level 1, 12/22, Rhythmic Yoga Academy
- Sweet & Semi-Sweet Dough Workshop, 03/08, Prima Baking Training Centre, Sri Lanka
- Fundamentals of Baking, 02/08, Prima Baking Training Centre, Sri Lanka
- Advance Diploma in English from London Business School.
- Diploma in International Airline Ticketing and Reservations – IATA
- Professional Development Program – Borderlands, Sri Lanka.
- Introduction to Pattern Production – University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
- Diploma in Industrial Studies (Apparel) – Open University of Sri Lanka.(Partially Completed)
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 07/04/73
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: Sri Lankan
- Marital Status: Married
References
- Dumindra Alahakoon
Vice President Sourcing , InQube Global (Pvt) Ltd , Ranala.
Sri Lanka.Contact +9477 768 8998
- Malike Dodanwala
Vice President Product Development and Merchandising,
Victoria's Secret & Co.,
Colombo, Sri Lanka, Contact +94 77 779 7475
Affiliations
- Traveled to Hong Kong VS office for SAP /Salesforce training
- Visited the Vietnam /Indonesia Factories for Training and Development
- Traveled to Korea for Design Visits held in VS Korea Office
- Attended design presentations and workshop at NEXT Sourcing London Office.
Timeline
Manager Merchandising
Victoria's Secret & Co
09.2022 - 08.2023
Senior Merchandiser
Victoria's Secret & Co.
09.2012 - 08.2022
Merchandiser
Mast Industries Inc
11.2006 - 08.2012
Merchandiser
Next Sourcing Limited
07.2003 - 09.2006
Product Development Merchandiser
Madison Maidens Inc
02.2001 - 07.2003
Cost Clerk
Star Garments Limited
10.1993 - 09.1997
G. C. E. (Advanced Level ) Exam - Mathematics Education
Good Shepherd Convent
G.C.E O/L -
Good Shepherd Convent
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