Chameera Gayan Palihakkara
Mississauga,ON
Summary
An astute business professional with over 13 years of experience to assist companies in building dependable supply networks for uninterrupted service in purchasing, product development, marketing, retail, and wholesale trading. Motivated individual with experience in customer service and sales. Skilled in building customer relationships and understanding customer needs. Strong communication and interpersonal skills for providing superior customer service. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager to secure entry-level position.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Procurement Manager
Ceylon Beverage International PVT LTD
02.2020 - 08.2023
- Analyze costs, negotiate contract details, and offer strategies and solutions to better manage costs on supplies and vendor services
- Managing inventory and timely re-order to make sure of smooth functioning of production
- Tracking local and imported orders and making sure to in-house all materials timely manner
- Plan, organize, direct, control, and evaluate daily operations
- Overlooking the main warehouse administration activities
- Hire, train, direct, and motivate staff
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers to obtain favorable terms and pricing.
- Resolved invoice and payment issues to facilitate prompt payment to suppliers.
- Monitored and managed the procurement budget to control costs.
- Developed and implemented procurement policies and procedures to enhance compliance with company standards.
- managed the supply chain process, from order placement to delivery, to facilitate on-time and accurate fulfillment.
- Developed and maintained relationships with key suppliers for smooth communication and to meet required expectations.
- Analyzed supplier contracts to confirm compliance with company policies and procedures.
Head of Sales and Marketing
Urban Sky Holdings PVT LTD
11.2017 - 01.2020
- Marketing the porcelain and ceramic tiles, sanitary ware, bathroom faucets, showers, and bathroom accessories
- Driving sales through the project team and dealer channel
- Responsible for ROI, bottom-line profitability, and profit margins for all products
- Ensure the achievement of top-level and bottom-level financial figures annually
- Evaluated market data to develop and create business strategies and marketing plans.
- Suggested innovative ideas to increase sales and improve the customer experience.
- Analyzed sales and marketing data for improved strategies.
- developed a positive, performance-based internal sales and marketing culture to include mentoring staff.
Product Manager
Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC
10.2013 - 10.2017
- Driving sales through retail showrooms, project teams, dealer channels, and cross-functional divisions to increase brand turnover
- Initiate product additions to current portfolio; enhancing the total turnover of Bathware
- Increasing brand visibility through retail showroom merchandising and display arrangement
- Conduct comprehensive training programs for sales staff to enhance product awareness, and in turn convey product information to customers in an attractive manner
- Reviewed sales, customer concerns, and new opportunities to drive business strategy at weekly planning sessions.
- Documented user stories, specifications, and product features into detailed work order to communicate across teams and build mandatory requirements.
- Communicated effectively with team members to deliver updates on project milestones and deadlines.
Key Account Manager
Brandix Textile Limited
07.2012 - 09.2013
- Sales & Marketing
- Handling the account of NEXT, Norlanka, and two other European accounts; achieving a minimum of 4 million yards per annum
- Engage in new quality development and counter sources to capture new business
- Build up a rapport with vendors to pass bulk orders and settle down payments efficiently
- Built and maintained strong client relationships to drive business growth.
- Secured high-value accounts through consultative selling, effective customer solutions, and promoting compelling business opportunities.
Territory Sales Manager
Unilever Sri Lanka
08.2010 - 07.2012
- Communicated regularly with territory, regional, and strategic managers for daily support and strategic planning for accounts.
- Monitored customer buying trends, market conditions, and competitor actions to adjust strategies and achieve sales goals.
- Worked diligently to resolve unique and recurring complaints, promote loyalty, and enhance operations.
- Drive team revenue totals by bringing in top sales numbers.
- Grow businesses by adopting a market expansion strategy to serve different customer needs.
Territory
Unilever Sri Lanka
- Led a team of 6 sales representatives and 7 merchandisers to achieve the monthly target of LKR 35 million
- Directly report to the area sales manager for the primary and secondary target and Unilever global parameters and make sure to maintain such parameters and achieve them in a more appealing way
- Conducted routine performance evaluation of SRs and MRs, flowed by comprehensive training in collaboration with the Training Manager and coordinating promotions based on delivered results
Trainee Merchandiser
Miami Export PVT LTD
08.2009 - 07.2010
- Bulk for M & S
- Handling M&S Kids Wear Departments All T78, T74 & T88
- Direct communication with Sri Lankan RO and UK M&S office team for approvals
- Sourcing fabrics with international and local suppliers & Trims
- Directly communicating with the factories regarding issues and progress of the ongoing bulk production
- Weekly follow-up of the shipment plan and communication with the RO for adjustments and extensions
- Removed damaged, out-of-code, not-in-set and discontinued items from displays.
- Answered customer questions regarding store merchandise, department information, and pricing.
Education
MBA - Marketing
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Cardiff, UK10.2015
Graduate Certificate - Global Business Management
Fleming College
12.2024
Bachelor of Business Administration -
University of Colombo
2010
Postgraduate Diploma - Marketing
Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing
2008
Skills
- Market Understanding
- Export Compliance
- Advocacy Understanding
- Sales Leadership
- Personal Sales
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Operational Processes
- Customer Support
Affiliations
ISO 14001, ISO 9001, FSSC Framework Training
Optimization of supply chain management and effective handling of supplier base
Effective management of waste and total cost of ownership
Serving Clients and key accounts
Overcoming striving market competition and delivering sustainable solutions
The Fundamental of Marketing, Sales Management and Product Development, Member of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (Since 2008)
EXTRA CURRICULARS
Member of University Cricket Team (Under 23- 2007 / 2008)
Member of School Cricket Team (Under 13 to 17)
Participated in inter-house Volley Ball matches and Athletic events
Timeline
Procurement Manager
Ceylon Beverage International PVT LTD
02.2020 - 08.2023
Head of Sales and Marketing
Urban Sky Holdings PVT LTD
11.2017 - 01.2020
Product Manager
Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC
10.2013 - 10.2017
Key Account Manager
Brandix Textile Limited
07.2012 - 09.2013
Territory Sales Manager
Unilever Sri Lanka
08.2010 - 07.2012
Trainee Merchandiser
Miami Export PVT LTD
08.2009 - 07.2010
Territory
Unilever Sri Lanka
MBA - Marketing
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Graduate Certificate - Global Business Management
Fleming College
Bachelor of Business Administration -
University of Colombo
Postgraduate Diploma - Marketing
Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing
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