BRIJESH PRABHU

Apt- * * * *, * * * R o s l y n R o a d W i n n i p e g, MB R 3 L 0 H3

***- * * * - * 1 5 3 p r a b h u b r i j e s h@gma i l . c om SOURCING / BUYING

HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

Proactive Sourcing / Buying Professional with over 15 years of experience in retail and manufacturing industries with a proven track record of meeting business goals

Bachelor’s Degrees in Commerce and Fashion Design with certificates in budgets and financing

Executed business plans to manage budgets of $30 million USD to procure and develop comprehensive product range for 140 stores

Expertise in strategic sourcing and vendor management including assortment planning, merchandising, retail pricing, product development, and marketing and promotions

Detail oriented and analytical with proficiency in computers capable of administering projects efficiently and effectively to meet strict deadlines

Excellent negotiation and communication skills, believer in personal and team goals

Initiator, ambitious and passionate, awarded for contributions towards company growth RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Sourcing / Buying Skills

Initiated and implemented sourcing strategies to enter new production bases through detailed and careful planning, researching new markets, and analyzing cost benefits resulting in continuous annual savings of nearly $1 million USD

Developed processes to streamline over 20 vendors by evaluating factory strengths, communication history, and performance for production and delivery to establish a reliable supply chain of 8 vendors with superior quality and timely delivery

Managed detailed and well balanced product assortment and buy plans for 180-200 SKUs per season through analyzing sales, customer feedback and effective negotiations, resulting in category growth and gross margin increase

Improved delivery lead times by developing Critical Path Analysis (CPA) for product development and production through close collaboration with internal and external customers, reducing air shipments and increasing cost savings

Reduced company delivery related liabilities by closely monitoring production status and approvals, minimizing product changes, and consolidating shipments

Analyzed market trends and competition by travelling to international trade fairs, tracking industry reports, and visited factories to provide merchants and design teams with required information on key trends and insights on product

BRIJESH PRABHU PAGE TWO

Administrative / Organizational Skills

Organized and maintained a detailed vendor database with information on their strengths, payment terms, and pricing history to allow quick future reference and business decisions

Managed projects for new innovations / products by conducting in depth research on industry trends, demand and brand direction to offer fresh merchandise and increase consumer traffic

Prepared pricing reports by comparing past and current season costs and gross margins for approval from decision makers prior to issuing purchase orders and line releases

Scheduled weekly meetings with internal teams by checking availability to monitor and discuss Work-In-Progress (WIP) and ensure CPA was completed on time

Validated digital product images for online and catalogue purposes by coordinating with marketing teams, checking visual details, and pricing

Compiled and analyzed seasonal / annual sales performance using MS Excel and database programs to support decision making in range planning, target cost and retail pricing Communication / Team Work Skills

Mentored merchandising team by supporting their prioritization and motivating them through encouraging words to ensure a positive work environment while working under strict deadlines

Supported quality assurance and technical teams by creating supplier score cards, performing hands on tasks and technical packages as needed to meet CPA deadlines

Liaised with finance and logistics teams on a daily basis to ensure purchase order terms and vendor contracts were as per corporate policies and requirements

Transitioned organization back into profitability over a two-year span by collectively agreeing to go above and beyond as a team and performing tasks outside the normal job duties

Collaborated with internal teams to develop a clear and detailed communication strategy with international vendors using simple terms which reduced errors and improved approval timelines WORK HISTORY

Consultant Self Employed, Winnipeg, Canada 2016

Technical Merchandising Manager Nygard International, Winnipeg, Canada 2014-2015 Sales Specialist Hudson’s Bay Company, Toronto, Canada 2013-2014 Senior Buyer Nayomi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2009-2012 Buyer Nayomi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2007-2009 Buyer/ Designer Nayomi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2004-2007 Senior Product Developer Atraco, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2001-2004 Product Development Associate Eastman Exports, Tirupur, India 1999-2001 BRIJESH PRABHU PAGE THREE

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Certificate in Budgets & Financing Employee Sponsored 2011 Certificate in Assertiveness Skills Employee Sponsored 2010 Certificate in Presentation Skills Employee Sponsored 2010 Certificat de Langue Francaise Alliance Francaise, India 1999 Bachelors in Fashion Design Bharathiar University, India 1999 Bachelors in Commerce Mahatma Gandhi University, India 1996 VOLUNTEER

Promoter and general helper for Freedom Culture during events and festivals Sponsored a Child in Sri Lanka through Plan Canada writing letters sharing experiences Registration helper for Breast Cancer Awareness, Dubai Terry Fox Run, and Swimming Charity event conducted by Medicines Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Improved Labor Camp conditions for workers in Dubai with an Organization, Volunteer In Dubai

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