Sumaira Irfan

Ph: +971-********* Email: adge1f@r.postjobfree.com/ adge1f@r.postjobfree.com

LinkedIn Profile :www.linkedin.com/in/sumaira-irfan-6956a53

Experienced Brand Development/Brand Management professional in the fashion Industry with global exposure in working with world class companies and launching apparel/accessories for the fastest growing fashion hub countries.

Started career as a garment merchandiser with a strong foundation in manufacturing and then as a buyer working for a global brand and there by learning all phases of the product cycle.Worked closely with vendors and market research team understanding the demands of the regions( Dubai/Indonesia/India) and customized the product to optimize sales.

I have played the role of an advocate in budgeting/ quarterly planning to the founders which entails expertise in functions such as Buying/Merchandising/Product Development/Sourcing and Brand Development.

Dynamic and motivated professional with a proven record for generating and building relationships, multi tasking from concept to completion, designing strategies and mentoring staff. Skilled in building brand growth, demonstrating exceptional communication and negotiation skills and taking critical decisions amid challenges. Adaptable and transformational leader with an ability to work independently, creating effective presentations and developing opportunities that further establish organizational goals.

Dec 2018- Dec 2019 Lifestyle International Pvt. Ltd., India.

General Manager-Sourcing/Buying-Ladies Wear, Private Label

Key Responsibilities: -

Product Categories incl.: Ladies Western wear apparel/Ethnic wear apparel/Lingerie/ NIghtwear/ Denim wear/winter wear.

Vendor portfolio -total of 80+ vendors across India( Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Tirupur, Ludhiana, Surat) and Bangladesh.

-Consistent R&D for new fabric sources and manufacturing facilities that complied with company standards.Cross costing to ensure competitive FOB’s were achieved.Decreased the FOB by 6% in order to achieve increase in IM% BY 2%

- Managed a team of 7 Technicians and 16 Merchandisers to ensure quality product is delivered on time(OTIF-95% every season)for trading

- Planned buying in alignment with Online sales plan which in turn was based on search tags and market demand.

-Supporting the e-commerce team with smaller runs and wider assortment by identifying the appropriate vendor base.

-Accomplished amazing online campaigns in lieu with marketing team .

-Ensured quick re-orders against fast sellers

-Accomplished best buying methods by evaluating sales and customizing product to meet territory requirements.

- Achieved to push back of inventory flow with vendors to adjust sales and stock levels.

-Conduct factory evaluations in lieu with quality department and ensure compliance based on company CoC.

-Seasonal vendor evaluation to address performance issues and take corrective actions for the future.

-Aligning to the vendor matrix to ensure that season-based planning is executed in par with the OTB plan.

-Re-evaluating department SOP’s to ensure effective and qualitative results

May 2018-Nov 2018 Kashkha, Dubai

Manager-Buying & Product Development- Women’s wear -Jalabiya/Poncho/Kaftans/Shyla/Nightwear

Key Responsibilities:

- Structured the company with effectual departmentalization.

- Instrumental in efficient budget planning and achieving targets.

- Liaised with suppliers/vendors for quality/On-time delivery/Re-orders/ Capacity booking

- Ensured target retail prices are met.

- Monitored online sales and ensured balance of sales Vs stock ratio.

-Customized distribution product/region wise to meet customer requirements and thereby increase sales.

-Total number of team members - 3 buyers and 1 designer

May 2016- April 2018 Franchise owner for Abacus to children – training for mental math

March 2015– February 2016 PT. Buana Lautan Mas Garmindo

Brand Name – RA Jeans -Men’s, women’s and Children's wear

Product and Brand Development Manager (Research and Development Manager)

Responsibilities Included:

- Launched a brand in Indonesia called “RA Jeans”. A brand developed with a famous Indonesian TV personality- Mr. Rafi Ahmed as it’s ambassador

-Brand strategy, including the setting of brand guidelines, brand vision and value proposition for short as well as long term

-Co-ordinated Marketing activities of the product around Indonesia:- via Online website, budget or value retail stores such as Ramayana.

-Liaised with department store Ramayana for “out right sales” and entered brick and motor concept.

-Assisting with product development, pricing and new product launches as well as developing new business opportunities

-Creating and managing promotional collateral to establish and maintain product branding

-Monitoring instagram and online sales.

February 2014- February 2015 PT. Lee Cooper, Indonesia

Product /Brand Development Manager (Research and Development Manager) -Men’s and Women’s wear

Key Responsibilities:

- Product development- Apparel/Accessories and Footwear -season wise in lieu with trend reports from Lee Cooper –UK

- Merchandising –Sourcing/Pricing/ordering/shipment monitoring.

-Identified improvement areas for better productivity such as : Closer to season buying to ensure trends and market demands were being captured

-Formulated workflow process for smooth transition of the product- T&A adherence was primary.

-Maintained existing vendor base and continued effort to identify new vendors.

- Marketing- Photo shoots/promotions/fashion shows.

- Budget planning and allocation based on the range requirement as well as past sales /market demands etc.

-Identified new talent and increased output of existing manpower by re-organizing structure to fit key roles that were missing

Vendor Management responsibilities included:

-Perform as functional bridge between external suppliers and internal stakeholders

-Tracked, measured and evaluated vendor performance to identify and avoid issues for future order

November 2011- Apr 2013 Pasaraya-Jakarta

Assistant Director (Technical Advisor) -Brand Development -Teen wear/ Kid’s wear/ Women’s /Men’s - Casual and Indonesian Ethnic wear( Batik)

Key Responsibilities:

- Developed ‘in-house’ brands in lieu with brand strategy, vision and guide lines

- Conceptualization of the brands to execution-Includes understanding target market/market requirements and company philosophy

-Strategizing buying

- Setting up of systems to aid buying

-Trained staff and managed budgets.

- Regularly reviewed performance indicators with sales

- Managed plans for stock levels in line with promotions and discount programs

October 2006-December 2010 -Max Fashions, Dubai-(Landmark)

Senior Buyer-Ladies Wear

Key Responsibilities:

-Analyzed trends to ensure product range in par with International brands

-Regularly reviewed performance indicators with sales

-Managed plans for stock levels, reacting to change in demand and logistics

Key Merchandising responsibilities:

-Meeting suppliers and negotiating terms of contract

-Maintaining relationships with existing suppliers and scouting for new suppliers.

-Liaison between Vendors and management.

-Working with suppliers for sourcing of new fabrics and trims and be in lieu with market developments and other brands

-Understand the feasibility of production including costs during sampling or pre-production meetings to avoid

bottlenecks and issues that could hamper quality or on time delivery of the product

- Analyzing vendor performance with the help of reports from the planning department.

- Liaising with other departments within the organization to ensure projects are completed

-Travelled extensively to Europe and Far East, to select and assemble a new collection of products

- Writing reports and sales forecasts, and analyzing sales figures

- Liaising with Territory Heads to ensure product/collection supply meets demand

-Training and mentoring junior staff.

Jan 2003 – Apr 2004 Intercraft South Exports Pvt. Ltd.

Product Development Manager

Responsible for a high-end retail store - “evoluzione” in Chennai, India (a Division of Intercraft South Exports Private Limited, Chennai, India.) -

-Accountable for the stock turnover and profitability of the store

- Marketing of the in-house brand-"evoluzione" at a national level.

-Monitored the sales of external brands and ensuring slow movers are replenished with new products for maximum sales.

-Additionally, worked on the export side of the business managing offshore clients

Sept 1996-Feb 2001: Divisional Merchandising Manager-1998

Executive Merchandiser-1997

Merchandiser-1996

Intercraft South Exports Private Limited [Garment Manufacturing and Export company], India.

- Managed a team of 7 merchandisers responsible for 21 upscale

- Supervised full cycle of production starting from sampling, production, quality, product costing, production planning, shipping,

until receipt of payment.

Education

Dec 2001

Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York.

Major: Associate Degree in Fashion Merchandising Management -GPA: 4.0

Mar 1996

University of Madras, J.B.A.S College for Women, India.

Master of Science Degree in Textile and Clothing construction

Mar 1994

University of Madras, J.B.A.S College for Women, India.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics

Date of Birth -18th March 1974

Married

Nationality -Indian

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