Fast react
Chaminda Gunaratna
Chief Operating Officer
Colombo,Western Province
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
Walt Disney
Summary
An experienced business executive with over three decades of experience, specializing in revitalizing organizations and guiding them to market leadership within the clothing industry. Known for employing evidence-based strategies and swift execution to drive significant evolution. Recognized for diagnosing and resolving challenges, transforming companies into high-growth entities with consistent yearly returns. Proficient in overcoming startup obstacles and orchestrating turnaround efforts by establishing disciplined departments founded on operational excellence. A fair and proactive leader who inspires and empowers teams to pursue organizational goals, while challenging the 'we have always done it this way' mentality.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
6
6
Language
Work History
Director of Operations
Santic
5 2024 - 8 2024
- Establishing a $150 million sportswear and activewear business within the next three years
- Strategy involves implementing an advanced supply chain management system that incorporates AGVs concept to significantly reduce manual labor and enhance operational efficiency
- By leveraging AGV concept, the company will be able to streamline production, warehousing, and distribution processes, ensuring a seamless and highly automated workflow
- This approach will enable the company to maintain high standards of quality and consistency in its products
- The primary goal is to cater to top-tier global customers, offering them premium sportswear and activewear that meets the highest standards of performance and style
- Through innovative technology and a customer-centric approach, we plan to establish a strong presence in the international market and become a leading brand in the industry
Chief Operating Officer
Chorka Textile Limited
04.2021 - 04.2024
- Company Overview: (subsidiary of Pran RFL group)
- Appointed to oversee and implement business strategies for a $150 million enterprise
- Spearheaded the establishment of 150 product lines encompassing lingerie, T-shirts, and activewear, while also managing product development, ensuring quality standards, and overseeing technical operations
- Additionally, responsible for tracking and analyzing key performance indicators on a regular basis
- Facilitated the training and development of a successor
- (subsidiary of Pran RFL group)
- Developed quality manual and trained the team to onboard high-end customers covering PVH brands
- Distinguished as a superior business executive by revamping the operation department, ensuring that produced products are in the right place, at the right time, in the right quantity, and at the right price
- Enhanced efficiency in production by liaising with the heads of product development and industrial engineering to process automation initiatives
- Managed the weekly MIS and KPIs, planned meetings, and agreed on the action plans for deviation
- Heightened staff and workshop output by developing efficient manufacturing methods, labor utilization standards, and cost analysis systems
- MMR improvement through process study started with 1:2.9 to 1:2.25
- Introduced production sign off to improve overall plant efficiency from 55% to 65% with multiple product start from S.M.V of 2.2 to 36 minutes product
- Introduced profit centers concept to improve bottom line
- Attained double-digit operational profit within 8 years of operation
- Enhanced marker efficiency resulting in a 2% fabric cost savings through process enhancements and the adoption of efficient cutting and sewing techniques
Chief Operating Officer
Triple Apparels Limited
02.2020 - 03.2021
- Company Overview: (subsidiary of Partex Star Group)
- Established a Fashionable Lingerie Factory catering to the USA and Europe, fostering the development of brands that attained industry-wide recognition
- Curated global color and trend data for product development, effectively communicating seasonal trends
- Customized and implemented advanced apparel software, resulting in heightened productivity, enhanced customer service communication, and upgraded inventory management
- Launched impactful merchandising programs, optimizing efficiency in both selling and non-selling areas
- Managed the production process meticulously, prioritizing budgets, timelines, quality, and product specifications
- Identified and seized upon new growth opportunities through comprehensive market analyses, leveraging expertise in product/brand development and astute business acumen
- Devised and executed strategies leading to increased product awareness, expanded market share, and heightened profitability
- Introduced the Business Plan/Budget concept, driving revenue growth from USD 5 million to USD 30 million
- (subsidiary of Partex Star Group)
Chief Operating Officer
SQ Celsius Ltd.
03.2019 - 01.2020
- Appointed to oversee leadership succession planning and restructured the layout of auto knitting machines to minimize handling time
- Tasked with revitalizing operations across the company, implementing new processes, overseeing product development and quality, managing daily/weekly/monthly key performance indicators
- Maintained the company's profit margins by allowing the verification of garment breakdown with method improvement at the sample stage, to maximize the most cost-effective production routes
- Fostered efficient staff and workshop utilization through the development of effective manufacturing methods, labor utilization standards, and cost-analysis systems
- Liaised with the Group's Chief Innovation Officer in leading the company's innovation and automation initiatives, providing the entire Group with new innovations that improved the production processes
- Worked closely with the Finance, Marketing, and Logistics teams, getting a good grasp of the challenges faced and providing optimal solutions
Chief Operating Officer
SQ Birichina Ltd.
09.2017 - 03.2019
- Appointed to oversee and devise business strategies for the 100 million-dollar enterprise
- Spearheaded the establishment of 138 lingerie and 12 activewear lines, overseeing product development and quality, as well as managing daily, weekly, and monthly key performance indicators
- Additionally, facilitated the training and development of the successor
- Recognized as an outstanding business executive for transforming the merchandising department to ensure optimal product placement, timing, quantity, and pricing
- Improved production efficiency by collaborating with the Chief Innovation Officer to spearhead innovation and process automation initiatives within the Group
- Oversaw weekly Management Information System (MIS) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), organized meetings, and formulated action plans to address any deviations
- Boosted staff and workshop productivity through the development of streamlined manufacturing techniques, labor utilization standards, and cost analysis systems
Deputy Chief Operating Officer
SQ Birichina Ltd.
06.2015 - 08.2017
- Established 106 Lingerie and 18 Shirt lines, cultivating brands that gained prominence within the industry
- Collected global color and trend data to inform product development, communicating seasonal trends effectively
- Customized and launched sophisticated apparel software, improving productivity, enhancing customer service communication, and upgrading inventory management
- Executed impactful merchandising programs to maximize efficiency in both selling and non-selling areas
- Managed the production process diligently, emphasizing adherence to budgets, timelines, quality standards, and product specifications
- Recognized and seized upon new growth opportunities through thorough market analyses, leveraging expertise in product/brand development and astute business acumen
- Devised and executed strategies to elevate product awareness, expand market share, and enhance profitability
General Manager of Operations
SQ Birichina Ltd.
04.2012 - 05.2015
Factory Manager
Quantum Clothing
07.2010 - 01.2012
Factory Manager
SQ Quantum Clothing
02.2008 - 06.2010
Operations Manager
CN Body Matrix
08.2007 - 01.2008
Production Manager
Raja Busana Mahameru
10.2004 - 07.2007
Production Manager
Brandix Intimate Apparel
04.1993 - 09.2004
Production Manager
Asia Garments International
09.1991 - 03.1993
Production Assistant / Assistant Manager
Terry Lanka Ltd.
01.1989 - 08.1991
Education
MBA - Marketing Management & Business Administration
Diploma certificate - fashion merchandising
Skills
Developing business technical and quality processes
Managing performance
Implementing business intelligence strategies
Driving revenue growth
Mitigating risks
Automating processes
Aligning business with technology
Managing profit and loss
Overseeing merchandising
Project management
Ensuring HR compliance and administration
Formulating go-to-market strategies
Coordinating logistics for B2B operations
Designing new facility infrastructure
Providing staff leadership and training
Managing client relationships
Maintaining stakeholder relations
Setting up / Revamp Woven projects with automation to reduce indirect labor and improve productivity
Process improvement based on Six Sigma / lean methodology
P&L management
Setting up Business plan to drive towards profitability
Audit the facility based on Quality management system
Business set up for QMS standard
Data analysis to improve Quality and Efficiency
Accomplishments
- Revamp the technical and quality departments with training and developing the end-to-end process at SQ to onboard the process-driven rich customer base of Timberland, Talbots, Esprit, American Eagle, and Tommy.
- Top-line growth - Distinguished as a growth strategist after playing a pivotal role in increasing SQ's top line from $12 million in 2009 to $100 million in 2019.
- Business strategy - A long history of ensuring six months' order visibility through weekly capacity meetings, developing KPIs that are unique to each department, as well as ensuring business continuity through succession planning.
- Value creation - Proven record of maximizing order profitability through material saving, improving direct-to-indirect ratio by selecting the right machinery and innovation, as well as reducing absentee and associate attrition.
- Process improvement - Led the build-up of SQ's 138 lingerie and 12 active wear lines with the latest technology, and revamped factory-wide operations to reduce inefficiency.
- Cultural changes through proper training and development of associates to believe in can do attitude.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Affiliations
- Team management
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeContract WorkLocation Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybridImportant To Me
Career advancementTeam Building / Company RetreatsCompany CultureSoftware
Logic ERP
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Chinese (Mandarin)
Elementary (A2)
Bengali
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Indonesian
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Hindi
Intermediate (B1)
Telugu
Elementary (A2)
Interests
Process improvement based on Six Sigma / lean methodology
Timeline
Chief Operating Officer - Chorka Textile Limited
04.2021 - 04.2024
Chief Operating Officer - Triple Apparels Limited
02.2020 - 03.2021
Chief Operating Officer - SQ Celsius Ltd.
03.2019 - 01.2020
Chief Operating Officer - SQ Birichina Ltd.
09.2017 - 03.2019
Deputy Chief Operating Officer - SQ Birichina Ltd.
06.2015 - 08.2017
General Manager of Operations - SQ Birichina Ltd.
04.2012 - 05.2015
Factory Manager - Quantum Clothing
07.2010 - 01.2012
Factory Manager - SQ Quantum Clothing
02.2008 - 06.2010
Operations Manager - CN Body Matrix
08.2007 - 01.2008
Production Manager - Raja Busana Mahameru
10.2004 - 07.2007
Production Manager - Brandix Intimate Apparel
04.1993 - 09.2004
Production Manager - Asia Garments International
09.1991 - 03.1993
Production Assistant / Assistant Manager - Terry Lanka Ltd.
01.1989 - 08.1991
AMA - Diploma certificate, fashion merchandising
Director of Operations - Santic
5 2024 - 8 2024
Fort Jones University - MBA, Marketing Management & Business Administration