Arun Kumar
Senior Buyer
Copenhagen
Summary
Results-driven and highly experienced with 22 years of expertise in the Fashion Retail industry. Proven track record of successfully sourcing and procuring high-quality products while optimizing costs and maintaining excellent vendor relationships. Skilled in market analysis, trend forecasting, and negotiating contracts. Seeking a Buyer position to utilize my extensive industry knowledge and strategic purchasing abilities to drive profitability and contribute to the company's success. Senior Buyer with over 2 years of progressive retail experience. Well-versed in planning and executing daily and special inventory buys. Proficient in purchasing and procurement environments. Expert at supporting businesses with high-quality, reliable goods delivered on consistent schedule.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work History
BUYER -2NDDAY
DAY Birger et Mikkelsen
12.2022 - Current
- Responsible for overall strategic strategy and vision of the brand
- Sourcing and production responsible for all categories in China, India, Turkey and Portugal
- Sustainability on all categories by 50% -60%
- Develop strong relationships with key suppliers and provide innovative solutions to align with customer strategy
- Involving with an aggressive price negotiation with suppliers to hit the target price with brand markup and collaborative approach with design/product development teams to identify cost engineering opportunities without compromising the aesthetic and quality of the garment
- Ensure that we have the right price mix and product mix for each collection
- Monitor and review supplier/vendor performance regularly and proactively meet with suppliers to review areas of improvement
- Create and maintain vendor profiles
- Negotiated contracts with vendors resulting in an average cost savings of 15%, while maintaining on-time delivery and quality standards.
SOURCING MERCHANDISER
BESTSELLER RETAIL INDIA PVT LTD - VEROMODA
03.2021 - 12.2022
- Sourcing and production responsible for all category across 20 suppliers in China, India and Bangladesh
- Develop strong relationships with key suppliers and provide innovative solutions to align with customer strategy
- Involving with an aggressive price negotiation with suppliers to hit the target price with brand markup and collaborative approach with design/product development teams to identify cost engineering opportunities without compromising the aesthetic and quality of the garment
- Monitor and review supplier/vendor performance regularly and proactively meet with factory/mill management to review areas of improvement
- Create and maintain vendor profiles
- Ensure that we have the right price mix and product mix for each collection
- Managed end-to-end sourcing process for a global brand, analyzing market trends and collaborating with suppliers to negotiate favorable contracts resulting in a 20% cost savings and improved product quality.
BUSINESS HEAD/DMM
AKR INDUSTRIES PVT LTD
11.2012 - 12.2020
- A manufacturing company involved in the manufacture of quality garments of woven and knits for ladies, children and men for the major European countries
- Handled the Business of $34 million across the below brands with the team
- Provide effective and inspirational leadership to the team of Merchandisers & entire Sample Department through regular training, motivation, and performance appraisals in order to achieve set targets in sales volumes
- Provide technical assistance to the sample development team and ensured adherence to technical specifications and quality standards
- Plan and implement market specific promotional strategies to increase brand recall
- Follow-up with the merchandising team to deliver on time and quality goods to customers
- Ensure all project deadlines are met and followed through with design needs within the defined levels of service
- Key Buyers and Labels Handling: M/S Bestseller A/S (Direct Buyer - Denmark) for NOISY MAY, VEROMODA, JACK AND JONES AND ONLY - Both Woven & Knits -both export and retail
- B.YOUNG - Direct buyer - Denmark Tommy Hilfiger - PVH Bangalore, earlier throughLi&Fung.
Merchandising Manager
SCOTTS GARMENTS LTD
03.2002 - 09.2012
- A manufacturing company involved in the manufacture of quality garments of woven and knits for ladies, children and men for the major European countries
- Coordinate with international buyers on regular basis to understand their requirements for orders placed by them and translated the requirements into production activity
- Develop samples as per buyer's approval and new development of samples
- Keep track of goods as per production planning of products and ensure timely delivery with desired quality
- Follow up with customers for the whole cycle from development stage to bulk delivery stage while providing full support in sourcing & development, sampling & fitting, manufacturing & product processing, quality assurance & compliance
- Provide the go ahead to production unit while approving the desired requirements
- Update buyers with the production status and shipment advice
- Acquire and maintain a proper merchandise assortment while ordering, shipping, handling, and related costs are kept in check
- Key Buyers and Labels Handling: M/S Bestseller A/S (Direct Buyer - Denmark) for TDK, Veromoda, Only, Vila (Both Woven & Knits) Voi Jeans - UK - Direct Buyer Gander Mountain - USA - Direct Buyer
Education
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION -
Annamalai University
Bangalore, Karnataka 01.2006 - 04.2008
MASTERS IN ARTS - undefined
Annamalai University
Bangalore, Karnataka 01.2003 - 04.2005
DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER SCIENCE - undefined
I.R. Polytechnic
Bangalore, Karnataka 01.1997 - 04.2000
Skills
Merchandizing
Hobbies
I like to spend time with friends and practicing my cricket which I am currently doing in evening thrice a week, as well as coaching the youngsters U13-U15, in Danish club Svanholm Cricket.
Timeline
BUYER -2NDDAY
DAY Birger et Mikkelsen
12.2022 - Current
SOURCING MERCHANDISER
BESTSELLER RETAIL INDIA PVT LTD - VEROMODA
03.2021 - 12.2022
BUSINESS HEAD/DMM
AKR INDUSTRIES PVT LTD
11.2012 - 12.2020
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION -
Annamalai University
01.2006 - 04.2008
MASTERS IN ARTS - undefined
Annamalai University
01.2003 - 04.2005
Merchandising Manager
SCOTTS GARMENTS LTD
03.2002 - 09.2012
DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER SCIENCE - undefined
I.R. Polytechnic
01.1997 - 04.2000
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