Experience

Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC

• Sri Lanka
• Food and Beverage Services
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Vice President - Modern Trade

  • Jan 2023 - Present



Avery Dennison

• United States
• Packaging and Containers Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Head of Customer Operations & Sri Lanka Lead to South Asia Customer Service Council

  • Sep 2021 - Jan 2023

   Responsible for formulating and implementing the strategy of the Customer Service Department, the Global Product Development Department, the Customer Demand Planning Department, and the Customer Application Solution Department to achieve the organization's short- and long-term goals.  Driving and strategizing to ensure the highest levels of customer service in the region.  Leading the organization's front-end team by serving as the customer's face and attending meetings when necessary.  Lead the Product development team in order to produce the most effective product solutions at the highest profit levels based on the company's local and global capabilities to fulfil client needs to reach the established top and bottom-line objectives.  Liaising successfully with all commercial and non-commercial stakeholders to negotiate and influence customer improvements, while engaging with customers to maximize the current customer profitability through business planning and cooperation on expanded income streams.  Maintaining a high quality of performance in the customer performance metrics and market leadership through effective management of professional relationships and customer KPI attainment.  Analyzing areas of customer discontent in the operational flow and implementing proactive solutions to enhance KPIs such as Customer Loyalty Score and CSAT at the group level.  Responsible for strategically developing the front-end service delivery team to improve performance by establishing clear and accountable performance metrics. Show less



Unilever

• United Kingdom
• Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Trade Category Manager (Home Care / Food & Refreshment) - Customer Marketing

  • Apr 2021 - Sep 2021

  𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟓𝟓% 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐞. Responsible for the development of the category's trade strategy and achieving the category's national sales objectives. Integrated global and local brand marketing plans into the trade to aid in the design of trade strategies and to motivate national trade teams. Conducted continuous trade analysis and developments to facilitate an increase in market share, household penetration, consumption, and upgrading. Executed the category sales and operational strategies through unique customer and shopper marketing initiatives, campaigns, and promotions, while assuring a favourable return on investment for such initiatives.  Ensured the transformation of shopper and customer data into business-building opportunities with the use of category growth drivers and brand J2BDs. Led the entire trade component of category/brand innovation/renovation while being held accountable for the efficient implementation of trade strategies at the national field level. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to offer trade input into the sales and operational planning processes on national and channel volume plans, risks, and opportunities. Show less

• Trade Category Manager (Skin Cleansing- Personal Care) - Customer Marketing

  • Sep 2020 - Mar 2021

• Shopper & Channel Marketing manager – Modern Trade (Cargills/Keels & Laugfs)

  • Aug 2019 - Aug 2020

   Created an annual plan for assigned clients' modern trade shopper & channel marketing initiatives.  Contributed to consumer and channel marketing insights to the Channel S&OP procedure. Responsible for driving the consumer and channel marketing and promotion strategies through the JBPs of Customers.  Developed and executed shopper/category/channel marketing efforts to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) such as market share, shelf presence, and ROI. Assured that brand marketing plans were integrated with the channel strategy. Took control of the shopper and 'Cat Man' studies in order to identify challenges and opportunities and establish action plans to solve them. Integrated the Unilever Sustainability Living Plan with consumer CSR efforts to enhance the Unilever corporate image. Show less

• Key Account Manager - Modern Trade

  • Jun 2015 - Jul 2019

   Delivered all specified financial and marketing KPIs for the Government owned retal Supermarket channel (i.e., Revenue, Profitability, Retailer Profitability, Market Share, etc.). Planned and implemented the modern trade strategy for client firms to achieve mutually advantageous outcomes. Developed and implemented cooperative business plans for clients in accordance with current trade tactics and the clients' company objectives. Developed and executed customer marketing strategies to support category, brand, channel, and customer business objectives. Established and drove retail excellence through VM store layout, merchandising outlet revitalization, and AVAM programs in alignment with client business goals. Managed, instructed, and coached the channel executive and merchandising teams. Managed supply chain-related KPIs to ensure that agreed-upon service requirements were met with the client. Show less

• Category Operations Manager - Food (Customer Marketing)

  • Jan 2013 - May 2015

   Assisted the senior trade marketing manager in the development and execution of promotional campaigns and shopper marketing initiatives. Assisted in achieving all financial and departmental KPIs for relevant categories. Responsible for conducting trade analysis and contributing to the development of trade strategy and plans.

• Brand Assistant

  • Jun 2010 - Dec 2012

   Assisted the category & brand manager with financial & marketing KPIs for individual brands. Analyzed the macro and micro-markets and offered advice to brand managers on building promotional and tactical strategies. Implemented brand-related consumer marketing promotional components. Coordinated with internal stakeholders, including the trade marketing team, field team, R&D, demand planning, and supply planning, to develop and execute trade/consumer activities. Assisted in brand-building activities and coordinated with external teams including creative and activation agencies. Assisted brand managers in developing and executing category innovations/renovations Show less