ARAVINDAN PUDUPADI
Senior Raw Materials Manager
Hong Kong
Summary
Procurement and supplier management expert with 30+ years of experience in the Apparel Industry. Skilled in negotiation, inventory control, and developing efficient systems. Extensive background in manufacturing, sourcing, and retail. Experienced in working with diverse cultures and countries. Recognized for creativity by Design Directors and proficient in supporting enterprise PMU goals. Collaborated with renowned brands such as J.Crew, Levi's, GAP, and more. Strong research skills and analytical abilities for onboarding new suppliers/vendors.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
7
7
Languages
Work History
Sr. Raw Materials Manager, Denim Category Lead
Target Global Sourcing Ltd.
10.2018 - Current
- Leading the Denim team out of Hong Kong with five direct reports based in Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Bangladesh.
- When I assumed the Category Lead role, there were only two engineers based in Hong Kong, and I submitted my long-term plan to leadership and added three additional positions closer to production.
- Oversee the smooth functioning of the entire Denim Category in the global office.
- Develop fabrics based on current trends, and consolidate fabrics to minimize the number of fabrics in the Matrix.
- Responsible for supplier management, matrix health, fabric cost negotiations, risk assessment and mitigation, team development, supplier strategy, and long-range plans.
- Aligned fabric COP with Garment COP for greater flexibility, and provided shorter fabric lead time.
- Reduced the penetration of vendor-sourced fabrics to below 3% of total category volume, which not only provided greater negotiation benefits, but also helped provide supply chain transparency and responsible sourcing.
- Define the roles and responsibilities of the denim team, both in HQ and in the global office, based on the 'Right Work, Right Location' principle.
- Empowered the global office engineers to approve shade bands, which were previously owned by the design team at the HQ.
- Kickstarted the denim standards update project, collaborating with multiple CFTs, and rolled out some key updates to denim standards.
- Implemented the Vendor Empowerment Program as part of supplier elevation.
- Conducted routine quality checks of incoming materials, ensuring compliance with industry standards and specifications.
- Negotiated competitive pricing agreements with suppliers, contributing to overall cost reduction efforts.
- Reduced lead times and maintained optimal stock levels by coordinating with suppliers on a regular basis.
- Established contingency plans for addressing potential disruptions in the supply chain due to unforeseen events such as natural disasters or geopolitical issues.
- Performed regular audits of inventory records and reconciled discrepancies to maintain accurate data on raw material stock levels.
Vice President - Product Development & Laundry
Ambattur Fashions India Pvt. Ltd.
10.2015 - 10.2018
- Handled product development from their headquarters in India and managed three COPs (India, Bangladesh, and Jordan).
- A key achievement in this role is the implementation of water recycling at all manufacturing facilities, with up to 70% recycled water.
- Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.
- Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement, fostering innovation and driving sustainable growth across the organization.
- Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.
- Ensured regulatory compliance at all times by implementing robust internal controls systems coupled with proactive monitoring mechanisms.
- Leveraged technology to automate workflows and streamline processes, resulting in increased productivity and cost savings across the organization.
- Created succession plans to provide continuity of operations during leadership transitions.
Division Manager - Wet Processing, Technical Services
MGF Sourcing Ltd.
10.2005 - 07.2015
- Joined as Senior Technologist - Wet Processing, and was promoted to the position of Division Manager - Wet Processing, Technical Services.
- Lead the entire wet processing functions of six U.S. specialty retail brands, with a team of three senior technologists reporting to me.
- Coaching and mentoring the regional wash tech team stationed in Cambodia and China.
- Overseeing the product developments and production of New York & Company, Chico's, Boston Proper, Victoria's Secret, Christopher & Banks, and White House Black Market.
- Liaising with the Design Directors based in the USA on new product developments for the above-listed customers.
- Travel to the USA to meet with brands, increase our business penetration, and also work with the Design/PD team.
- Helping the design team choose the right fabric when developing new washes.
- Sustaining a good relationship with major chemical manufacturers to gain knowledge about specialty and sustainable products.
- Assuring proper management of orders in the factories and laundries by monitoring wash standard approval, shade band, and top approvals.
- Gathering excellent knowledge about most wet and dry process techniques used for up-to-date fashion denim products.
- Achievements: Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue Test with superior discrimination.
- Instrumental in understanding the factory compliance issues as part of the compliance team, and passed audits from Levi's, Gap, Gloria Vanderbilt, etc.
- Significantly initiated a partnership with factories and laundries, and educated them on the appropriate usage of various wet and dry processing techniques, as well as chemical applications, regularly.
- Actively involved in coordinating a seminar for 40 laundry factory technicians in China and merchandising staff.
- Steered efforts for implementing various SOPs in the laundries, such as Intermediate standard setup and Crocking Test, to ensure that the end product quality meets 'brand-right expectations.'
- Leveraged cross-functional resources to provide support across categories, ensured cost competitiveness, and a robust business continuity plan.
- Successfully developed and implemented cost-saving and productivity initiatives to streamline the processing function.
Corporate Manager - Wet Processing
Leela Scottish Lace Pvt. Ltd.
02.2005 - 10.2005
Manager - Wet Processing & Projects
Alpha Sales Madagascar S.A.R.L.
12.2003 - 12.2004
Manager - Wet Processing
Wing Tai Madagascar S.A.R.L.
12.2002 - 09.2003
Consultant
J.A.R. Kenya EPZ Ltd.
08.2002 - 10.2002
Consultant
Nodor Kenya EPZ Ltd.
03.2002 - 07.2002
Manager - Washing, Projects & Maintenance
KENAP EPZ Ltd.
02.1998 - 12.2001
Factory Manager
Catalogue Clothing Company
09.1996 - 12.1997
Instructor
Arvind Fashions Ltd.
02.1994 - 08.1996
Education
Diploma - Electrical & Electronics Engineering
V. Ramakrishna Polytechnic
Chennai, Tamil NaduSkills
Strategic Planning and Order Management
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ambassador
Global sourcing
Environmental compliance
Fabric Selection, R&D / Sampling
Supplier negotiation - Certified GAPS Negotiator
Procurement processes
Production planning
Material requirement planning
Waste reduction
Vendor relationship management
Supply chain optimization
Websites
Resident Status
Permanent Resident of HKSAR
Timeline
Sr. Raw Materials Manager, Denim Category Lead
Target Global Sourcing Ltd.
10.2018 - Current
Vice President - Product Development & Laundry
Ambattur Fashions India Pvt. Ltd.
10.2015 - 10.2018
Division Manager - Wet Processing, Technical Services
MGF Sourcing Ltd.
10.2005 - 07.2015
Corporate Manager - Wet Processing
Leela Scottish Lace Pvt. Ltd.
02.2005 - 10.2005
Manager - Wet Processing & Projects
Alpha Sales Madagascar S.A.R.L.
12.2003 - 12.2004
Manager - Wet Processing
Wing Tai Madagascar S.A.R.L.
12.2002 - 09.2003
Consultant
J.A.R. Kenya EPZ Ltd.
08.2002 - 10.2002
Consultant
Nodor Kenya EPZ Ltd.
03.2002 - 07.2002
Manager - Washing, Projects & Maintenance
KENAP EPZ Ltd.
02.1998 - 12.2001
Factory Manager
Catalogue Clothing Company
09.1996 - 12.1997
Instructor
Arvind Fashions Ltd.
02.1994 - 08.1996
Diploma - Electrical & Electronics Engineering
V. Ramakrishna Polytechnic