SAVIA FERNANDES
Dubai
Summary
A Professional and Retail enthusiast with experience from India and UAE. Experienced as a Supplier and Buyer put together with Planning and Organizational skills to make things happen! As there is no better work than team work. A learning that today should always be better than yesterday is a key motivation to growth in my graph both professionally and personally. With high educational aspirations, learning every day adds to individual growth, without the fear of uncertainty of an eventful job.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
2012
2012
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Procurement Manager
FNP.AE
Dubai, UAE
2025.06 - Current
- Established & Managed SOPs for the procurement department, increasing workflow efficiency, cost savings and relationship management.
- Developed risk management strategies to mitigate potential procurement issues. Established de-risking Initiatives
- Conducted market research to identify potential suppliers and evaluate their capabilities.
- Negotiated contract disputes effectively, minimising business disruptions and maintaining supplier relationships.
- Achieved cost reduction with strategic sourcing and vendor negotiations.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends to inform strategic purchasing decisions.
- Coordinated with finance team to ensure accurate budgeting for procurement activities and facilitate Vendor payments processes.
- Analysed inventory levels efficiently, avoiding stockouts or excess inventory. Monitoring supply chain activities to validate quality of goods procured
- Oversaw the creation of purchase orders, ensuring accuracy and compliance at all times and ensured compliance with company policies whilst conducting procurement activities.
- Controlled cost of goods and managed terms and business planning with supplier base for improved profitability.
- Worked cross functionally and Sourced most cost-effective new and existing products to meet category and procurement KPIs and drive projects.
- Worked with department heads to determine requirements for procurement activities and reviewed proposals to facilitate decision-making by preparing cost comparisons..
- Mentored and motivated junior procurement staff and Junior Buyers to consistently meet and exceed department KPIs.
- Selected, trained and performance-managed staff to build results-focused team.
- Ensured business continuity, using local suppliers to minimise risk of supply chain disruptions and reduce Leadtimes.
Buyer
Kayfi.com, GMG Trading
2022.07 - 2024.09
- High street Ecommerce brand Buying practice for a Local Modest wear Brand specializing in Abayas, Dresses, Knit Tops/T-shirts and High Street fashion across women’s wear categories.
- Buying Knitwear across Tops, T-shirts, Skirts, Dresses, Kaftans & Abayas.
- Range Planning and Budget Allocation with Seasonal Buying and managing OTB’s
- Core responsibilities includes MRP marking, Cost negotiations and Marketplace pricing, Fabric and Trim sourcing and Range Planning.
- Vendor Management, Cost negotiations and communications with suppliers and stake holders for Order confirmations and Furnishing Purchase orders.
- Range Buy and Assortment for Online, Exhibitions, Store sales.
- Achieving the Allocation and execution of Basic Modest wear categories.
- Regular Sales & Stock analysis. Comparative analysis and Review of Range built including Competitor and Market research. Promotions of Bundle offers, Discounts and Margins planning based on sale days.
- Achieving Gross Profits by Negotiating and Cross Costing for competitive advantage.
- Overseeing Sampling and Developments for Lead time reduction.
- Planning Launch, sale days in collaboration with Marketing.
- Travelling for Buying trips and Fabric sourcing trips.
Buyer
Apparel Group, Aeropostale
2020.12 - 2022.07
- Job included core responsibilities of Brand or Principal buying for Instore and Online sales of Apparel and Non-Apparel categories across departments for stores and Online for GCC Region.
- Category band includes Womenswear, Menswear, Kids wear, Bags and Accessories, Lingerie, Perfumes, Sunglasses etc.
- Buying included Knitwear Tops, Bottoms and Dresses for Ladies and Kids. And Knit T-shirts and Joggers for Menswear.
- Liaising with Principal Brand buyers and HOD for seasonal buys and trend reviews.
- Price negotiations with Suppliers and Wholesale buyers.
- Wholesale buying for regions like Egypt and Greece post review of Line requirements and stock distribution.
- Local sourcing of products for adaptation to regional market.
- Maintaining profitability and margins for driving PNL
- Planning launch, capsule planning and launches and product planning
- Modest buying of Dresses and other womenswear for catering to Hijab Women. Collection buy for overall store of Men’s and Ladieswear.
- Competitive analysis and market research for seasons buy process.
Sourcing Executive
Landmark Group, MAX Fashions
2019.09 - 2020.06
- Responsible for Vendor Management, sourcing and Negotiating for the Women’s division.
- Driving Sustainability initiative across all division for Fabric sourcing and Process improvements for core products of the Brand.
- Business Travel for Vendor Sourcing, Price negotiations and Order Confirmation.
Merchandiser
Landmark Group, MAX Fashions
2015.07 - 2019.09
- Competitive Analysis & Trend marking along with the Buyer
- Participated in Re-Branding of Max and repositioning by aligning Product and trend requirements.
- Collaborated with Alvanon Consulting for Product Fit requirements and Fit standardization.
- Chasing OTB and maximizing Sales and Markdowns and Trade report analysis
- Building Seasonal product range and buying NOOS products
- Cross Costing and submitting Product/Trims feedback via PLM/Emails
- Raising PO’s
Merchandiser
Sonal Apparels, Mumbai-India
Mumbai
2012.12 - 2014.12
- Job role mainly consisted of Production planning, costings and developments of samples offered for selection from buyers
- Purchasing of Raw materials and trims for production purposes.
- Maintaining TNA as a follow-up for Factory production status.
- Carry out quality assurance tests to discover errors and optimize usability.
Education
Bachelors - Business Management, Retail & Marketing
Masters - Commerce, Retail & Management
Skills
- Project management
- Negotiation & Communications
- Email etiquette & Presentations
- Vendor Management
- Commercial risk mitigation
- Contract commercials negotiation
- Global sourcing
- Stakeholder management
- Relationship Building & Emotional Intelligence
- Service-focused
Languages
English
Hindi
Timeline
Procurement Manager
FNP.AE
2025.06 - Current
Buyer
Kayfi.com, GMG Trading
2022.07 - 2024.09
Buyer
Apparel Group, Aeropostale
2020.12 - 2022.07
Sourcing Executive
Landmark Group, MAX Fashions
2019.09 - 2020.06
Merchandiser
Landmark Group, MAX Fashions
2015.07 - 2019.09
Merchandiser
Sonal Apparels, Mumbai-India
2012.12 - 2014.12