COMPANY: Leading Apparel Manufacturer

POSITION: General Manager Supply Chain

LOCATION: Colombo

SALARY : Gross Rs 850K - Rs 1 mn

OVERVIEW:

Our client is a leading apparel manufacturer seeking for a General Manager Supply Chain with experience in with a strong background in the apparel industry, specifically in procurement, production planning, and inventory control. This role is responsible for developing and managing the supply chain strategy, ensuring cost-effective sourcing, accurate production planning, and optimal inventory levels to meet customer demand across multiple channels (retail, export, e-commerce).

KEY RESONSIBILITIES:

1. Procurement & Vendor Management

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for raw materials (fabrics, trims, accessories, packaging).
• Establish and manage relationships with local and international suppliers, ensuring quality, cost-efficiency, and timely delivery.
• Negotiate contracts, lead times, and pricing terms; manage supplier performance through KPIs and SLAs.
• Ensure ethical sourcing and compliance with industry standards (WRAP, BSCI, OEKO-TEX, etc.).

2. Production Planning & Coordination

• Lead the development of monthly and seasonal production plans based on sales forecasts, capacity, and raw material availability.
• Collaborate closely with merchandising, manufacturing, and sales teams to align demand planning and ensure on-time delivery.
• Monitor WIP (Work In Progress), identify bottlenecks, and resolve delays to maintain production efficiency.

3. Inventory Management

• Optimize inventory levels of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods across the supply chain network.
• Implement systems and policies to ensure accurate inventory records, minimize excess stock and reduce stockouts.
• Analyze inventory turnover, ageing reports, and demand forecasts to improve inventory health and working capital utilization.

4. Supply Chain Strategy & Operations

• Design and implement supply chain processes, systems, and metrics that support scalability and efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce lead time, improve fill rates, and lower costs.
• Lead digital transformation efforts (e.g., ERP system implementation, data analytics) to increase visibility and traceability across the supply chain.

5. Leadership & Team Development

• Manage and develop a high-performing supply chain team covering procurement, planning, logistics, and inventory functions.
• Provide strong leadership, mentoring, and training to enhance cross-functional collaboration and accountability.

PRE - REQQUISITES:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; MBA or post-graduate qualification is preferred.
• Minimum of 10+ years in supply chain roles, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity in the apparel or textile industry with proven experience in Procurement, Planning & Inventory.