Gajabahu Basnayake

At Enovis France, I focused on the research and development of medical compression socks, ensuring they met stringent European medical standards. My role involved testing materials, establishing quality parameters, and coordinating projects to guarantee timely market entry. Collaborating with production teams, I facilitated a seamless transition from concept to bulk manufacturing, enhancing product reliability and efficiency.

Responsible for the development of Medical compression socks aligning with the approved medical requirements with Merz circular knitting machines. Sourcing the right yarn to create the best available products in the medical compression socks market. Generating engineering and technical documentation to facilitate product development collaboration. Creating protocols to ensure that all the developments are done aligning with the european medical requirements. conducting tests , analyzing the test results and control the developments and homologation for production.

At Decathlon International, I specialized in the development of synthetic knit fabrics tailored for Solar protection, Chlorine resistance , Moisture management with sustaianble development methods . My role involved creating technical specifications and overseeing quality control processes while collaborating with a global network of suppliers. ( 16 suppliers globally , Including China, Thailand , Vietnam, Sri lanka, Italy , Turkey & Tunisia) . This experience honed my skills in textile engineering and project management, ensuring high-quality product development.

Conducting research to identify and evaluate new technologies and concepts. Designing and implementing quality control processes to facilitate customer satisfaction. Responsible for developing eco designed stretch and rigid synthetic knit components for aquatic sports. ( Solar protection, Chlorine resistance, Moisture management, Reduced carbon foot print) Launching the developments & duplications with 16 suppliers globally ( China, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri lanka, Turkey, Tunisia & Italy ) Managing the supplier panel , following up the developments with regular meetings, providing technical support on developments and production,technical process analysis of warping, knitting and dyeing, align the supply chain with developments. Analyzing the test reports and ensuring the quality and conformity of the components prior to the deadline of each season, Color control and validation, Project follow up on quality and user benefits of components. Sourcing the right yarn for the components . Led cross-functional teams to streamline production processes and improve operational efficiency. Implemented quality control measures to identify defects and improve overall product quality. Researched emerging textile technologies to drive innovation within product development. Conducted thorough analysis of fabric properties to ensure compliance with industry standards. Developed innovative textile solutions to enhance product performance and durability. Tested fabrics under different conditions to determine durability and suitability for various applications. Resolved technical issues promptly, ensuring minimal disruption to production schedules. Collaborated with designers to create functional and aesthetically pleasing textile products. Developed new textile manufacturing processes to improve product quality. Managed project timelines and resources effectively to meet product launch deadlines. Problem solving , identifying root causes and proposing effective solutions.

My main duty in this role is to develop the fabric togethe with the supplier panel in Sri lanka in collaboration with the technical team and the Sub sports brands of Decathlon . I was responsible for the development , quality controlling and homologation of the components and make sure the bulk production is running smoothly . For every season I did the price negotiation with the suppliers for each fabric that I developed . I was responsible for Color developemnt and controling of the fabric . also organising audits for quality , HR and environmental permeters. I was the lab relay and the color relay for the country which gave me extra technical exposure .

Launch the developments and the duplications of the components in the local supplier panel and follow them, test them and control them before submitting them to the responsible component engineer. Price negotiation, Plan the environment, Quality, HR assessments of the local supplier panel and ensure that they are within the requirements of the brand. Lab relay, Color relay of the country. Validated Color trainer. Implemented quality control measures to ensure compliance with industry standards and specifications. Led production team to achieve operational excellence through streamlined workflows and effective communication. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize inventory management and reduce waste. Monitored production processes to identify areas for improvement and implement best practices. Scheduled and coordinated production activities to meet project deadlines and customer requirements. Fostered a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging team feedback and innovative solutions. Achieved excellent customer satisfaction rates with quality assurance strategies. Facilitated smooth communication between different departments. Improved quality control by implementing rigorous checks. Mitigated potential risks through careful project planning and execution. Handled tight deadlines whilst maintaining high standards of workmanship. Maintained clean, organized working areas to create positive, productive environments with minimal risk. Troubleshot issues and delivered corrective action quickly to prevent production delays. Identified process failures and highlighted opportunities to streamline production operations. Managed product tests to verify functionality and quality. Responsible for all the actions in key accounts, from component development, Print and lab dip development to delivering the bulk orders on time to the finished good suppliers. (Decathlon, Sloggy, Nike.

My major role is to have a close relationship with the customer and update them on a regular basis on the orders they have placed with the company and to co-ordinate with them regularly to provide the best customer service to ensure all their expectations are met on given deadlines. All the information required by the customer and required by the company is provided through me and I do communicate the information between the customer and the company. This is including the new orders, capacity reservations, new developments, lab dips, samples and trial orders. Handle customer visits are also a major role in my KPI and there I do co-ordinate the factory tours, presentations and briefing the customers on the company and the production process and the products. I also coordinate with the manufacturing plants regularly to get updates on the production and the delivery status of the required raw materials to make sure that the shipments are done on time as customer has requested. Other than that I’m involved in planning the annual and monthly sales budget based on the customer projections and inform the planning in order to go ahead the production plan accordingly. This is done in every month. All the system work starting from receiving an order until it is shipped is done through SAP system including creating material, sales orders, stock reports, delivery reports so I have a really good knowledge working in SAP based transactions.

Before joining MAS Fabric Park I worked as a Merchandiser involved with both Development and Bulk for Lands’ End swimwear, at Linea Aqua (pvt)Ltd, an exclusive swimwear manufacturing plant belongs to MAS Holdings, one the best apparel company in Sri Lanka. Before moving to Lands’ End account I was working for Victoria’s secrets swim wear account in Linea Aqua as a Product development Merchandiser. The major products that I’m involved with are 2 piece swimwear such as bikinis, push-up bra tops, bandeaus, halters, tankinis, hiptinies, swimwear ,bottoms, rash guards and one piece suits. My main job role was to have a good relationship with the customer and get the FG orders, confirm the deliveries after planning with the production Planners, get the raw material on time to the manufacturing plant in order to start the production, update the customer on regular basis on the production, coordinate the customer and the plan in order to solve problems when needed and ship the goods on time as committed to the customer. I was engaged in SAP based system work such as material creation, costings of the products and material developments, also on the approvals for all the raw materials according to the customer standards ,following up the test reports for raw materials and the garments, price negotiations with the suppliers to ensure that the company gains maximum profit from each garment we produce, BOM creation ,raising Purchase orders for samples and get the raw materials in on time to make sure that all the samples meet the customer expected deliveries, etc..

Before I got the internal transfer to Linea Aqua, I worked as a Planning and Lean manufacturing executive in the first trial run of the Production controlling unit (PCU) for Victoria’s secret PINK and Logo accounts, at Unichela (pvt)Ltd, MAS Intimates, Linea clothing Division, Kandy, which is an SBU belongs to MAS Holdings. As this is a manufacturing plant, other than the bulk merchandising role I played a role in production planning and production controlling, which are concepts of the Toyota Production System (TPS). There I was involved in both customer (Victoria’s Secrets) and the suppliers co-ordination and communication while co-ordination the manufacturing plant applying TPS and lean manufacturing concepts. Before I got my first internal transfer to Linea clothing planning team, I worked as a Bulk /Procurement Merchandiser at Unichela (pvt) Ltd, MAS Intimates, Ratmalana (MAS Holdings) ,where I dealt with the DBA (Lingerie –Both Bras & Panties ) customer (France, Spain, Italy and Europe union) which entails sub brands such as FILA, PRINCESA, PLAYTEX, DIM, LOVABLE. I have involved in both ‘Style Management’ and ‘Material Management’ and dealt with suppliers from the USA, EU and ASIA (China, India, Indonesia, Philippines).

Employed at the Penguin Group of Companies as a Trainee Merchandiser handling brands such as Tesco, Gymboree etc. there I have handled Knitted outerwear and casualwear for both women & kids.

Biological Sciences, Molecular biology,Biochemistry,Basic Management,Basic Economics

Botany,Zoology,Chemistry,Physics