Thyaga Pathirana

Senior Apparel Merchandiser with 5+ years of experience in apparel merchandising, product development, sourcing, costing, supplier management and bulk production. Manage approximately USD 1M in annual business, 6 international buyer accounts, 50+ suppliers, 30+ internal stakeholders and 200+ product developments annually. Expertise across Ladieswear, Menswear, Kidswear, Bras, Underwear, Shapewear, Period Underwear, Schoolwear and Thermal products.

Skilled in end-to-end development, commercial costing, margin management, price negotiation, fabric/trim sourcing, buyer communication and bulk production. International retail exposure includes New Look and George, with additional new business development including Honey Love.

Seeking Senior

Merchandiser, Merchandiser, Product Development, Sourcing or Buying & Merchandising opportunities in the UAE.

Senior Merchandiser at Emjay International (Pvt) Ltd (2026-01 – Present)

• Manage approximately USD 1 million in annual business across multiple international buyer accounts.
• Manage end-to-end development and bulk production for New Look Ladies, Menswear and Kidswear.
• Lead 200+ product developments annually, including 40+ styles per season across multiple categories.
• Drive Emjay-owned product developments and present new collections during buyer visits to support new business.
• Lead fabric and trim sourcing, costing and price negotiation while balancing buyer requirements, quality and commercial targets.
• Coordinate with 50+ suppliers and 30+ internal stakeholders across R&D, technical, production, sourcing, quality and merchandising.
• Prepare buyer briefs, costing proposals and product presentations; conduct buyer meetings and follow up approvals.
• Work with fabric technologists on colour matching and prevention of metamerism.
• Develop products across bras, underwear, shapewear, period underwear, schoolwear and thermal categories, covering development and bulk production where applicable.

Assistant Merchandiser at Emjay International (Pvt) Ltd (2022-10 – 2026-01)

• Supported George Kidswear bulk production and product development.
• Managed development activities for HJ Halls and local brand Seventh Script.
• Communicated directly with UK buying teams on development, sample comments, approvals and order execution.
• Supported design packages, product presentations, buyer meetings, inventory planning and order tracking.

Management Trainee at Emjay International (Pvt) Ltd (2021-09 – 2022-10)

• Completed rotational training across merchandising, product development, quality and manufacturing functions.
• Gained exposure to end-to-end apparel production, quality control, merchandising operations and market trends.
• Developed and implemented a Supplier Scorecard System to improve supplier evaluation and performance tracking.

BA (Hons) in International Business & Finance – University of the West of Scotland

G.C.E. Advanced Level in Science Stream – Girls' High School, Kandy