Bala Yoka

An astute professional with a round 22 years of experience in Apparels / Lingerie Business Development, International Sales, Buying, Merchandising, Sourcing / Supply chain and Product Development. Demonstrated abilities in implementing strategies for augmenting business, identifying and penetrating new market segments & promoting brand for business excellence. Analyzing business potential and implementing plans to drive sales, supplementing turnover and achieving desired targets.

Identifying the prospective clients, generating business from the new and existing accounts and achieving increased sales growth. Expertise in maintaining healthy business relationships with customers to achieve maximum business at all levels of distribution. An effective communicator with proven team building & management abilities.

Drive innovative strategies to ensure the organizational goals are achieved despite everyday challenges and impediments.

Head – Buying at Tharanco Group (2025-04 – Present)

Manager - PMC (Planning & Merchandising Control) at PT Hoplun Boyolali (2022-05 – 2025-02)

Merchandising Manager at PT Busana Remaja Agracipta (2019-11 – 2022-04)

Managing Director at Aroma Banana (2015-05 – 2019-10)

• Optimized the business turn over from $4 million to $8 million.
• Built a strong customer relationship over the years.
• Led the Supply Chain department in reducing the cost of raw materials sourced from various countries including China, Hongkong, Italy, Spain, India, France, Thailand and Taiwan.
• Headed a project of achieving fabric savings prior to ordering, resulting in annual savings of $200,000

Export Sales Manager at Sharadha Terry Products Ltd (2011-01 – 2015-03)

• Mapping and Prospecting of New customers in USA Market.
• Ascertaining the smooth execution of the orders, new business generation from these clients by identifying opportunities and developing the right products.
• Managing the "Micro cotton" brand and giving the right suggestions to keep up this Brand value and keeping abreast with the fast-changing lifestyles.
• Instrumental in submitting and analyzing market intelligence reports which directed the course of our company's business.
• Finalizing the SKU wise sales strategy and arriving the product positioning.
• Proposing the core retail program at various retail price points.
• Presenting of developed fashion lines to the Buyer's for every season.
• Analyze the reasons behind the sales numbers and finalizing the strategy for exceeding the sales targets.

Merchandiser-Trainee / Merchandiser / Senior Merchandiser at Ambattur Clothing Ltd (2004-06 – 2010-12)

• Reviewing with sampling by bringing the fabrics/trims/accessories in time to get sample approvals from buyers.
• Coordinating with accounts department on weekly / monthly budgeting allocation.
• Closely monitoring the T&A and WIP and Ensuring all materials are getting in house before PCD.
• Negotiating with suppliers on MOQ/MCQ Surcharges / prices with Fabric / Trims/ Accessories suppliers.
• Closely monitoring the ETD/ETA of the materials to ship the goods within the stipulated time.
• Doing post shipment analysis for all the orders.

Master of Fashion Technology in Fashion Technology – National Institute of Fashion Technology (2010)

Post Graduate Diploma in Garment Manufacturing Technology in Garment Manufacturing Technology – National Institute of Fashion Technology (2004)

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (1999)