Ganesh Chavan

A highly accomplished and result-driven Unit Head with 23 years of end-to-end experience in managing large-scale garment operations, merchandising, production planning, and strategic business execution for leading export houses. Proven expertise in steering factory operations, driving P&L performance, managing cross-functional teams, and delivering high-value apparel programs for global brands. Demonstrated excellence in factory leadership (200+ machines, multi-skilled workforce), strategic merchandising, costing, budgeting & pricing, production planning, workflow optimization & process control, customer relationship management with top international buyers, product development, sampling, quality systems & on-time delivery, vendor & supply chain management, and operational efficiency, cost control & system implementation.

A strong communicator with established success collaborating with senior leadership, international clients, and multi-location teams to drive business growth and operational excellence.

Unit Head – Garments Division at GTN Enterprises Ltd (2011-04 – Present)

GTN Enterprises is a diversified apparel group with $400M turnover, operating export facilities and retail brands (Tangle, Chimp). The Tirupur unit is ISO-certified with integrated manufacturing operations.

• Provide complete leadership for the Garments Division, overseeing 200 sewing machines and 40+ staff, ensuring seamless operations across merchandising, sourcing, production, and quality.
• Own the end-to-end P&L responsibility for the unit, including budgeting, revenue planning, production costs, and profitability improvement.
• Lead strategic interactions with global clients such as Jaggy, COF, Refrigue, Henry Lloyd, Avirex, Fila, Mother Care, Kappa, Colmar, and domestic leaders like Shoppers Stop & Café Coffee Day.
• Approve all costing, product pricing, BOM creation, and consumption planning after evaluating fabric, trims, labor, and operational parameters.
• Oversee product development for Men's and Women's categories—style evaluation, fit analysis, sampling, accessory approvals, and final design confirmation.
• Drive continuous product innovation through regular market study, competitive benchmarking, and trend analysis.
• Direct and coordinate the work of Production, Merchandising, Fabrication, Sourcing, and QC teams, ensuring alignment with customer and business expectations.
• Develop and monitor detailed Time & Action (T&A) calendars, ensuring disciplined adherence across all production stages to achieve 100% on-time delivery.
• Strengthen cost efficiency by optimizing fabric utilization, minimizing wastage, controlling labor costs, and improving factory productivity.
• Formulate and execute business strategies to drive sales, increase production throughput, and enhance profit margins.
• Successfully managed production and merchandising worth ₹20 Crore annually, delivering 2.5–3 lakh pieces independently.
• Implemented effective factory systems, improving visibility, scheduling, and workflow management across all departments.
• Elevated product development and cost management practices, ensuring competitive pricing and sustained profitability.
• Played an instrumental role in managing the High-Fashion Garments Division, from development to bulk execution.
• Enhanced buyer satisfaction through consistent communication, technical guidance, and on-time execution of high-value orders.

Senior Merchandiser at GTN Enterprises Ltd (2005-04 – 2011-03)

• Led development, costing, sampling, and sourcing for domestic & export buyers.
• Coordinated end-to-end sampling from fabric cutting to stitching, finishing, and packing.
• Guided design teams on embroidery, printing, and fabric enhancement processes.
• Managed merchandise development and client communication for both apparel and imitation jewellery divisions

Junior Merchandiser at GTN Enterprises Ltd (2002-05 – 2005-03)

• Assisted with hand embroideries, pattern development, tailoring, and QC.
• Prepared sampling ranges and supported senior merchandisers in production follow-ups.
• Handled supply chain operations for 20 retail stores under the brand Tangle.

Diploma in Fashion Designing & Clothing Technology – RVTHS, Mumbai (2000 – 2001)

Industrial Internship – GTN Group, Tirupur (2001 – 2002)

T.Y. B.Com – University of Mumbai (2000)