Karishmal Kumar
Glen Alpine,Australia
Summary
Results-driven and detail-oriented Planner with 8 years of experience in both Production and Merchandise Planning. Adept at improving operational efficiency and driving business performance through data-driven strategies, effective communication, and cross-functional collaboration. Proven success in enhancing forecast accuracy, reducing stockouts, and streamlining inventory management. Recognized for delivering impactful results in fast-paced, dynamic environments. Currently seeking a new opportunity to leverage my skills and contribute to a forward-thinking team.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Merchandise Planner
Yatsal Distributors
06.2022 - Current
- Led end-to-end forecasting processes, including quarterly Forecast & Fill Rate reviews, top-line sales forecasting, and in-season re-forecasting using trend and performance insights across sales and sourcing.
- Managed and optimized critical inventory settings in Netstock, driving improvements in forecast accuracy, fill rates, and reducing over/under forecasting.
- Developed and implemented lifecycle processes for product status changes—including Clearance, Pricing Reviews, Deletions—ensuring system-wide alignment and minimizing operational disruption.
- Identified and maintained safety stock levels for business-critical SKUs by analyzing demand forecasts, supply variability, and stockout risks.
- Owned the Open-to-Buy (OTB) process, ensuring alignment of merchandise plans with financial targets, cash flow objectives, and sales goals across categories.
- Led pricing strategies and reviews, balancing margin optimization and competitive positioning, with a focus on achieving financial KPIs such as gross profit and stock turn.
- Initiated and managed domestic and international order cycles, aligning replenishment with demand trends, MOQs, lead times, and supplier constraints to ensure availability and working capital efficiency.
- Built and maintained LCL consolidation strategies and GAP orders, optimizing freight utilization and mitigating potential stockouts through proactive planning.
- Reviewed and approved purchase orders, managed leftover stock, and re-phased inflows to maintain balanced inventory and reduce excess exposure.
- Partnered cross-functionally with Sales, Finance, Logistics, and Category Management teams to align forecasts, demand plans, and supplier volume commitments.
- Led post-mortem reviews and continuous improvement initiatives within Netstock to refine forecast models, manual adjustments, and overall planning accuracy.
- Delivered clear, data-driven insights and reporting to support financial decision-making, margin planning, and inventory investment strategies.
Production Planner
Garlos Pies
08.2021 - 04.2022
- Created production forecasting plans utilizing Excel spreadsheet tools and input from production and management teams
- Worked directly with production personnel to resolve production scheduling issues and conflicts.
- Reviewed inventories, tracked production statuses and ordered materials to foster consistent availability and production schedule adherence.
- Scheduled deliveries of Raw materials by specified time to begin production on time.
- Developed and maintained automated tracking systems, hard copy files and records to enhance office workflows.
- Managed production levels, identified material shortages and monitored inventory levels to meet order delivery requirements.
- Participated in sales and operations meetings to assess performance and forecast and formulate necessary corrective actions.
Production Scheduler
Lipa Pharmaceutical
04.2018 - 07.2021
- Consistently met production goals and formed action plans to constantly raise the bar to higher standards.
- Processed manufacturing orders from sales representatives through different types of production planning systems such as plan attainment, capacity planning, master production schedule and material requirement planning.
- Created and monitored Monthly Production plan that supports the demand plan
- Analysed resources required to execute the production plan.
- Flagged production issues by monitoring timelines
- Decreased production downtime by accurately scheduling product manufacturing times.
- Developed scheduling for certain tasks so that goods will be available when needed and to meet deadlines.
- Troubleshot problems that occur during production, including machinery malfunctions and staff shortages.
- Tracked progress of goods during manufacturing.
- Conferred with key stakeholders to revise plans to achieve demanding targets.
- Realigned production schedules to factor in changing conditions such as material shortages and changing designs.
- Ensuring production work orders are accurate and valid in MRP/ERP planning programs.
- Create timetables and production commitments using data from sales forecasts.
- Reporting production reports and KPIs to key stakeholders.
- Completing administration work in a timely manner.
Education
BBA - Coursework in organizational analysis, managing human resources, recruitments and selection, operations management, principles of supply chain management, financial and management accounting, corporate finance, advance corporate finance, statistical analysis, personal finance, investment analysis, risk and insurance
University of Wollongong
Wollongong, NSW01.2018
High School Diploma -
Broughton Anglican College
Campbelltown, NSW10.2014
Skills
- Analysis and critical thinking
- Data analysis
- Demand planning
- Excellent work ethic
- Flexible & Adaptable
- Forecasting accuracy
- Inventory management
- Knowledge of MRP and ERP systems
- Multitasking abilities
- Operational reporting
- Problem solving
- Proficient in Excel
- Team-building
- Workflow and time management
Timeline
Senior Merchandise Planner
Yatsal Distributors
06.2022 - Current
Production Planner
Garlos Pies
08.2021 - 04.2022
Production Scheduler
Lipa Pharmaceutical
04.2018 - 07.2021
High School Diploma -
Broughton Anglican College
BBA - Coursework in organizational analysis, managing human resources, recruitments and selection, operations management, principles of supply chain management, financial and management accounting, corporate finance, advance corporate finance, statistical analysis, personal finance, investment analysis, risk and insurance
University of Wollongong