Job Search Status
Open to workDesired start date: Immediately
Open To Work
Naveendra Sonnadara
Kempsey,Australia
Work Preference
Summary
Highly accomplished commercial and category management professional with extensive experience across international duty-free and travel retail environments. A proven revenue and margin driver, recognised for leveraging data-driven insights, consumer analytics, and market intelligence to optimise buying decisions, assortments, pricing, and promotional performance. Expert in building and managing strategic global supplier and brand partnerships, leading end-to-end category strategies and delivering innovative, commercially successful ranges across liquor, confectionery, tobacco, perfumes, and fashion. Demonstrates a strong ability to anticipate market shifts, regulatory changes, and passenger behaviour trends, translating insight into agile, high-impact commercial execution. A confident leader with a track record of driving results through cross-functional and multicultural teams in high-traffic, performance-critical airport retail environments, combining operational discipline with strategic foresight to deliver sustainable growth.
Experienced with category analysis, supplier relationship management, and strategic planning. Utilizes market insights and data analytics to optimize product assortments and drive profitability. Track record of successful vendor negotiations and team collaboration.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mystery Shopper
Creative Activation
Kempsey, NSW
12.2025 - Current
- Conducted detailed assessments of customer service quality across various retail locations.
- Provided comprehensive feedback on product presentation and store cleanliness standards.
- Evaluated staff performance using established criteria to enhance service delivery.
- Collaborated with management to implement improvements based on shopper insights.
Commercial Manager – Liquor, Food, Beauty & Luxury Fashion
China Duty Free – Port City Duty Free Mall
Sri Lanka
10.2024 - 01.2026
- Leading commercial and category operations across high-value segments including liquor and fashion.
- Executing brand strategies and ensuring consistent deployment within store environments.
- Negotiating supplier terms and optimizing brand visibility across outlets.
Category Manager – Liquor, Food, Beauty & Luxury Fashion
China Duty Free – Port City Duty Free Mall
Sri Lanka
12.2023 - 09.2024
- Oversaw assortment planning and merchandising for key travel retail categories.
- Focused on revenue and margin growth through brand alignment and promotional mix.
Sales Manager – Chocolates and Cookies
Lassana Innovations (Pvt) Ltd
Sri Lanka
09.2023 - 12.2023
- Directed sales performance and team leadership across airport-based retail operations.
- Implemented layout strategies and trained staff to maximize conversion and customer satisfaction.
- Explored new retail opportunities and initiated growth partnerships.
Lead Buying Officer – Food & Confectionery
Qatar Duty Free
Doha
02.2023 - 07.2023
- Managed procurement and negotiations with global confectionery giants including Mondelez, Nestlé, and Lindt.
- Developed annual promotional calendars and forecasts to support sales planning.
- Defined strategic category layouts to drive customer flow and maximize shelf profitability.
Operation Product Manager – P&C/Confectionery/Liquor/Tobacco
Dufry Shops Colombo Limited
Sri Lanka
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Executed category strategies across perfume, confectionery, and liquor segments in alignment with Dufry global standards.
- Handled forecasting, ordering, and logistical coordination while enhancing vendor engagement.
- Provided leadership to Brand Ambassador teams to exceed sales benchmarks.
Operation Product Manager – Liquor/Confectionery/Tobacco
Dufry Shops Colombo Limited
Sri Lanka
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Managed pricing, forecasting, and portfolio optimization for key duty-free product segments.
- Collaborated with strategic suppliers such as Diageo, Moët Hennessy, and Nestlé to boost profitability.
- Conducted market comparisons and margin reviews to maintain competitiveness.
Product Manager – Confectionery/Tobacco
Dufry Shops (World Duty Free Group)
Sri Lanka
01.2010 - 01.2018
- Spearheaded promotional planning and implementation across central campaigns.
- Monitored pricing accuracy and conducted competitor benchmarking across markets.
Product Manager – Plantation Café
Plantation Café (Alpha Orient Lanka Ltd)
Sri Lanka Airport
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Handled product operations for the café’s duty-free retail portfolio.
- Coordinated sales, inventory, and supplier communications.
Education
Certified Professional Marketer - Asia
Asia Marketing Federation
Singapore01-2016
MBA - undefined
Federation University
Australia01-2014
Advanced Diploma - Logistics & Transport
NIBM
Sri Lanka01-2012
Level 3 Certificate - Logistics & Transport
CILT
UK01-2010
Skills
- Category Management
- Global Travel Retail
- Strategic Forecasting
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Confectionery & Liquor Merchandising
- Promotion & Campaign Planning
- Inventory Optimization
- Product Assortment Rationalization
- Pricing Strategy & Margin Control
- Brand Activation
- Vendor Negotiations
- Layout & Space Management
- Staff Leadership & Training
- Revenue Growth Initiatives
- FMCG Channel Experience
- Sales Target Achievement
Certification
- Certified [Job Title], [Company Name] - [Timeframe]
LANGUAGES
English – Fluent
Sinhala – Native
Interests
- Passionate about balancing physical health with mental and emotional wellness
Timeline
Mystery Shopper
Creative Activation
12.2025 - Current
Commercial Manager – Liquor, Food, Beauty & Luxury Fashion
China Duty Free – Port City Duty Free Mall
10.2024 - 01.2026
Category Manager – Liquor, Food, Beauty & Luxury Fashion
China Duty Free – Port City Duty Free Mall
12.2023 - 09.2024
Sales Manager – Chocolates and Cookies
Lassana Innovations (Pvt) Ltd
09.2023 - 12.2023
Lead Buying Officer – Food & Confectionery
Qatar Duty Free
02.2023 - 07.2023
Operation Product Manager – P&C/Confectionery/Liquor/Tobacco
Dufry Shops Colombo Limited
01.2019 - 01.2023
Operation Product Manager – Liquor/Confectionery/Tobacco
Dufry Shops Colombo Limited
01.2018 - 01.2019
Product Manager – Confectionery/Tobacco
Dufry Shops (World Duty Free Group)
01.2010 - 01.2018
Product Manager – Plantation Café
Plantation Café (Alpha Orient Lanka Ltd)
01.2009 - 01.2010
MBA - undefined
Federation University
Advanced Diploma - Logistics & Transport
NIBM
Level 3 Certificate - Logistics & Transport
CILT
Certified Professional Marketer - Asia
Asia Marketing Federation
TRAINING EXPERIENCE
- Merchandising Executive – Liquor, Confectionery, Tobacco Alpha Orient Lanka Ltd, Sri Lanka 2003 – 2009
- IT Executive Ajanee Trading Company, Sri Lanka 2001 – 2003
- IT Executive Khalil Abbas Trading Establishment, Bahrain 1997 – 2000