Sanjeewa Abeysekara
Whalan,NSW
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder
Lush Breeze (Pvt.) Ltd.
11.2023 - Current
Key Account Manager - Modern Trade
Upfield Sri Lanka
10.2021 - 03.2023
- Crafted channel strategy to deliver 52% value and 2% volume growth in 2022 despite of the economic downturn in the country
- Developed and steered channel specific Share of Shelf gaining campaign in 2022
- Added over 2500 new facings to the category across all MT Channels
- Strategic business turnaround with Cargills in 2022 to achieve 1B Sales - which was 50% of total MT business at Upfield
- Successful stakeholder and channel management in Modern Trade to smoothen the cashflow and manage credit terms below the norms
- Executed strategic brand partnering with key MT Channels and secured 125%+ ROI in 2022
- Successfully deployed Joint business plans/Joint Marketing plans / Merchandising and visibility campaigns with key MT channels over tough negotiations
- Designing annual trade plans ensuring effective utilization of the investment
- Hold the responsibility of providing feedback of Shopper & trade marketing activity effectiveness to channel S&OP Process
- Executing-monitoring and evaluating the performance of the plans to define actionable learnings on improving effectiveness of the promotions over competition
- Developing customer centric investment plans and budgets against channel objectives
- Directing and guiding brand activation team in Modern Trade to deliver higher level of shopper/consumer experience
Area Sales Manager
Upfield Sri Lanka
07.2018 - 09.2021
- Responsible in driving both primary and secondary sales in Central and Northwestern regions
- Consecutive value and volume growth records during the period of 2019-2021
- Ensured Business Partner ROIs over 25% while driving right product mix
- Initiated and deployed the project '100% by 25th' in the region ensuring smooth primary and secondary distribution with no disruption
- Initiated and deployed profitable business models to exploit opportunities in untapped geographies
- Successful business partner management while securing 20% of the total GT turn business
- Initiated and executed strategic business partner moves
- Conducted training and skill development programs for both internal and 3p employees to uplift the skills in Sales-Customer Service-Interpersonal as well as Entrepreneurship
Trade Category Manager
Unilever Sri Lanka Limited
01.2018 - 06.2018
- Responsible in driving Oral and Deo category of 80% business contributing channel at Unilever
- Crafted Channel specific strategies to drive the category
- Responsible in launching and landing trade category strategy in GT
- Integration & Activity Planning for the category in 2019
- Was an integral part in launching Signal Sina Bowewa Campaign in 2018 and recorded a YOY growth of 23%
- Played an instrumental role in landing 6 New variants of AXE Deodorant
- Played a key role in landing the new range of Close Up Gel Toothpaste
Senior Territory Manager
Unilever Sri Lanka
11.2014 - 12.2017
- Achieved Best Territory Manager award in 2014, while bagging the highest number of GT awards by an individual
- Played an instrumental role in initiating - implementing Perfect Stores Self Audit App in GT
- Proven track record of winning in the marketplace with visibility initiatives and enhanced trade customer relationship
- Recognised as the best sales team in 2014 with 3 National Sales Awards at Annual Sales Conference
- Recognised as the best merchandising team with 1 National award at Annual Sales Contest 2014
- Constant double digit growth recorded for 3 consecutive years in Sabaragamuwa
- Identified key growth opportunities in rural market and grew the business by exploiting opportunities of bottom of the pyramid
Territory Manager
Unilever Sri Lanka
04.2013 - 11.2014
- Identified and exploited the opportunities in untapped markets while establishing and introducing sustainable business models
- Ample experience in working in different geographic locations with different ethnicities
- Delivered 25% full year ROI via driving correct product mix & distribution efficiency while ensuring distributor financial health through managing the working capital via optimizing the BP stock norms & trade credit
- Initiated and managed credit terms and policies with potential key customers ensuring a healthy business partner cashflow
- Played an instrumental role in strategic business partner appointments and territory demarcations
- Identified and addressed key requirements of volatile channel dynamics to steer the business for a higher business growth
- Achieved 2nd Runner Up - New Channel manager award at annual sales contest in 2018
Shift Team Leader
Sainsbury's
Northampton, United Kingdom
02.2007 - 11.2011
- Handled a team of 25+ from different ethnic backgrounds/origins to drive and induce in-store sales while achieving departmental sales targets / labour budgets/wastage budgets
- Received 4 shining star rewards together with East Midland Regional Manager Appreciation award in 2009
- Shortlisted for Sainsbury's Management Trainee scheme in 2009
- Recognized as an employee with 'zero' absenteeism in 2008
- Got the opportunity to be in charge of hypermarket category store (£1.5m and above daily sales)
- Trained and obtained license for running critical categories such as Liquor and Fresh and chilled products
- Nominated and Trained as Health and Safety Lead
- Received CEO Appreciation for innovative idea proposal in 2010
- ('Tell Justin King' scheme)
- In charge of providing mandatory training for shift employees
- In charge of monthly & seasonal Planogram implementation
- In charge of maintaining cold chain compliance
Team Leader
McDonald's
Northampton, United Kingdom
11.2006 - 11.2011
- Responsible in training new recruits
- Maintained cold chain compliance
- Responsible in regular stock takings
- Mainly in charge of Chicken side of the kitchen
- Responsible in day end cleaning and stock replenishments
Timeline
Founder
Lush Breeze (Pvt.) Ltd.
11.2023 - Current
Key Account Manager - Modern Trade
Upfield Sri Lanka
10.2021 - 03.2023
Area Sales Manager
Upfield Sri Lanka
07.2018 - 09.2021
Trade Category Manager
Unilever Sri Lanka Limited
01.2018 - 06.2018
Senior Territory Manager
Unilever Sri Lanka
11.2014 - 12.2017
Territory Manager
Unilever Sri Lanka
04.2013 - 11.2014
Shift Team Leader
Sainsbury's
02.2007 - 11.2011
Team Leader
McDonald's
11.2006 - 11.2011
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