Sarah Turner BNI® 💥

White Associates Ltd

Business Manager

A Buyer's Choice Home Inspections

A local West Auckland pre-purchase building inspection franchised business. 

Responsibilities 
•	Support with business strategy and financial planning. 
•	Two monthly GST returns. 
•	Preparing the books for our accountant.
•	Support with any issues that might arise. 

Achievements
•	Helped my husband to build a successful pre-purchase building inspection business.
•	Designed and implemented a prospecting system utilising open home buyers.  
•	Successfully marketed our business online and in person to become established. 
•	Networked with businesspeople to establish our brand and credibility locally.  
•	Implemented new software to streamline the booking process.

Business Owner / Director

BNI (Business Network International) New Zealand

A national franchise, part of a global franchise which helps businesspeople gain more revenue through business networking and qualified referrals. 

Responsibilities 
•	Actively contribute to the strategic planning of the organisation by contributing to the targets and goals for the team each year.  This year we hit our growth target early. 
•	Prepare and distribute our national communications including branding updates, campaign releases and training opportunities. 
•	Provide EA support to our two directors, each with their own unique style.  
•	Support the wider team of local directors with advice on policies and procedures. 
•	Assist the directors to recruit, prepare contracts for, train and onboard new team members.
•	Direct the operations assistant, my full-time direct report, with a focus on:
-	Providing supervision and necessary information to facilitate her role.
-	Offering guidance and training to enhance her skill set.
-	Mentoring her for increased responsibilities within the organisation.
•	Manage and maintain our national membership database for over 2800 members. 
•	Update and manage the national blog site through WordPress. 
•	Update and manage the national website and continuously work to improve our SEO ranking.  
•	Provide technical support for our global software system at all levels of the organisation.   
•	Facilitate and MC our national bi-annual leadership team training and monthly team meetings. 
•	Ensure all documentation and materials are up to date and correctly branded. 
•	Schedule, post and update our teams on training registrations, completions, and targets. 
•	Celebrate events, milestones, and achievements actively across our social media channels.  
•	Prepare and distribute weekly education moments for presentation.
•	Prepare and maintain training manuals.
•	Manage stock and organise internal and external suppliers.  
•	Coordinate and oversee nationwide events for our leaders and members.

Operations Manager 

A national franchise for building inspection or pre-purchase inspection and reports in New Zealand. 

Responsibilities 
•	Created franchise advertisements to help sell our first franchises in New Zealand. 
•	Prepared and delivered franchise presentations to potential franchise owners. 
•	Assisted in the sale of franchises to establish the New Zealand national franchise. 
•	Implemented the purchasing systems for all franchise equipment, software, and systems. 
•	Mapped out all the statistical boundaries for each of the New Zealand franchises. 
•	Provided technical inspection training and support to franchisees in house and out in the field. 
•	Trained and supported new franchise owners to prospect efficiently for inspection opportunities. 
•	Assisted new franchise owners to create professional networks within their franchised territories. 

Achievements 
•	Qualified as a building inspector through both AHIT and InterNACHI. 
•	Designed and built the New Zealand specific software template to aligning our inspection protocols to the New Zealand Standard 4306:2005 for Residential Property Inspection.

Operations Manager

Ray White

John Goodrum was one of Ray Whites Elite Salespeople selling in the top 5% of agents internationally. 

Responsibilities 
•	Absolute discretion, loyalty, and dependability as John’s trusted Executive Assistant. 
•	A strategic partner for new initiatives and strategies, someone to bounce ideas off. 
•	Schedule and supervise work for John Goodrum’s part time, casual staff, and contractors. 
•	Recruit and train new staff and contractors.  
•	Write marketing text and organise photographs for all new to market properties.
•	Plan, prepare and book promotional materials, weekly display, and open home advertising.   
•	Prepare contracts and take offers for the sale of residential property. 
•	Process contracts to completion of settlement facilitating a smooth transaction. 
•	Regular correspondence with solicitors, vendors, valuers, and purchasers.  
•	Schedule John’s busy open home schedule (often 8 per day) every week. 
•	Call and organise follow up correspondence to all open home attendees. 
•	Developed a call calling system for the team to help John Goodrum prospect for new listings. 
•	Daily database management using Top Producer 8i and the Ray White CRM system.  
•	Attend property viewings or building inspections as needed.

Executive Assistant to John Goodrum (Elite Member)

Avondale College  Auckland

At Avondale College from January 2003 to June 2005, I worked as a Science and Chemistry teacher. My responsibilities included delivering engaging instruction to students of varying proficiency levels, active participation in extracurricular activities, meticulous lesson planning, and providing pastoral care to foster a supportive learning environment. I excelled in teaching low-ability and ESOL students, consistently achieving high pass rates. Additionally, my contributions to the pastoral care of young adults led to an early appointment as Associate Dean with an associated salary increase.

Science and Chemistry Teacher, Third Form Associate Dean

Responsibilities 
•	Teacher of Science, year 9 to year 11. 
•	Teacher of Chemistry year 12 and 13. 
•	Pastoral care and management of year 9 students. 
•	Teacher in charge of girl’s chess. 
•	Ran the Australian National Chemistry Quiz. 

Achievements 
•	Excelled in the teaching of low ability and ESOL students as represented by average pass results over cross section of students within the departments. 
•	Active participant in the pastoral care of young adults in the college environment. Invited early on in career to pursue a role as an associate dean resulting in higher salary level.

Weekend and relief administrator/receptionist while at university

I am an outgoing, self-motivated, and bubbly individual who likes to take initiative. I am both strategic and analytic in my approach with an added passion for people and the ability to work alongside others injecting enthusiasm and bringing both positive energy and leadership to the team.  

I thrive in a busy environment where I can adapt quickly and be flexible as needed. I love to be the go-to person assisting the team with operational and technical details in a calm, professional and supportive way, enjoying the satisfaction gained from achieving our shared targets and goals.

I am highly organised, know how to prioritise, delegate, make decisions and problem solve. My high level of attention to detail allows me to carry out tasks thoroughly with accuracy whilst still being flexible to changing circumstances and demonstrating absolute trustworthiness and discretion.

Franchise Owner 🔍

Sales & Marketing, 
Prospecting for Inspections for Duane Turner - Inspector, Waitakere & Surrounding areas.

Look sharp, New Zealand

•	Provide excellent customer service through customer engagement and product
knowledge and advice
•	Drive store sales performance, profitability and customer satisfaction through excellent
customer service and sales techniques
•	Assist customers with product requests or complaints in a professional and helpful
Manner
•	Assist store management to ensure the smooth running of the store including store
opening and closing procedures, processing customer payments, unpacking orders,
replenishing products, cleaning and tidying the store, assisting with stock takes, goods ordering
•	Assist with the upkeep and condition of all store equipment, fixtures and fabric
•	Complete advertising and promotional activities as directed by store management
•	Implement shop merchandising and layout as directed by store management
•	Liaise with external parties including sales representative and suppliers to order stocks
•	Actively promote the store’s products and services
•	Actively involved in continuous improvement of store policies and procedures

Retail Sales Assistant

EAM Maliban Textiles ( Pvt) Ltd

EAM Maliban Textiles (Pvt) Ltd. stands as one of the largest apparel manufacturing companies in Sri Lanka, with a global presence extending to Jordan. Employing over 10,000 professionals. The company predominantly engages in the export market, with 90% of its products destined for the USA and the remaining 10% for Europe. I adeptly managed key clients, including renowned brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Ann Taylor, Express, Calvin Klein, and Chico's.

Key Responsibilities
•	Managed a procurement team of 8 members, overseeing the purchase of raw materials from international suppliers across various countries.
•	Conducted supplier selection and contract management, negotiating favorable terms and maintaining strong relationships to ensure a smooth flow of supplies.
•	Utilized ERP system (WFX-World Fashion Exchange) for purchasing activities, production planning, costing, creating bill of materials (BOM), and tracking.
•	Analyzed costing and initiated bulk cost negotiations for each season, ensuring adherence to margin goals.
•	Coordinated time and action calendar to guarantee on-time product delivery, addressing issues and reporting directly to customers.
•	Established and maintained communication with local and overseas factories, streamlining pre-production and bulk processes.
•	Led production planning initiatives to meet delivery timelines, optimizing operational efficiency and on-time delivery of customer orders.
•	Managed outsourcing activities such as washing, printing, and embroidery, ensuring quality standards and delivery deadlines based on contracts.
•	Developed and implemented weekly inbound and outbound shipment plans to streamline logistics processes.
•	Managed customer inventories, ensuring accurate planning, coordinating, controlling, and timely replenishment.
•	Maintained clear and concise communication with cross-functional teams to align efforts and meet organizational goals.

Assistant Merchandising Manager

Elegant Knitting International

Elegant Knitting International is a modern GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified knitwear manufacturer based in Sri Lanka. With a focus on quick response and low minimum order quantity production, the company employs over 600 professionals specializing in exports to Australia and New Zealand. Elegant Knitting caters to various sectors, including Australian and NZ schools, sports clubs, Australian Defense Apparel (ADA), Dean apparel NZ, AIR NZ, and Workwear Group, with a business volume of US$40 million. As a GOTS-certified company, Elegant Knitting emphasizes sustainable and organic textile practices. Managed a team of 5 members, overseeing the Australian customer base with around 30 accounts and directly reported to General manager marketing.

Key Responsibilities:
•	Provided weekly reports to customers, updating them on delivery status, addressing concerns, coordinated the time and action calendar to guarantee on-time product delivery, addressing issues and reporting directly to customers.
•	Ensured timely delivery by closely collaborating with the planning and production team.
•	Handled pre-production planning, coordination, and tracked production to meet delivery schedules.
•	Managed sample developments, costing, and ensured timely delivery of sample projects to customers.
•	Updating the company's ERP system daily with the latest delivery status, inventory updates, and customer comments.
•	Sourced and purchased raw materials from international suppliers and managed contracts based on customer requirements.
•	Managed outsourcing activities, coordinating and negotiating with external vendors for printing, embroidery, and ensuring quality standards and timely deliveries while managing the outsourcing contracts.
•	Oversaw customer inventories, ensuring accurate planning, coordination, control, and timely replenishment.

Account Manager

Prime Spot Investments Ltd.

Prime Spot Investments, headquartered in Hong Kong, operates as a buying office specializing in apparel procurement for J. Crew USA through diverse Asian production facilities. In 2016, the company expanded its operations to Sri Lanka, initiating a collaboration with one of the largest apparel manufacturers in the region. I was stationed at the production facility, collaborating with factory teams to acquaint myself with J. Crew product standards and compliance protocols and directly reported to general manager business development.

Key Responsibilities:
•	Ensure seamless communication with factory teams to fulfill sampling and production requirements for quarterly design presentations. Initiate counter sourcing of fabric and trims for enhanced price flexibility and production feasibility.
•	Facilitate ongoing communication with new vendors to ensure the timely completion of sampling and bulk shipments, actively engaging in timely problem-solving.
•	Enhance efficiency in pre-production and bulk processes by implementing a comprehensive tracking and development tool, ensuring proper tracking of approvals and maintaining meticulous record-keeping for all ongoing seasons.
•	Efficiently manage the time and action calendar from product adoption to shipment deadlines, ensuring on-time delivery. Proactively address and resolve issues, providing direct communication and reporting to the customer.
•	Conduct a thorough analysis of vendor costing, initiating bulk cost negotiations for each season. Ensure all cost factors align with parameters to maintain customer margin goals. Maintain benchmark costing files and historical data for effective negotiations with vendors.
•	Oversee compliance with social requirements, ensuring all vendors meet stipulated standards before commencing production. 
•	Strategically identify and evaluate new vendors to diversify and enhance the supply chain.
•	Attended client meetings at the Hong Kong office in 2016.

Merchandise Manager

Li & Fung (Exports) Ltd. Sri Lanka liaison office.

Li & Fung Limited, based in Hong Kong since 1906, is a global supply chain solutions company with a significant annual turnover of US$11.4 billion. Specializing in end-to-end supply chain services, the company is a trusted partner for brands and retailers worldwide, helping them navigate the intricacies of global trade. Leveraging its extensive network and expertise, Li & Fung offers innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and drive success in the dynamic landscape of international commerce. In charge of overseeing the complete supply chain process with Sri Lankan production facilities for Lucky Brand with 6 team members and directly reported to senior VP production.

Key Responsibilities:
•	Responsibilities include managing production and product development across various categories, encompassing Women's, Men’s, Outlet Woven Fashion, which includes Woven tops, non-Denim bottoms, and outerwear for both Regular and Plus Size.
•	Ensure ongoing and direct communication with the Lucky Brand design and production teams to fulfill all sampling and production requirements for quarterly design presentations.
•	Simultaneously, initiate counter-sourcing of fabric and trims to ensure flexibility in pricing and production feasibility.
•	Sustain continuous communication and relationships with local vendors, ensuring the timely fulfillment of sampling and bulk shipment deadlines, and promptly addressing and solving any issues that arise.
•	Effectively oversee the time and action calendar from product adoption to shipment deadlines, ensuring on-time product delivery and proactively troubleshoot any issues that may arise and directly report to the customer.
•	Analyze vendor costs, initiate bulk negotiations per season to ensure alignment with customer margin goals. Maintain benchmark costing files and historical data for effective vendor cost negotiations.
•	Visited for buyer's design meetings at the New Delhi office, communicating design requirements to local vendors.

Mirrai (Pvt) Ltd.

Mirrai (Pvt) Limited stands as a Japanese-owned apparel manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka, boasting a workforce of over 500 employees and an impressive annual turnover of US$40 million., Mirrai is a key partner for J. Crew USA, specializing in crafting high-quality garments. Additionally, the company serves renowned brands such as M&S, Simple Life, Arnold Palmer Timeless (Renown), Alexandra, MAC, and Intimissimi. In my role, I have successfully managed a team of eight members, holding a direct reporting line to the Managing Director and an immediate reporting line to the Merchandising Manager.

Key Responsibilities:
•	Procure essential raw materials from international suppliers, ensuring timely supply for production, and closely monitor weekly customer deliveries to ensure on-time fulfillment.
•	Create and manage supplier contracts, negotiating terms and conditions effectively to facilitate a seamless supply chain and foster strong relationships.
•	Collaborate with logistics partners and forwarding companies to ensure the smooth movement of both inbound and outbound goods.
•	Effectively manage and maintain inventories of finished goods and raw materials, optimizing their utilization.
•	Develop pre-production plans, time and action calendars, and product costings. Engage with customers to align all requirements with expectations, ensuring comprehensive coordination throughout the production process.

Deliverables:
•	Achieved cost savings and reduced lead times by implementing waste reduction initiatives, optimizing procurement processes, and streamlining logistics operations resulting 60% sales increase

Successes:
•	Significantly contributed to procurement and supply chain activities, earning recognition as the best employer in 2010.

Daya Apparel Exports

Daya Apparel Exports (Pvt) Ltd. Papeliyana, Sri Lanka
			(Casual woven Pants/Shorts/Jeans/Skirts – Washing & Dying, Embellishments)
			Brands : American Eagle Outfitters, Tesco (Cotton, Cotton twill, Cotton denim) USA
- Closely monitoring and follow up style details,requirements with the buyer.
- Responsible for fabric and trims developments and use correct one for the samples.
- Making FOB costing for each style and negotiation with the customer.
- Capacity booking with the sample room and coordinating with them to meet targets.
- Providing correct information for the bulk merchants to carry forward bulk orders.
- Attending for meetings with the buyers and reporting daily results to senior manager.

Development Merchandiser

Toyotec Japan

Toyo Tech Company (Pvt) Ltd. Japan
			(Making parts of Vehicles, Bar code m/c, Photo copy m/c, Cameras)
- Trained production systems and quality controlling systems.

Quality Inspector

EAM Maliban Textiles

(Children wears woven Pants/Shorts/Skirts/Jeans/Jackets – Washing & Dying)
			Brands : Dillards USA (Cotton, Cotton twill, Cotton denim)
- Conducting fabrics/trims/garments testing processes according to the standards.
- Developing fabrics/trims with the suppliers and send the lab dips for buyers approval.
- Ordering of bulk fabrics/trims and follow up to get on time for production.
- Coordinating with the buying agent and attending for meetings.
- Making pre-order costing and get approval before ordering process.
- Monitoring and reporting issues and results to the senior managers.

Production Merchandiser

Timex Garments

(Women Woven skirts/Suits/Jackets/pants)
			Brands : Jessica Howard (Cotton, Sueds)
- Multi task all round training in various departments of the company. 
- Well studied on production systems and merchandising functions.

Management Trainee

As a procurement and supply chain professional, I have a proven track record of successfully managing procurement processes and optimizing supply chain operations. With a strong background in this field, I am seeking a role in procurement or supply chain management where I can leverage my expertise to drive efficiency, cost savings, and operational excellence. My critical attributes include strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and exceptional negotiation abilities, which I can tailor to align with specific roles and organizational goals.

Occupational Competencies: 
•	Strategic sourcing: Supplier selection, negotiation, contract management, outsourcing
•	Supplier and customer relationship management: Feedback & performance evaluation
•	Demand planning and forecasting: Analyze market trends, demand patterns, historical data
•	Planning and operation: End-to-end supply chain operations, production scheduling, inventory management, order fulfillment & purchasing
•	Logistic and transportation management: Manage movement of goods, transport coordination, ensuring efficient logistic operations

Professional Skills:
•	Analytical thinking: Gathering and analyzing complex data, identifying patterns, data-driven decision making. 
•	Communication skills: Clear verbal and written communication with cross-functional teams, supplier negotiations, share information clearly with stakeholders
•	Problem-solving: Identify root courses, develop innovative solutions to overcome challenges. 
•	Project management: Proficient in manage project from initiation to completion including planning, organizing resources, setting timelines, and monitoring progress 
•	Continuous improvement: For process improvement, implementing best practices, and driving operational excellence.

taplio

The Battle

Sarah Turner BNI® 💥

Randika Sanath Weerapperuma

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