Tharaka de Silva

Driving innovation in medical apparel and wearable technology with advanced manufacturing techniques.

Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka

About

A seasoned professional with 9+ years of expertise in managing the complete product lifecycle within the apparel, wearable, and technology sectors. Combining a Master of Science in Textile Trade & Technology with a profound analytical capability to drive product integrity, maintain development timelines, and manage vendor relationships effectively. Specialized in reducing manufacturing costs, overseeing high-performing teams, and leveraging market research to tune into customer preferences and competitive dynamics. At the helm of product development and innovation, particularly in wearable technologies at GamerTech and Twinery, MAS Innovation in Colombo. Pioneered the development of the world's first esports performance product range and a thermally efficient, low-energy heating platform. Instrumental in reducing manufacturing costs by 12% through the introduction of VR gloves and enhancing user immersion with experiential haptic platforms tailored for video game applications. A strategic thinker who excels in a dynamic environment, focusing on bringing groundbreaking products from concept to market with precision and creativity. This includes orchestrating the development of a novel menstrual pain band recognized for its potential by international brands and spearheading collaborations that enhance product development and supply chain efficiencies across Southeast Asia. Driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, continues to expand capabilities and push the boundaries in product development. Cultivates essential industry relationships and leads teams to achieve exceptional results, making significant impacts in tech-driven wearable solutions and market expansions. Connect on LinkedIn to explore strategic partnerships and innovative product development insights that harness cutting-edge technology and market intelligence. You can reach me at Email: [email protected]

Experience

  • Product Innovator / Technology Entrepreneur at Twinery - Innovations by MAS
    Sep 2016 - Present · 9 yrs 10 mos

    Here, I drive innovation in wearable technology, leading projects that merge advanced manufacturing techniques with strategic market insights. ☛ Innovative Product Development: Lead a dedicated team to design and development of pneumatic medical compression products and non pneumatic compression devices. ☛ Innovative Product Development: Led the design of a novel menstrual pain band, gaining international acclaim and potential adoption by a major brand. This product showcases our commitment to addressing niche market needs with innovative solutions. ☛ Intellectual Property Strategy: Conducted comprehensive IP analysis, working with industry experts to secure patentability and freedom to operate, ensuring our products stand out in the market without infringing on existing patents. ☛ Supply Chain Collaboration: Fostered strong relationships with supply partners to ensure seamless product development and innovation, aligning our operations with global best practices. ☛ Process Optimization: Streamlined the Design for Manufacture (DFM) process, significantly enhancing production efficiency and reducing costs, demonstrating my focus on optimizing operational workflows. ☛ Cost Negotiation: Successfully negotiated a development cost reduction of 85% for a proof of concept with US-based companies, reflecting my strong negotiation skills and cost management. ☛ Advanced Manufacturing Integration: Utilized cutting-edge additive manufacturing techniques, including SLS, SLA, FDM, and DLP, for rapid prototyping and faster time-to-market for new concepts. ☛ Strategic Partnerships: Expanded operational capabilities through strategic partnerships with suppliers in Southeast Asia, boosting productivity and performance.

  • Chief Technology Architect at GamerTech™
    Feb 2018 - 2025 · 7 yrs

    At GamerTech, I lead the development and strategic integration of cutting-edge wearable technologies, significantly advancing our product offerings and establishing new industry standards, particularly in esports and gaming applications. ☛ Innovative Product Development: Orchestrated the development and integration of innovative strategies within the Wearable Pillar at Twinery, significantly enhancing our company’s market position through pioneering product advancements. ☛ Team Leadership and Project Management: Provide strategic oversight and guidance to a dedicated team, effectively delegating tasks and ensuring coordination to meet project objectives within set timelines and budgets. ☛ Pioneering Industry Advancements: Spearheaded the creation of the world’s first esports performance product range and a thermally efficient, low-energy heating platform, setting new benchmarks in the wearable technology industry. ☛ Cost Reduction and Engineering Solutions: Enhanced product performance and reduced manufacturing costs by 12% through the innovative development of VR gloves, employing advanced engineering techniques to improve both cost-efficiency and functionality. ☛ Experiential Technology Development: Oversaw the development of an experiential haptic platform for garments tailored to video game applications, meeting tight deadlines and significantly uplifting user immersion through meticulous research and integration. ☛ Aesthetic and Functional Innovation: Engineered an improved, thin, and flexible A-RGB lighting platform for direct apparel integration, enhancing the aesthetic and functional qualities of wearable technology products.

  • Co-Founder at A Gourmet Story
    Oct 2018 - Apr 2021 · 2 yrs 7 mos

    I co-founded an innovative culinary venture dedicated to showcasing the rich flavors of Sri Lanka through fusion cuisine. Our mission was to make international cooking accessible in traditional Sri Lankan kitchens and to share the joy of Sri Lankan home cooking worldwide. ☛ Culinary Innovation and Fusion Cuisine: Developed creative fusion dishes that blended Sri Lankan culinary traditions with global flavors, bringing a taste of Sri Lanka to the world. My role involved continuously experimenting and refining recipes to cater to both local and international palates. ☛ Content Creation and Culinary Education: Through our popular blog, shared valuable cooking tips and insights, helping local enthusiasts and global foodies understand and embrace the techniques of Sri Lankan cooking. Our content focused on making complex dishes accessible and finding exotic ingredients locally. ☛ Community Engagement and Skill Sharing: Fostered a community of food lovers by sharing our experiences and ideas about home cooking in Sri Lanka. Our platform became a resource for anyone interested in cooking great food at home, emphasizing user-friendly approaches and practical tips. ☛ Strategic Marketing and Brand Development: Utilized skills in marketing, social media communications, and business strategy to promote our culinary brand effectively. Engaged with a diverse audience online, growing our follower base and enhancing brand visibility and engagement.

  • Buyer / Online Sales Manager at One and Only e.K.
    Dec 2014 - May 2016 · 1 yr 6 mos

    As Buyer / Online Sales Manager, I combined my expertise in fashion buying with robust online sales strategies to significantly enhance our product offerings and boost sales, setting a high standard for seasonal collections and customer engagement. ☛ Strategic Fashion Buying: Leveraged an in-depth understanding of fashion trends to strategically plan and introduce seasonal collections. This initiative not only set a company-wide gold standard but also substantially influenced our product offerings and enhanced our brand reputation. ☛ Supply Chain Efficiency: Managed order handling from EU suppliers, optimizing the supply chain to attain maximum profitability and efficiency, ensuring that operations were cost-effective and met market demands. ☛ Sales Growth and Online Strategy: Implemented a comprehensive online sales and marketing strategy that increased overall sales by over 50%. My approach involved analyzing market trends and deploying best-in-class tactics to enhance online visibility and customer engagement. ☛ Focus on Core Competencies: Specialized in key areas including quality, new trends, ethical products, and friendly service. This focus attracted an unprecedented number of new customers to our website, significantly amplifying brand engagement. ☛ Email Marketing Innovations: Innovated and formalized an email marketing campaign that effectively collected customer data. Personalized newsletters and promotions were used to nurture customer relationships and support, boosting customer loyalty and satisfaction. ☛ Client Management: Successfully managed relationships with key clientele, including Tokyo Laundry, Knago, and Londsdale, ensuring their needs were met and contributing to sustained business growth.

  • Product Developer/Quality Controlling at navabi GmbH
    Jun 2014 - Nov 2014 · 6 mos

    During my internship at Navabi GmbH, I focused on maintaining high standards of quality assurance and utilized data analytics to support strategic decision-making in the manufacture-to-order (MTO) apparel sector. ☛ Quality Assurance: Upheld the highest standards of quality assurance for MTO apparel, ensuring product uniformity and client satisfaction. My efforts helped to maintain consistent quality in production, crucial for meeting customer expectations and enhancing brand reputation. ☛ Data Analysis and Decision Support: Skilled in advanced Microsoft Excel, I leveraged data analysis techniques to extract actionable insights that supported data-driven decision-making. This role involved analyzing production and quality metrics to identify trends and improvement opportunities. ☛ Apparel Testing Expertise: Served as a subject matter expert in apparel testing, providing critical expertise to ensure product integrity and compliance with industry standards. My contributions were vital in sustaining the high quality and reliability of products.