Group Head of Commercial

• Mar 2021 - Present

Based in Grimsby in North East Lincolnshire, The Sylvester Keal Group has over 30 years experience in the professional kitchens & laundry business. Providing a wide range of commercial kitchen services including commercial kitchen equipment, commercial kitchen installation, catering supplies and catering equipment repairs. Door to door delivery service toSeveral sectors throughout the Nationwide. We supply Nursing homes, Schools, Colleges, Hospitality ,NHS trusts, Restaurants, Hotels, Golf clubs ,Pubs and Charitable organisations. Next day delivery from the UK's leading food service equipment and Chemicals distributor. Industry leading commercial kitchen designincluding rental of all types of commercial kitchen and laundry equipment from a dedicated and prosseional team with service your would expect from a family business. Why not call one of our friendly team today and discuss your requirements on 01472 352033 or Contact me direct Show less

Director

• Nov 2020 - Present

What Is Eledecks? Eledecks digitally transforms your HR across the business. Supporting HR teams, managers, and employees with intuitive and collaborative dashboards. Includes employee self-service, Clever Document Management, Payroll, Auto-Enrolment, Attendance Management, HR /EL Guides, Forms and Letters (Toolkits), GDPR Employee Request Management, Case Management for HR routines, Event Renewals Management (Licences & Standards), Diaries, Checklists, Notifications, Alerts, Support Centre, Mobile Apps. Eledecks is a leading cloud-based, HRO Compliance Management Portal, and support service. Eledecks offers a SaaS subscription service including a wide range of digital tools and service solutions which whisks away the time-consuming admin work to become your real-time HR database. There are always regular updates including releases on our blog at www.eledeckshr.com We also include popular iOS and Android mobile apps for managers and staff, plus simple to use e-signatures and informative scheduled reports keeping managers bang up to date. SHINE - Behind the Scenes of Agile Metrics !!!!!! What: Shine collects behavioural data about agile teams during online whiteboard events, such as Retrospectives etc. This data is calculated to indicate the collective agility level of each team. It is also linked to OKRs which enables Shine to calculate the alignment of outputs with intended outcomes. Why: Shine is expected to be an invaluable tool for those seeking to scale agility exponentially in large organisations. The fact that Shine identifies and scores collective team agility in real time is useful for several reasons: for example, identifying agile teams who can mentor other teams to increase the quality (this constant evolution also has the effect of keeping naturally agile and innovative teams stimulated); Second, the growing agile team map provides the social proof required to influence the organisational culture. Show less

Craig O Connor Consulting

• Aug 2020 - Present

Track Record of Building Highest Performing Organization Institutions I am an executive with a rich background in leadership, strategic planning, strategy execution, organizational improvement, program management, and operations. A FMCG Consultant providing Insight as well as assisting organisations achieve step changing growth. I work with you to deliver improvement to your sales, market share and profitability through insightful strategies which ensure the consumer, shopper and retailer are positioned for your growth Show less

Owner /Director

• Jan 2016 - Present

Better Wholesale Limited specializes in providing tailored solutions to the Wholesale and independent, retail sectors. Craig o Connor leads Better Wholesale Consultancy team and spearheads strategic retail/ wholesale consultancy projects for clients throughout the UK; creating strategies to help clients to maximize their "customer delight" potential 36 years experienced senior director with an outstanding track record of commercial wholesale, retail achievement. An entrepreneurial, strategic thinker with an extensive background in delivering sustainable growth independent retail and wholesale businesses.Expert knowledge of Technology experts and agents, business development, buying, operations, managing supplier relationships, wholesale turnaround, project management, and IT sourcing. A natural and proven leader with extensive experience in working across a wide range of cultural and business needs. • Consultancy business working with several Wholesale companies within the UK dealing with many wholesalers in Chilled, Ambient and foodservice sectors as well as I.T • Providing strategic approach, management mentoring and assessment through to accountability working with stakeholders interpreting their management accounts and driving solid business solutions • Providing sound communications services to various types of business which effectively engages employees and managers proactively focussed on customers and service improvement solutions • Developing sales strategy, developing new routes to market-creating customer pipelines, and I.T driving initiatives• Working with stakeholders developing sales budgets, business plans, marketing advice professionally one that soundly engages cultural and business change • FWD Public presenter and speaker engaging with industry leaders as well as sitting on the FWD Council providing insight to the industry • Full project management from software implementation to depot relocations Show less

Managing Director

• Sep 2017 - Aug 2020

Managing Director - Wholesale £324m

• Feb 2015 - Jan 2016

Spearheading Blakemore Wholesale entails the cash & carry arm of A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd. The division operates from 14 cash&carry and delivered depots serving multiple FMCG channels from Retail to Foodservice. The UK's 3rd largest wholesaler with a total annual turnover of £1.2billion full P@L responsibility, strategically driving the business to its overall 20/20 vision and core values. Blakemore Wholesale is the largest member of the Landmark Group and employs more than 680 people with sales revenue exceeding £300m, Key responsibilities. Managing a senior team within a UK distribution company in food across multi-site ( 14 depots), full P&L Responsibility, with full leadership of a board of directors Managing stock turn against strong cash flow projections and forecasts Reporting to Banks and other major stakeholders Plan, develop and implement the strategy for the division to achieve organizational performance and sustainable growth Oversaw direct reports (6) concerning all aspects of performance and development in line with leadership competencies and ensuring the welfare of all employee's and their long-term growth and security Ensure legal compliance and adherence to companies act, policies, systems, and procedures, with particular reference to food safety, health safety & environment, transport, operations, security, and employment law Developing coherent communication through the division wholesale/logistics and setting up the BMORE local symbol strategy. Managing the day to day operations, maximised commercial and marketing benefits to the group. Develop and implement the sales, procurement, and marketing strategy leading to best in class in the sector. Regarded as a deliverer of premium supplier and client relationships through a proactive approach building confident partnerships, stakeholder relationships which enabled the business to secure new business Show less

Managing Director EPOS solutions

• Apr 2006 - Jan 2015

Re-Scan is an independent family-owned company, that has been working hand in hand with retailers for over 10 years to develop systems designed by retailers for retailers, we are dedicated to delivering the highest quality products and services by our highly qualified team of local support staff and software developers. Key achievements Spearheaded strategic product development both software and hardware including ERP solutions which lead to opening up new markets, sectors which reduced reliance on traditional customer base and ensured the growth of market share in a highly competitive arena Increased Sales from start-up by growing business with a large chain of retail stores and UK distribution companies Increased Customer Loyalty through regular measurement and analyzing sales data, leading the Business Development executives, hands-on approach and working closely with key account clients Developed a coherent region-wide approach to client development, account planning and implemented a new entrepreneurial innovative approach to sales by achieving a closer affiliation to clients “business objectives” Project managed all software updates as well as customer SLA's, promoting Re-Scan to a credible EPOS provider within Retail, hospitality, Forecourt, and multi-store operators. Spearheading customer numbers through careful sub-licensing of the software via distributors and other symbol members bring many first to market and best in class initiatives in the software. Re-Scan developed several accredited solutions B2C solutions for the independent retailer which were industry-leading designed with the end-users in mind Show less

Managing Director Wholesale / Retail. £57m

• Apr 2004 - Jan 2015

Craig was very instrumental in helping develop the Today's and Day Today retail club and built a very strong chain of independent stores under these fascia's in the UK through his Leadership and direction at Dee Bees. Craig's vision and enthusiasm shaped the development of the retail specific promotional packages we see today as well as influencing other £ multi-million Today's Wholesale members in the UK, Scotland, and ROI , as well as helping me personally during my tenure as a Director of The Today's Group. Mark Doughty Managing Director Doughty cakes limited wrote "I would highly recommend Craig to any Company who requires assistance with growth through motivation and encouragement. Craig is a very determined individual who supported our Family Business, enabling ourselves to grow Year on Year within DB Ramsden Estate. His tenacious approach to all aspects of the business from sales to marketing and dedication in making things happen is second to none . During the time we worked together with his management style and excellent customer and supplier skills delivered revenues far exceeding my or the businesses expectations. Show less

Senior Marketing and Trading Manager

• 1979 - 2004