Bridget Gildea

Group CEO at Chroma Australia
  • Claim this Profile
Contact Information
Location
Sydney, AU

Topline Score

Topline score feature will be out soon.

Bio

Generated by
Topline AI

You need to have a working account to view this content.
You need to have a working account to view this content.

Experience

    • Australia
    • Retail Art Supplies
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Group CEO
      • Apr 2022 - Present

      Sydney, New South Wales, Australia I lead a global team in the creative development, manufacture and distribution of artist paints materials in the fine arts, education and creative industries. We support leading retailers and distributors through B2B/B2C partnerships in 10+ international markets with a portfolio of premium brands. I have implemented a transformation strategy with a focus on four (4) change drivers: cost optimization, cross-border operational alignment, competitive advantage, and global market… Show more I lead a global team in the creative development, manufacture and distribution of artist paints materials in the fine arts, education and creative industries. We support leading retailers and distributors through B2B/B2C partnerships in 10+ international markets with a portfolio of premium brands. I have implemented a transformation strategy with a focus on four (4) change drivers: cost optimization, cross-border operational alignment, competitive advantage, and global market opportunities. Achievements to date include: * New corporate governance reports, and a structured risk assessment initiated to identify statutory, capital and operational issues. * A 3 year budget/annual operating plan (AOP) built from distribution channel analysis, margin insights, planned operational improvements and key customer action plans. * Four new potential international distribution opportunities in discussion. * New communication practices to introduce a customer-centric mindset, and instill go-to-market disciplines. * A new report tool-kit to enable analysis into sales opportunities, inventory control and productivity trends. * Focused organizational change led with a practiced emotional intelligence skill set. Show less

    • Director Sales & Operations.
      • Apr 2018 - Jun 2022

      Hong Kong * Secured the exclusive distribution rights for a premium European apparel brand to commence distribution in Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. * Created an e-commerce strategy for an established lifestyle brand in the Australian homewares sector.

    • Hong Kong
    • Manufacturing
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Head of Global Strategic Sales
      • 2017 - 2018

      Hong Kong * I led the global sales review AOP/S&OP process for this luxury furniture & homewares manufacturer/retailer with 40 DTC luxury retail spaces, 100+ B2B customers sold into 50 countries (inc. AU/NZ retailers). The scope included market dynamics, competitor/channel analysis, customer profiles, risk assessment, resource and supply chain challenges. * The APAC region contributed 29% of the company’s total sales growth in YE 2017, delivering an incremental USD $4.0m sales growth. *… Show more * I led the global sales review AOP/S&OP process for this luxury furniture & homewares manufacturer/retailer with 40 DTC luxury retail spaces, 100+ B2B customers sold into 50 countries (inc. AU/NZ retailers). The scope included market dynamics, competitor/channel analysis, customer profiles, risk assessment, resource and supply chain challenges. * The APAC region contributed 29% of the company’s total sales growth in YE 2017, delivering an incremental USD $4.0m sales growth. * Double-digit y-o-y growth with key AU/NZ retail partners through improved supply chain efficiencies and incentives programs. * Market entry success in Korea and India. Challenges included localising brand communications, licensing negotiations, new-market sales projections, legal compliance and supply chain solutions. Show less

    • Regional Manager Asia Pacific (Retail & Wholesale)
      • 2014 - 2016

      Hong Kong * Transformational results in Hong Kong flagship retail stores within 18months - 3x boost in ave transaction values and 30% sales growth in our interior design customers. * Proudly coached the APAC flagship retail team in customer service excellence to win a 2016 global-best customer service mystery shop award. * Led cross-functional teams in complex challenges across a multiple regulatory environments e.g import compliance, trademark/legal protocols and E2E supply chain… Show more * Transformational results in Hong Kong flagship retail stores within 18months - 3x boost in ave transaction values and 30% sales growth in our interior design customers. * Proudly coached the APAC flagship retail team in customer service excellence to win a 2016 global-best customer service mystery shop award. * Led cross-functional teams in complex challenges across a multiple regulatory environments e.g import compliance, trademark/legal protocols and E2E supply chain efficiencies Show less

    • Director - OEM Product Development / Sourcing
      • 2009 - 2013

      Hong Kong SAR * Achievements included merchandise training for wellness brand Comvita (HK) Ltd, product development services for Australian retailer Taking Shape18 (apparel) and select small European brands.

    • Germany
    • Retail Apparel and Fashion
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • General Manager - Asia Pacific
      • 2008 - 2009

      Hong Kong This role held P&L and China ‘Legal Representative’ accountability for the China market. The closure of the local licensee operations included the termination of 50 local staff, lease transition for 10 retail stores, and complex local regulatory compliance obligations. * New company start-up success: local team recruitment, profitable assortment plans balancing domestic vs imported product margin complexities, and collaboration with QC & logistics vendors. Unfortunately this company… Show more This role held P&L and China ‘Legal Representative’ accountability for the China market. The closure of the local licensee operations included the termination of 50 local staff, lease transition for 10 retail stores, and complex local regulatory compliance obligations. * New company start-up success: local team recruitment, profitable assortment plans balancing domestic vs imported product margin complexities, and collaboration with QC & logistics vendors. Unfortunately this company closed its’ international operations in 2009 due to financial downturn. Show less

    • United States
    • Retail Apparel and Fashion
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Regional Manager - Asia Pacific
      • 2005 - 2007

      Hong Kong APAC P&L accountability for surf lifestyle brand Billabong Int, 3 brands in 5 territories. We opened/ renovated 30 retail spaces across multiple retail footprints within 24 months. *Aggressive market scale activated through the negotiation of multiple distribution agreements with established regional partners, anchored with clear CAGR and IRR benchmarks. * Simultaneously I led the successful acquisition of a Billabong Singapore licensee back to corporate ownership. Challenges included… Show more APAC P&L accountability for surf lifestyle brand Billabong Int, 3 brands in 5 territories. We opened/ renovated 30 retail spaces across multiple retail footprints within 24 months. *Aggressive market scale activated through the negotiation of multiple distribution agreements with established regional partners, anchored with clear CAGR and IRR benchmarks. * Simultaneously I led the successful acquisition of a Billabong Singapore licensee back to corporate ownership. Challenges included cross-border due diligence, lease novations and the sensitive transition of 45 employees to a new subsidiary. * Established a new APAC go-to-market process, 7 seasonal range presentations, new Asia-specific designs and localised brand marketing programs. Show less

    • Director
      • Apr 2003 - Mar 2005

      Australia This business provided sourcing & OEM product development services to retailers Priceline Pharmacy Group, TVSN Shopping Network and Australia Post stores. * I managed the entire sourcing, import and sales process including China factory relationships, QC, shipping, and packaging procedures to meet retailers' import regulations. * A consultancy project for Billabong Int. within this time led to Hong Kong appointment shown above.

    • Switzerland
    • Retail Luxury Goods and Jewelry
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • General Manager - Ooh LaLa (retail stores)
      • 2001 - 2002

      Australia A challenging transformation project. Responsibility included P&L management for 215 staff in 43 stores. We achieved 2001 YE budgets and Qtr1 sales in 2002. This business closed in 2002 when Swarovski International re-directed resources to its’ core brand business.

    • United States
    • Software Development
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • USA National Business Manager (Retail Dev)
      • 1998 - 2001

      United States With Nike USA, I led a business analytics team to identify retail expansion opportunities for Nike product (+10,000 SKU’s) sold in 3000 retail doors in the USA market. Four newly created-annual reports presented insights, KPI’s and growth opportunities to the US executive leadership teams. * Our team built strategic growth plans for key customers and I conducted negotiations with key retailers in the USA market.

Education

  • Monash University
    Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Retail Management
  • University of Stirling
    Master of Business Administration (MBA), Retail Wholesale Management

Community

You need to have a working account to view this content. Click here to join now