Experience

Gourmet Candy Company

• Wholesale
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Product Development Project Manager

  • Apr 2022 - Present

  London, UK



Wildcat Interiors

• Interior Designer

  • Dec 2019 - Present

  Tooting, London elie@wildcatinteriors.co.uk Helping clients add colour with confidence to their homes I: @wildcat_interiors



Enlighten Training + Consultancy Ltd

• Professional Training and Coaching
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Commercial Director

  • Jun 2018 - Apr 2019

  London, United Kingdom Enlighten Training & Consultancy's commitment to all our clients both business and personal is to provide value for money, high quality services enabling all who train with us to reach their potential. We supply accredited training courses to the public and also supply in house training solutions for small/medium businesses across the UK. Enlighten was established by highly experienced, qualified individuals who have a passion for personal development and the delivery of… Show more Enlighten Training & Consultancy's commitment to all our clients both business and personal is to provide value for money, high quality services enabling all who train with us to reach their potential. We supply accredited training courses to the public and also supply in house training solutions for small/medium businesses across the UK. Enlighten was established by highly experienced, qualified individuals who have a passion for personal development and the delivery of excellence. I've recently joined the team to evolve the business to our next stage of development. Show less



Career Break

• Ireland
• Travel Arrangements
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Mumbai, India

  • Mar 2014 - Mar 2016

  Mumbai Area, India



Fan Club

• United Kingdom
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Project Manager New Business

  • Nov 2011 - Jul 2013

  Spitalfields, London – Comms, Digital & Shopper Marketing Agency. Clients included: BBC & Budweiser – Managed social media, digital and website, event planning, produced all collateral and re-branding. Worked on client pitches.



BID SHOPPING LTD

• Retail

• Buying Manager/Senior Buyer - Home & Electricals

  • Jul 2006 - Nov 2011

  - Managed the Homewares buying team of 10 to an annual budget of £30M - Employed to introduce NPD and theming focus, moving away from a pure clearance buying. - Re-negotiated terms with suppliers, credit agreements, retrospective discounts, supplier held stock, to drive profitability. - Implemented a strict product development critical path to drive newness into the business and deliver subsequent sales growth. Incremental sales growth of £1.5M YOY home living. - Frequent… Show more - Managed the Homewares buying team of 10 to an annual budget of £30M - Employed to introduce NPD and theming focus, moving away from a pure clearance buying. - Re-negotiated terms with suppliers, credit agreements, retrospective discounts, supplier held stock, to drive profitability. - Implemented a strict product development critical path to drive newness into the business and deliver subsequent sales growth. Incremental sales growth of £1.5M YOY home living. - Frequent travel for trade shows, inspirational shops, NPD and sourcing to Far East, Europe and US. - Implemented and managed travel and design processes and budgets for the business. Show less



BHS

• United Kingdom
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Buyer - Dining

  • Jul 2003 - Jul 2006

  Marylebone, London Managed the Dining Dept (annual turnover of £12M as JB), and later the Kitchen Dept (annual turnover of £15M and Buyer), employed as a product development expert to introduce a more design-led range. - Managed and mentored a team of 4-6 JB’s AB’s and BAA’s. - Successfully presented ranges to Phillip Green and SLT for sign off. - Developed exclusive ranges from concept to launch in collaboration with Chefs and Designers e.g. Gordon Ramsay and Kelly Hoppen. - Secured supplier and… Show more Managed the Dining Dept (annual turnover of £12M as JB), and later the Kitchen Dept (annual turnover of £15M and Buyer), employed as a product development expert to introduce a more design-led range. - Managed and mentored a team of 4-6 JB’s AB’s and BAA’s. - Successfully presented ranges to Phillip Green and SLT for sign off. - Developed exclusive ranges from concept to launch in collaboration with Chefs and Designers e.g. Gordon Ramsay and Kelly Hoppen. - Secured supplier and marketing contributions, re-negotiated settlement discounts and payment terms in order in increase company profit margins, and department NM% by 10%. - Extensive travel for trade shows, inspiration, product sourcing and NPD to Far East, Europe & US. Show less



Whittard of Chelsea

• United Kingdom
• Retail
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Buyer - Ceramics, Home & Gift

  • Jul 1998 - Jul 2003

  I joined after graduation as a BAA and advanced to Buyer over the 5 years, managing the ceramics and giftware categories with budget of £10M per annum. Highlights: - Very extensive Far East (Thailand, HK, Indonesia, Philippines) and European (Italy, Portugal, France) sourcing and NPD trips, as well as inspirational trips (New York, Paris, Milan) and Trade Shows (Ambiente, Heimtex, Maison) - Negotiated exclusivity agreements with designers, factories and suppliers, in order to deliver… Show more I joined after graduation as a BAA and advanced to Buyer over the 5 years, managing the ceramics and giftware categories with budget of £10M per annum. Highlights: - Very extensive Far East (Thailand, HK, Indonesia, Philippines) and European (Italy, Portugal, France) sourcing and NPD trips, as well as inspirational trips (New York, Paris, Milan) and Trade Shows (Ambiente, Heimtex, Maison) - Negotiated exclusivity agreements with designers, factories and suppliers, in order to deliver individual identity for the product range. - Direct imported from factories rather than through an agent, resulting in in depth understanding of Far East trading, shipping, documentation, finance and QA processes. - Sourced and worked with freelance form and surface designers, as well as establishing our internal design team to create exciting and individual product and packaging. Show less