James Hardcastle
Vice President at Mercana Furniture and Decor- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Chris Barwig
I have had the opportunity to work alongside James in his most recent role as Director of Merchandising Operations and experience firsthand his exceptional oversight of key initiatives such as Category Management Capability, Pricing Strategy, Competitive Intelligence to name a few. I found James to be an exceptionally detailed, strategic leader who genuinely cared about the company and delivering the very best every day. I found his attention to detail, high personal standards and drive contagious and drove me to give my very best each and every day as well. If James was overseeing a project, you knew that it get done on time, scope, budget, and be thoroughly planned and executed. I enjoyed my time working with James and would welcome the opportunity to work with him again or recommend him to any organization.
Chris Barwig
I have had the opportunity to work alongside James in his most recent role as Director of Merchandising Operations and experience firsthand his exceptional oversight of key initiatives such as Category Management Capability, Pricing Strategy, Competitive Intelligence to name a few. I found James to be an exceptionally detailed, strategic leader who genuinely cared about the company and delivering the very best every day. I found his attention to detail, high personal standards and drive contagious and drove me to give my very best each and every day as well. If James was overseeing a project, you knew that it get done on time, scope, budget, and be thoroughly planned and executed. I enjoyed my time working with James and would welcome the opportunity to work with him again or recommend him to any organization.
Chris Barwig
I have had the opportunity to work alongside James in his most recent role as Director of Merchandising Operations and experience firsthand his exceptional oversight of key initiatives such as Category Management Capability, Pricing Strategy, Competitive Intelligence to name a few. I found James to be an exceptionally detailed, strategic leader who genuinely cared about the company and delivering the very best every day. I found his attention to detail, high personal standards and drive contagious and drove me to give my very best each and every day as well. If James was overseeing a project, you knew that it get done on time, scope, budget, and be thoroughly planned and executed. I enjoyed my time working with James and would welcome the opportunity to work with him again or recommend him to any organization.
Chris Barwig
I have had the opportunity to work alongside James in his most recent role as Director of Merchandising Operations and experience firsthand his exceptional oversight of key initiatives such as Category Management Capability, Pricing Strategy, Competitive Intelligence to name a few. I found James to be an exceptionally detailed, strategic leader who genuinely cared about the company and delivering the very best every day. I found his attention to detail, high personal standards and drive contagious and drove me to give my very best each and every day as well. If James was overseeing a project, you knew that it get done on time, scope, budget, and be thoroughly planned and executed. I enjoyed my time working with James and would welcome the opportunity to work with him again or recommend him to any organization.
Credentials
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Operational Excellence Foundations
LinkedInJul, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
Six Sigma Foundations
LinkedInJul, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
Product Management: Building a Product Strategy
LinkedInJun, 2019- Nov, 2024
Experience
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Mercana Furniture and Decor
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Canada
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Wholesale
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1 - 100 Employee
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Vice President
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Apr 2023 - Present
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GLG
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United States
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Information Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Management Consultant (Contract)
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2019 - Present
Strategic advisory and consulting services. Strategic advisory and consulting services.
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GetintheLoop
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Canada
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Marketing Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Vice President, Franchise Operations
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2021 - Oct 2022
GetintheLoop is an award winning intelligent mobile marketing SaaS platform that helps business engage the modern consumer. GITL helps businesses drive revenue, build awareness, and increase loyalty with an increasingly challenging audience to target & engage. Since its beginnings in 2014, GetintheLoop has grown into the top rated iOS and Android application of its kind in Canada used by thousands of top national and local brands. GetintheLoop is an award winning intelligent mobile marketing SaaS platform that helps business engage the modern consumer. GITL helps businesses drive revenue, build awareness, and increase loyalty with an increasingly challenging audience to target & engage. Since its beginnings in 2014, GetintheLoop has grown into the top rated iOS and Android application of its kind in Canada used by thousands of top national and local brands.
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Men In Kilts
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United States
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Consumer Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Chief Operating Officer
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2018 - 2019
Chief Operating Officer, accountable for strategic direction, operational execution and financial performance of a leading international home & commercial services franchisor. Built a cohesive high performance team and developed financial & strategic plans, led the Marketing, Customer Service, Franchise Operations, Training, HR, Administration & Support functions, and oversaw performance management and business development. Chief Operating Officer, accountable for strategic direction, operational execution and financial performance of a leading international home & commercial services franchisor. Built a cohesive high performance team and developed financial & strategic plans, led the Marketing, Customer Service, Franchise Operations, Training, HR, Administration & Support functions, and oversaw performance management and business development.
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Best Buy Canada
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Canada
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Retail
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700 & Above Employee
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Director, Merchandising & Inventory Operations
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2008 - 2017
Led large multidisciplinary team and led Demand Planning & Category Management Capability, Business Planning, Technology & Reporting, Pricing Strategy, Visual Merchandising, Competitive Intelligence, Communications, and Training functions. Directed inventory and demand planning capability for $4B retail organization, consistently exceeding days-on-hand and in-stock targets. Influenced supply chain design through strategic inventory planning accuracy, speed and simplicity.
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Director, Pricing Strategy
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2006 - 2008
Stood-up new Pricing Optimization & Price Strategy capability to improve value perception, traffic and profitability. Transformed merchandising business processes around pricing, created competitive intelligence capability and implemented compliance controls.
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Director, Service Strategy
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2005 - 2006
Supervised operations and business development of Home Theatre Installation for Best Buy and Future Shop stores. Led cross-functional team responsible for development of long-term, strategic plan for in-home services.
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Director, Merchandising (Digital Services & New Business Development)
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2003 - 2005
Ignited growth and innovation through the creation of new digital service platforms (music, photofinishing), subscription services (television, internet), and development of new product categories and revenue streams.
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Group Category Manager, Merchandising
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2001 - 2003
Transformed Best Buy Canada's merchandising function implementing new merchandising methodologies and practices into the Canadian operation as part of acquisition by Best Buy.
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Future Shop is now operated by Best Buy.
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Canada
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Retail
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400 - 500 Employee
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Senior Category Manager
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1996 - 2001
Drove outstanding results in multiple $100M+ product portfolios, including laptops, computers, handheld devices, printers, computer accessories & peripherals, business machines, and telephones.
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Department Manager
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Feb 1994 - Jan 1996
Top Performing sales & customer service leader in consumer electronics retail store.
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Education
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Western University
Honors BA, Political Science | Commerce
Community
