Experience

• 

  Fusion Retail Brands Pty Ltd

  • Hawthorn

  • Senior Buyer/Product Development

    • Jan 2015 - Present
    • Hawthorn

• 

  Brimmer International Pty>ltd

  • Melbourne, Australia

  • General Manager

    • 2000 - Jan 2015
    • Melbourne, Australia

    Responsible for the development and management of Brimmer International Pty Ltd from inception. Developed primary business is as an importer and wholesaler of footwear, which also expanded to include retail outlets.Key challenges have included driving product development for competitive positioning, understanding retail market trends, shaping strategic thinking and the management of major client networks and expectations.Responsibilities:• Business development/Networking~ Development of new products, including market research and analysis of consumer trends, both nationally and internationally to meet development cycles. ~ Keep abreast with trends in products and retailing through extensive travel to both USA and Europe (average 2 times a year)~ Introducing , marketing and Wholesaling of 2 global brands in Australia & New Zealand~ Setting up of agent sales network in Australia & New Zealand~ Managing retail outlet network~ Define and successfully implement marketing and sales strategies,~ Implementation of client management initiatives and key account relationship building.• Product Development~ Active participation in production, including quality control, accelerating production to meet market, and ensuring implementation of best practice.~ Meeting buyers expectations, including cost and delivery with large stakeholders in the retail sectorSpearhead negotiations for product development and cost with manufacturers, including extensive liaison with Asian manufacturers• Operational Management~ Review and analysis of performance and growth~ Financial management and planning functional area activities within budget~ Import management~ Development and implementation of change and ongoing improvements~ Retail Lease Management

• 

  Colorado Group

  • Brisbane

  • Buying Manager

    • 1986 - 2000
    • Brisbane

    Managed and led buyer’s portfolio of $60 million worth of business, including leading Footlocker & Colorado buying strategy, anticipating customer demands and leading negotiation with suppliers. ~ Mentoring, coaching and leading buying team~ Spearhead buying strategy, including analysis of current stock, inventory performance, competitor analysis, forecasting demand and keeping abreast of national and international trends~ Product sourcing and product development, including quality control~ Product pricing and negotiation with suppliers of products, including delivery and quality and identifying optimal supply in order to increase profit~ Development and implementation of in-store merchandising displays/promotions and close liaison with store managers~ Product direction and product presentations including road shows to Regional Managers, Store Managers and Shop Assistants across Australia (Our team were the 1st to implement road shows with a high success rate and very high demand)~ Planning and budgeting~ Brand management Key contributions:~ Buying strategy delivered optimal inventory performance, as well as meet annual gross profit targets~ Planned realistic forecasts and met all key performance indicators~ Effectively build brand identity of house products, through brand strategy development and marketing