Experience

SAMURAI

• United Kingdom
• Sporting Goods Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Head of Operations, Production & Logistics

  • Jun 2021 - Present

• Operations Director

  • Sep 2019 - Present

  Responsible for the company's product design & development, production, procurement, marketing & eCommerce teams. I also manage our wholly owned factory facility in China as well as providing heavy input to the sales, finance & technology functions of the company. Working closely with the CEO and other Directors on the Board, I also plan & deliver strategic projects and business process improvements.

• Procurement Director

  • Apr 2015 - Sep 2019

  As Procurement Director I was responsible for selection and delivery of outsourcing supply-side contracts, all Buying & Merchandising arrangements, product design and development activities, helping control pricing & profit margins. I also managed stock control, market trend analysis and delivered sales tenders for strategic account opportunities. I also acted as the resident expert in all Samurai product lines and promoted the range through our various sales and marketing channels.

• Production & Merchandise Manager

  • Apr 2005 - Apr 2015

  As the resident expert on Samurai's product range, I was responsible for market trend research in the sporting goods and fashion markets, new product concepts and planning and delivery of new product design. I evangelised the products to internal teams, customers and partners in domestic and international markets. I also assisted with development and management of the Samurai brand and sub-brands, and directly supported the sales teams in selling and business development.

• Graphic Design Manager

  • Oct 2003 - Apr 2005

  I managed the graphic design team day-to-day and was responsible for supervising the allocation of jobs and workflow. I also led the team on visual concept creation and execution, and overall creative direction. Working heavily with customers, I co-ordinated and approved all work, ensuring adherence to the relevant brand guidelines, a high level of quality and on-time delivery. I stayed abreast of technology advances in design, developing the team and myself through suitable training & development.



Arcadia Group Ltd

• United Kingdom
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Junior Merchandiser

  • Oct 2000 - Oct 2003

  Working with well known high street brands such as Miss Selfridge, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins & Topman, I undertook extensive research to assist with purchasing activities for various store networks. I attended trade shows, visiting supplier factories, and meeting with designers in order to help the Arcadia brands make the best possible purchasing decisions. I also researched market reports, trade journals & industry publications to stay up to date on the market. Working with well known high street brands such as Miss Selfridge, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins & Topman, I undertook extensive research to assist with purchasing activities for various store networks. I attended trade shows, visiting supplier factories, and meeting with designers in order to help the Arcadia brands make the best possible purchasing decisions. I also researched market reports, trade journals & industry publications to stay up to date on the market.