Experience

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  Direct Online Services

  • United Kingdom
  • Furniture and Home Furnishings Manufacturing
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Buying & Merchandising Director

    • Mar 2021 - Sep 2023

    As the Buying & Merchandising Director at Direct Online Services from 2021 to 2023, my role was pivotal in steering the company through the intricate challenges of post-COVID recovery and supply crises. Crafting a new vision and commercial strategies, I collaborated with the executive team to develop and execute five-year product strategies aligned with overarching objectives. My leadership extended beyond mere management, as I navigated the team through dynamic market landscapes, ensuring our efforts directly contributed to the company's sustained growth.My key accomplishments are: • Ensured execution of collaborative projects throughout the organisation by establishing robust connections with group leadership and influencing group's supply strategies.• Enhanced group's value chain, resulting in multi-million addition annual revenue.• Steered development and execution of supply chain strategies, resulting in increase in BM%, improvement in payment terms, and stronger relationships with supply partners.• Re-set and re-energised department, re-focusing on delivering best in market service and product proposition.

  • Head of Buying & Merchandising

    • Dec 2019 - Mar 2021

    During my tenure as the Head of Buying & Merchandising from 2019 to 2021, my role involved more than just managing the buying and merchandising function. I was instrumental in implementing commercial excellence plans, aligning with key performance indicators across product categories, finance, and operational efficiency. My dedication to team development was evident in my efforts to coach and align the team's skill sets with the business growth strategy. By fostering cross-departmental collaborations, I ensured that our collective efforts were synchronised toward achieving corporate objectives.Key Contributions: • Guided smooth business transition during group acquisition, embedding values, and fostering multi-OpCo relationship in decision-making and project execution.• Launched group products in the UK and Germany in collaboration with internal and group stakeholders.• Enhanced product offer, availability and increase in annual group revenue, by replacing almost half of category Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), switching to group supply.• Steered business through volatile market conditions by maintaining close, transparent communication with supply chains and implementing flexible yet resilient trading plans.• Achieved exceptional financial results with remarkable YOY profitable growth, all while maintaining high availability and Trustpilot scores.• Entrusted with opportunity for director role, demonstrating commitment to personal and professional growth.

  • Merchandise Manager

    • Apr 2018 - Dec 2019

    As the Merchandising Manager from 2018 to 2019, I played a vital role in fortifying the company's foundation by leading the implementation of robust stock, sales, and inventory reporting systems. My focus on enhancing customer experience and product availability was evident in the establishment of inventory quality measures. Collaborating seamlessly among business departments and stakeholders, I ensured the flawless execution of commercial projects, contributing significantly to the company's operational efficiency.Key highlights of this period are: • Executed large-scale commercial projects, editing and enhancing proposition to ensure a market leading offer.• Attained double digit increases in intake margin while sustaining volume growth and simplifying customer journey.• Established buying and merchandising department from scratch by assembling high-performance teams characterised by diligence, and dedication.• Laid foundation for progressive product, brand, and channel strategy by shifting business approach towards customer-centric approach.• Positioned DOS for favorable financial results in challenging market by reducing challenges inherent in DOS' business model and constraints, preparing the business for further growth.

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  Briers Ltd

  • Wincanton

  • Head Of Supply Chain

    • Mar 2017 - Mar 2018
    • Wincanton

    In my role as the Head of Supply Chain at Briers in 2017-2018, I crafted and executed supply chain strategies for a rapidly expanding manufacturer specialising in garden gloves, footwear, kids gardening, gifting, and accessories. Beyond the strategic aspect, my commitment to enhancing customer experience was evident in the development and execution of master data processes. Regular one-on-one sessions were organised to resolve outstanding issues through collaborative efforts, showcasing my dedication to fostering a cohesive and efficient supply chain ecosystem.My key accomplishments during this tenure are: • Strengthened relationships with key partners such as Wilko, Tesco, and Home Retail Group.• Orchestrated knowledge-sharing initiatives aimed at improving team performance and efficacy.• Facilitated improvements in vendor and customer On-Time In-Full (OTIF) metrics through efficient vendor forecasting and order mechanisms.• Reduced instances of product misrepresentation, mispacks, and packaging reworks by addressing team mistrust and mitigating system misuse.

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  Siniat

  • Supply Planner

    • Jul 2013 - Mar 2017

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  Home Retail Group PLC

  • Swindon

  • Merchandiser

    • Mar 2011 - Jul 2013
    • Swindon

    Merchander for Garden Decorations- Pots & Ornamentation.

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  Cotswold Outdoor

  • Assistant Merchandiser

    • Sep 2009 - Feb 2011