Connor Smith

I have eight years experience within a major retail organisation, progressing through a variety of roles into senior leadership. During this time, I have developed strong commercial, operational and analytical skills, using data to support decision-making and improve business performance. I enjoy leading and developing teams, solving problems, and delivering results in fast-paced environments. I am a reliable and adaptable individual who takes pride in making a positive impact wherever I work.

Store Manager at Central Co-op (2021-12 – Present)

• Lead and develop teams of up to 45 colleagues across two retail stores with a combined weekly turnover exceeding £90,000.
• Regularly provide management cover for the Operations Manager during annual leave, overseeing regional operational priorities, supporting store leadership teams, and ensuring consistent delivery of commercial and compliance objectives.
• Take full responsibility for day-to-day store operations including recruitment, training, performance management, disciplinary procedures, stock control, financial accountability and compliance.
• Drive sales growth, profitability and operational performance through effective KPI management, labour planning and commercial decision-making.
• Analyse operational and financial data to identify opportunities for improvement and deliver sustainable business results.
• Maintain high standards of customer service, safety, legal compliance and colleague engagement.

Data Analyst (Secondment – Loss Prevention) at Central Co-op (2025-03 – 2025-08)

• Selected for an initial six-week secondment to conduct a deep-dive analysis of business shrinkage and leakage.
• Utilised Excel, Power BI, SQL and Power Query to analyse large datasets, identify trends and uncover opportunities to reduce losses.
• Presented findings and recommendations to senior leadership and board-level stakeholders.
• Identified additional risks beyond the original project scope, leading to the secondment being extended to almost six months.
• Conducted investigations into colleague fraud, abuse and loss prevention controls, contributing to savings of over £280,000.
• Produced reports, dashboards and actionable insights to support strategic business decisions.

Team Leader at Central Co-op (2020-03 – 2021-12)

• Supervised colleagues and coordinated daily store operations.
• Supported recruitment, training, coaching and development of team members.
• Assisted in delivering sales, productivity and customer service targets.

Customer Service Assistant at Central Co-op (2018-06 – 2020-03)

• Delivered exceptional customer service, contributing to customer satisfaction in fast-paced retail environment.
• Managed stock, merchandising, cash handling, and daily store operations to ensure smooth functionality.

BSc (Hons) in Accounting and Business Management – De Montfort University (2021-08)

4 A-Levels – Latimer Arts College (2018-08)

8 GCSEs – Latimer Arts College (2018-08)