SENIOR AREA MANAGER at NEW BALANCE SA (2024-02 – Present)
Senior Area Manager responsible for regional retail operations and performance management.
- Achieve Sales budgets and gross margin budgets
- Maximise Sales by driving the conversion rate
- Set & communicate sales targets to respective stores
- Focus the team on cross & up selling, and drive UPT, and ATV
- Create relationships with GPs, podiatrists, clubs & gyms in the area to generate sales
- Grow customer data base program and communicate offers regularly
- Ensure all customer orders are accurately processed within 75 hours
- Achieve gross margin targets
- Assist the Retail Operations Manager in planning and implementing strategies to achieve sales budgets
- Manage new store openings on site in conjunction with the Retail Operation Manager: recruiting, stocking and marketing within allocated region
- Manage and control service levels at store through Mystery Shopping report analysis and feedback
- Review conversion rates and action to achieve New Balance requirements
- Conduct weekly meetings with Store Manager focussing on the Store Key Indicator Report, cycling through Mystery Shopper results, Conversion rates, store audits & sell through report
- Build a team environment through providing regular feedback
- Recruit, lead and motivate the store team to maximize sales and provide exceptional customer service in line with New Balance standards
- Monitor and drive conversion through traffic analysis & rostering
- Manage the induction process for new staff, ensuring the probationary period is documented, the store manager provides monthly feedback & an informed decision can be taken at the end of the probationary period
- Master the feedback process & Develop the Store Managers understanding and capability of the Feedback process
- Develop the team through regular review on training in relation to product Tech, Customer Service, Inventory, VM, People Management, Systems and actioning training where needed
- Identify training needs and report to Retail Operation Manager
- Develop the team by ensuring they complete training in the Onboarding pack, Workday, and NB connect with in the prescribed time frame
- Manage and monitor the induction process for all team members
- Review and approve rosters
- Monitor Eco-time system to ensure store management keep to time management standers
- Formulate action plans with Store Management teams to deliver on KPI's
- Observe the team in store and make recommendations to the Store Manager
- Conduct the Store Manager's appraisal and oversee the appraisal process with staff are done and documented
- Actively engage with Store Managers on a daily basis, and be the point of reference for your region on managers meetings and weekly conference calls
- Control all disciplinary processes to achieve a positive outcome for the business
- Conduct regular/ weekly store visits
- Weekly calls with Retail Operations Manager to discuss tasks and objectives for the upcoming week and to report on implemented initiatives and observed challenges
- Complete month end Sales Performance report
- Proactively manage controllable store expenses; discounts given, payouts, stationery, phone, cleaning etc.
- Participate as a member of the Retail Management Team
- Complete reports and feedback required by Head Office
- Review monthly P&L's and take required action
- Regular regional travel to stores, and conferences as required
REGIONAL MANAGER EAST & OUTLINE at COTTON ON GROUP (2016-05 – 2023-09)
Regional Manager overseeing Cotton On R110 Million Turnover per Annum operations. Responsible for implementing trade actions, managing store operations, and driving team performance.
- Collaborate across functions to deliver consistent locally relevant Omni-customer experiences, whilst protecting Brand DNA
- Implement trade actions and use judgment to solve problems that influence trade
- Chase growth opportunities and communicate product performance to deliver commercial objectives
- Hunt positive data and respond to negative data
- Coach people to work as a team and expect to win together
- Observe local customer and competitor behaviours, make commercial suggestions and respond quickly to trends
- Deliver on, inspect store wages, and make adjustments to deliver profitability and great customer experiences
- Inspect loss prevention and inventory management standards and drive compliance
- Inspire, care for and grow others and myself at every stage of the people lifecycle, to facilitate succession
- Set expectations, review performance, provide feedback and follow up using the Group performance framework
- Lead the COG way and build a team of engaged Brand and product ambassadors
- Build relationship with all support structures eg, Merch, VM LP
- Follow all recruitment and disciplinary actions
- Provide a safe environment of all teams
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT at ITALTILE (2016-02 – 2016-04)
Learning and Development Associate focused on training program development and delivery.
- Clearly define the objective for training and training cost
- Outline the scope, timeline, and budget to ensure a seamless training process
- Assign responsibilities and track progress to keep everyone accountable
- Collaborate with stakeholders and subject matter experts to create a training plan that meets everyone's need
- Streamline the training process by providing a structured framework
- Ensure consistency in training delivery across different teams and department
- Help trainers and trainees set clear expectations and goals
- Facilitate effective communication between trainers' trainees and stakeholders
- Journal all cost centers for training requirements
- Monthly sit down with all stake holders (HR Manager) on progress and track record and forward plan
- One on One sit downs with Store operators on training need
HR/& VICTORIA'S SECRETS AREA MANAGER at ALIVE Group (EDCON) (2014-01 – 2016-01)
Dual role combining HR and Area Manager responsibilities for VICTORIA'S SECRETS brand within EDCON group.
- Maximize sales potential through business analysis
- Use VSBA & partner provided business tools along with personal insight to maximize understanding and improve results
- Recommend solutions to business opportunities through comprehension of complexities and relationships among opportunities/issues
- Liaise with Buyer regarding new buys and prices
- Liaise planner regarding allocations
- Liaise with Marketing team regarding GWP and marketing material as well as Visuals
- Create customer intimacy through spending time in stores, reinforcing the use of company provided training tools and personally demonstrating how to foster a customer- centric culture
- Ensure stores meet visual merchandising and marketing execution strategies at all times and are maximizing productivity
- Analyze business and create action area plans to address identified sales/execution opportunities, integrating store visit observations and weekly store level sales
- Optimize traffic through review of store rosters and coaching means of improvement
- Source, recruit and hire top talent and build a strong internal bench/succession plan
- Consistently use partner performance management tools/processes
- Inspire a shared vision by setting clear goals and fostering a positive and rewarding work environment
- Understand and demonstrate VSBA & partner company values
- Create and promote a team environment that allows each associate to perform at an optimum level
- Create a culture of honesty and mutual respect
- Recruit and Select candidates for all 4 brands in Gauteng, Communicate fully with all roleplayers in HR department
- Screen CVs sent from Recruitment Officer
- Follow the full Recruitment and Selection process in its entirety for all 4 brands in Gauteng
- Administer the full Disciplinary function for all brands in Gauteng
- Select appropriate candidates that meet the requirements for each position as per Job Profile
- Communicate with all role-players – polygraphs', area managers, store managers
AREA MANAGER at SOLOSHOES (2013-01 – 2013-12)
Area Manager for Soloshoes retail operations.
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR/ PA at MR PRICE SPORTS (2010-11 – 2012-12)
Operations Coordinator and Personal Assistant role.
STORE MANAGER at FOSCHINI GROUP (2006-11 – 2010-02)
Store Manager responsible for retail operations and team management.
VARIOUS POSITION, FROM CASUAL TO MANAGEMENT at EDCON GROUP (2000-12 – 2006-10)
Various roles progressing from casual to management positions within EDCON Group.
