Simon Millard

I am a hard worker, with work experience across a variety of departments within a retail environment. A committed team player, and an excellent communicator. I am pro-active, with a can-do attitude and have developed customer service and stock control skills, With a proven ability to adapt to new systems and ways of working.

I have experience around shop refits and range reviews to improve sales within stores while building relationships with our franchisees. Helping them to increase their sales and build their business.

Area merchandiser at Appley Westward (2022-04 – 2026-06)

To visit new and existing Spar stores and merchandise the stock within the stores to the planograms provided to us. Within spar owned stores the planograms are fully implemented however in franchise stores I build a relationship with the owner/manager. In order to work out the products they wish to stock and the items that would be beneficial to the store specific location.

Building relationships with the store owners and management is a big part of this role. When stores are transitioning to the spar brand we will also assist with the first order to show the manager/owner how the ordering system works to enable them to place future stock orders.

• A big part of this role is people skills. I meet different managers and store owners each week and all have different requirements and ways of working.
• Previously to taking the role of merchandiser. I had not had to place orders in a manual way. I have learned how to judge the amount of stock needed for the set up of a new store.
• Also making sure the correct equipment is in place to implement the changes to store layouts.
• During refits I work closely with the shop fitters and trades to ensure the store areas the need to access are clear of shelving, stock and other obstructions.
• Communication is also key when reaching the end of the works. In order to work out where shelving can be built and restocked to ensure the store can be reopened in a timely manner.

In store merchandiser at REL (2021-09 – 2022-04)

This was an ad hoc role I undertook as a second job while working for Sainsburys. It involved going into stores building and setting up shippers or stands and negotiating with management over the location of the shippers and the stock to be placed on them. I would then send photos back to the office to show that the work had been completed. Sometimes I would also be asked to action stock taking duties. Again, this was done through an app on my phone and the data submitted back to rel.

• My time management improved a lot. By this I mean I had to book jobs and ensure that I had enough time to complete the jobs booked including traveling time.
• Also building relationships with managers and staff within the stores.

Dry goods at J Sainsbury PLC (2013-11 – 2022-04)

I work back stocks to ensure good availability for our customers. I also responsible for various stock control tasks using both the hand-held computers and main computer systems. This includes things such as stock counting and making adjustments to inventory when required and pulling weekly sales and loss reports.

• Knowledge of stock control systems and how to maintain good levels of stock to maintain good availability for the customer.

Fresh Produce at J Sainsbury PLC (2009-09 – 2013-11)

My primary tasks are to give excellent customer service and replenishment of the shop floor using good presentation skills so that the department gives a good first impression to the customers from the moment the store opens until the close of trade. Other tasks include customer enquiries stock control and pricing as well as food hygiene.

• Basic product knowledge and I am increasing this each day. I have now attended the intermediate produce training course.

Beers, Wines & Spirits at J Sainsbury PLC (2005-09 – 2009-12)

• Working within a team, responsible for stock replenishment as well as maintaining a safe working environment for both employee and customer and many and varied customer enquires.
• I was chosen to become wine champion for the store, which involves advising customers on request on their choice of wine.

Fresh Meat Section at J Sainsbury PLC (2000-06 – 2005-09)

• Reported directly to the head of the department. My primary tasks were stock control and pricing as well as food hygiene rotation.
• Mediation of grievances between staff members.
• When the Manager was on Annual Leave I took responsibility for the department.
• At the end of shift, I completed code-check and daily task reports
• Good user knowledge of Microsoft Office packages including MS Outlook & Ms-word

Checkout Clerk at J Sainsbury PLC (1999-10 – 2022-04)

• Operating the checkout and processing customers shopping.
• The work required extreme accuracy and attention to detail.
• I was responsible for the accuracy of the till at the end of each shift.
• Use of complex retail equipment including intercom / hand held systems.
• Consistently achieving and surpassing quality and productivity targets.
• Carried out practical training on electronic tills for new starters to the team.

Cigarette Kiosk at J Sainsbury PLC (2000-05 – 2001-01)

• Dealing with retail customers as a Cashier and query handling on the Customer Service desk.
• Trusted with the safe keys and the reconciliation of float and takings in the cash registers.
• Dealing with difficult customers, in challenging situations.
• Implementation of processes to ensure satisfactory and timely responses for the customer.
• Learnt to use new electronic equipment such as National Lottery machines.
• Think 25 age restricted sales.
• Manual and power pump truck.

Units Towards NVQ Level 2 in Retail – John Kitto Community College Sixth Form (1998-09 – 2000-07)

GCSE in Science Double Award – John Kitto Community College (1993-09 – 1998-07)

GCSE in Design & Food Technology – John Kitto Community College (1993-09 – 1998-07)

GCSE in History – John Kitto Community College (1993-09 – 1998-07)

GCSE in German – John Kitto Community College (1993-09 – 1998-07)

GCSE in Mathematics – John Kitto Community College (1993-09 – 1998-07)

GCSE in English – John Kitto Community College (1993-09 – 1998-07)