HENRY TAM

Working with our global strategic partners GPC - Genuine Parts Company, who own Repco, Sulco and NAPA Auto Parts has been a real learning curve that I have enjoyed. With the economic environment being a tough one, it has been a blessing in disguise, where I have had to lean on experiences learnt along my career and other within my Team. A key example of this would be the need to manage the stock levels of our customers and bring a focus on sales out before focusing on my own sales in requirements. In the time I have been in this role, I have been able to gain the trust of both my customers and internal team and has accelerated my skills in relationship building and financial analytics to generate offers that benefit both myself and GPC

As the Senior Product Manager, I directly manage the Hand tools and Storage portfolio with an oversight of the accessories portfolio which is managed by a Product Manager within my team. Managing core range products, Promotional range activations and in conjunction executing exit strategies and transitional ranges due to improved innovation is a big part of my day to day. Together with market landscaping and competitor analysis exercises has been a key factor for me having successful range acceptance and execution of a few major range extensions. For example, Ryobi LINK, AEG Quickstack 2.0 and the transition of Kango Hand tools to name a few

Blessed with the opportunity to be part of the ownership group of Tai Ping Newmarket located inside the Westfield Newmarket Shopping center has given me true insight of the saying 'treat it like your own business. Although not involved in the day to day running of the business, I have learnt invaluable lessons in people management, financial control and strategic forecasting to ensure business success. Considering both tangible and non-tangible aspects of any business environment gives a more holistic overview of how to execute business plans and best deploy the right people in right place for maximum success

At HRV I managed a wide berth of categories ranging from Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Water and EV charging. With both a B2C and B2B focus, I drew on my experience from a more corporate background to create many systematic improvements and strategies to increase profitability within the different business units. Due to the small nature of the Team, I was also heavily involved in the marketing and communication of current and new product ranges, often communicating with marketing agencies on collateral development and media opportunities to grow the HRV brand

Promotion into the Senior Category Manager role, I have been tasked to overhaul all technical categories. Which includes Industrial Hoses and Fittings, Flow control, Transmission & conveyor, and Gas detection. In addition to take deep dives into historical data to improve the category from a ranging and supplier partnership standpoint, I also make key decisions regarding pricing / quotes and ranging at the dedicated Technical Trade Centre in Highbrook and across the National network of 35 stores

Managing the largest portfolio within the Merchandise Team, including Footwear, Worksite Safety & Fall Protection / Hazardous product. The portfolio contributes to the highest annual turnover for the business. In this role, my responsibilities include:

• Strategic category planning to ensure first in market or product exclusivity targeted at a cross section of industries
• Negotiate and manage pricing, range, and terms of trade with suppliers and customers to meet business objectives
• This includes introducing growth rebates for incumbent suppliers during term negotiations which lead to increased bottom line year on year performance
• Setting Everyday pricing and promotion pricing management internally with Marketing team
• Tender quotes with large customers such as City Rail Link and Watercare

Assigned to manage categories ranging from Ice Cream, Car Care, Car wash, Mobile Technology, Apparel and General Merchandise, I am comfortable and understand the importance in developing different strategies that maximizes my portfolios performance. This role has allowed me to gain experiences in dealing with multi-national companies like Fonterra and Unilever where I have gain invaluable experiences and understanding of different levers in my negotiation arsenal and the use of Neilson data to ensure deeper understanding of market trends and consumer wants and needs. Additional responsibilities were:

• Plan promotional programs in conjunction with suppliers
• Seek new opportunities and trends in categories like Mobile Technology and Ice Cream Supplier management
• Performance updates

Having experienced some impressive growth the past 2 years, I have been given the challenge of seeking new opportunities and promotional programs to continue the upward trend

Since being in the role, I have been able to achieve a consistent 10% sales growth through an intensive management of imported products and close relationships with local manufactures and supplier. Additional responsibilities are:

• Producing and analysing performance of key lines
• Forecasting stock level for import products to assure no stock shortages.
• Producing Weekly & Monthly key lines performance reports to assist Leadership Team
• Coordinating promotions and approve marketing materials.

Being the Buyers Assistant for the largest portfolio (Building Materials) both in terms of products and sales, I was given increased responsibilities in supplier management and was heavily involved in market-changing projects which delivered consistent sales growth of 20% and improved group buying practices. The contribution allowed me to be exposed to a large array of strategic analysis and taught me to view opportunities from different angles to allow for the most calculated approach.