Kruger Venter
Summary
Experienced with managing all aspects of business operations, including financial oversight and strategic planning. Utilizes effective leadership techniques to ensure efficient daily management and team productivity. Track record of fostering strong customer relationships and driving business growth through innovative solutions.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner / Operator
Guthrie Bowron Whangarei
08.2020 - 12.2024
- Company Overview:
- Retail Business in the Home Decorating space
- Bought a Guthrie Bowron home decorating franchise in August 2020
- We grew revenue by 40% in the first 16 months
- Nominated for various awards including Store of the year out of 52 stores
- Instrumental in negotiating and piloting a significant change to the structure of the relationship with Dulux (core supplier) from a wholesale supply to consignment basis – releasing significant working capital and risk
- Responsibilities include the following:
- Implement local marketing strategies over four different categories (Paint & Sundries / Curtains & Blinds / Wallpaper / Flooring)
- Daily management of 7 staff
- Interaction and relationship building with suppliers
- Daily accounting and admin management / cash flow / budgeting
- Interaction with retail & trade customers to ensure a 'good in-store experience'
- Provided exceptional customer service, addressing issues promptly to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat business.
- Managed daily operations for optimal efficiency, streamlining processes to reduce costs.
- Established strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring consistent delivery of goods and services at competitive prices.
- Developed and implemented successful marketing strategies, resulting in increased brand awareness and customer base.
- Developed business plan, processes and procedures to provide superior Products to customers.
- Kept all building areas and equipment functional and well-organized to promote business performance.
- Cultivated a positive work environment, leading to higher employee retention rates and overall job satisfaction.
- Evaluated company performance against objectives, adjusting strategies as needed to achieve desired results.
- Implemented effective financial management practices, improving cash flow and profitability.
- Overseeing inventory management, reducing waste and maintaining adequate stock levels to meet demand.
- Oversaw the hiring process, selecting highly skilled candidates who contributed significantly to company success.
- Optimized workflow processes through careful analysis of operational needs and resource allocation.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
Business Broker
NAI Harcourts (Whangarei)
01.2019 - 06.2020
- Sourcing potential vendors & buyers through lead generation
- Conducting financial & legal due diligence
- Valuation
- Managing & negotiating the entire sales process to conclusion
Director / Business Owner
Pre Pay Energy
06.2010 - 04.2018
- Pre Pay Energy Ltd - Researched and successfully launched a Tier 1 retailer purchasing electricity from the Wholesale Market - NZX
- Successfully scoped and developed an automated software platform for our prepay offering including in-house market participant reconciliation
- Credit Solutions Group Ltd - Specialising in the purchase of Electricity Sector and Consumer debt - $36m book
- Advance Loans Ltd - providing loans to retail customers / self funded
- The Lending Room Ltd - a web based broker lending platform business
Senior Manager – Special Projects
Geneva Finance / Quest Ins / Stellar Collections (NZ)
04.2008 - 06.2010
- Part of a 3 person executive team that successfully implemented the 1st Finance Co Moratorium
- Successfully listed the company on the NZAX raising $34 m in equity
- Preparing Offer Documents & Investment Prospectus and liaison with professional Investors & Advisors
Investment Manager
Geneva Finance & g2 Finance (NZ)
04.2005 - 03.2008
- Marketed to retail investors a number of investment instruments
- Grew investment book from $30m to $140m
- Successfully raised AU$20m from Australian retail investors to start up a retail finance company in Australia
Financial Services & Operations Manager
Elders Card & Evia Finance (NZ)
09.2003 - 01.2005
- Re-established a finance company (Evia Finance) to provide bridging finance to the rural sector
- Including managing a widely used credit card facility to this sector, and marketing debenture investments & liaise with professional advisors - Investment Documents & Prospectus
NZX Associate Adviser
ABN AMRO Craigs (NZ)
11.2001 - 08.2003
- Advising and trading on behalf of retail investors in a range of financial instruments
- Trading on the NZX and various other overseas markets
Director / Sharebroker
Regal House Financial Services (SA)
03.1998 - 06.2001
- Trade on behalf of a number of retail investors on the JSE and other financial institutions
Sales Manager
Fair Cape Finance (SA)
03.1997 - 02.1998
- Managed a team of Investment Advisers marketing various investment instruments to retail customers
Financial Consultant
Standard Bank Financial Services (SA)
03.1993 - 02.1997
- Marketing financial instruments to retail bank customers
Business Developer
Old Mutual Broking Services (SA)
07.1988 - 02.1993
- Marketing of Investment products to Financial Institutions
Education
Post Graduate Management Diploma - General Management
Henley Management College
UK01.2008
Securities Law & Stock Exchange and Market Regulation -
New Zealand Stock Exchange
AKL01.2003
Marketing & Sales Management Diploma -
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cape Town01.1987
Skills
- Communication
- Presentation
- Risk Evaluation
- Innovative Problem Solving
- Collaboration
- Lateral Thinking
- Commercial Acumen
- Marketing Knowledge
- Technology Impact Awareness
- Operations monitoring
- Budgeting expertise
- Business planning
- Work Planning and Prioritization
Personal Information
Citizenship: NZ Citizen
Timeline
Owner / Operator
Guthrie Bowron Whangarei
08.2020 - 12.2024
Business Broker
NAI Harcourts (Whangarei)
01.2019 - 06.2020
Director / Business Owner
Pre Pay Energy
06.2010 - 04.2018
Senior Manager – Special Projects
Geneva Finance / Quest Ins / Stellar Collections (NZ)
04.2008 - 06.2010
Investment Manager
Geneva Finance & g2 Finance (NZ)
04.2005 - 03.2008
Financial Services & Operations Manager
Elders Card & Evia Finance (NZ)
09.2003 - 01.2005
NZX Associate Adviser
ABN AMRO Craigs (NZ)
11.2001 - 08.2003
Director / Sharebroker
Regal House Financial Services (SA)
03.1998 - 06.2001
Sales Manager
Fair Cape Finance (SA)
03.1997 - 02.1998
Financial Consultant
Standard Bank Financial Services (SA)
03.1993 - 02.1997
Business Developer
Old Mutual Broking Services (SA)
07.1988 - 02.1993
Post Graduate Management Diploma - General Management
Henley Management College
Securities Law & Stock Exchange and Market Regulation -
New Zealand Stock Exchange
Marketing & Sales Management Diploma -
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
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