Lesley Clarke
Auckland
Summary
CAREER OBJECTIVE
A challenging position drawing on strengths in SALES, OPERATIONS and BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT requiring a self-starter multi-site area sales strategist to drive the BRAND and LOYALTY in a B2B SME environment with a strong customer orientated approach, sound business acumen and the proven ability to drive sales, analyse expenses and ultimately contribute directly to the net profitability of the business. Top producing sales professional and expert in the [Industry type] industry. Dynamic communicator who consistently exceeds goals and company expectations. Exceptional leader talented at [Skillset 1], [Skillset 2] and [Skillset 3]. Technically-savvy with outstanding relationship building, training and presentation skills. Client-focused Sales Representative with 8+ years of providing solutions to customers. Solid understanding of the [ systems and program areas]. Highly ambitious [Job Title] with background in sales, marketing and advertising. Expertise in market analysis, forecasting and client needs assessments.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Store Manager
Company Masonite Africa Ltd
11.2017 - Current
- Over eight years' experience in leading store manager and part-owner in a retail stores, obtaining the following important strengths:.
- Sound expertise in sales, marketing and business development processes.
- Developing, training and maintaining high standard of merchandising, placement, store branding, and proper display techniques to attract customers.
- Strong sales support, project management, staff leadership and training skills.
- Staff development:.
- Developed team of department heads who achieve established production and financial plans, sales goals and customer service objectives.
- Evaluated staff performance and appraisals - provided feedback and development opportunities to increase retention of staff.
- Assisted/motivated staff dealing with difficulties and problems.
- Ten years' experience as a multi-site area manager for a retail chain store group in a B2B environment while honing the following important strengths:.
- Personal and company success driven: Result-oriented and highly responsible.
- Financial analyses of stores' performance and expenses.
- Know-how to promote, demonstrate and drive sales.
- Patient and exceptional customer-service: Experience in guiding customers towards optimal sales.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Reviewing previous sales figures to establish and fix future sales target and initiatives.
- Reviewed sales report and monitored individual store performances accordingly, ensuring individual targets are met.
- Company Reduced to Clear in Onehunga www.reducedtoclear.co.nz Date of employment 27th November 2017 to current.
Bloemfontein Business Development and Retail Operations Manager
SPAR South Rand
08.2007 - 09.2014
- Qualification: B.Sc Forestry majoring in Silviculture and Harvesting Company Position Length of Service.
SPAR KwaZulu Natal - Durban Business Development and Retail Operations Manager
10.2014 - 09.2017
- Currently on a work visa and residing in Auckland Store Manager for a clearance grocery store 27.
Retail Operations Manager
SPAR South Rand DC
08.2007 - 09.2014
- Company SPAR KZN DC www.spar.co.za/Regions/KwaZulu-Natal Date of employment October 2014 to September 2017 SPAR is a Dutch multinational retail chain and franchise brand with approximately 12,500 stores in 44 countries worldwide.
- In South Africa, there are 6 regional distribution centres with more than 850 SPAR stores and 500 TOPS liquor stores (www.spar.co.za/About-SPAR/Company; www.spar-international.com ).
- Responsibilities.
- Consult to 14 SPAR and 12 TOPS liquor stores by compiling and implementing sales and profitability strategies in order grow their businesses along profitable and sustainable lines.
- Increased retail sales by 5.6% and store gross profit by almost 1%.
- Improved store purchasing loyalty from the SPAR Distribution Centre by 7.6%.
- Operational and store performance management and analyses including safety and hygiene controls.
- Improved average store standards and hygiene audits by 8%.
- Compiling monthly sales reports for the region.
- Compiling annual sales and purchases forecasts per store and then tracking their monthly progress.
- Providing guidance on financial administration, advertising and marketing within the store and computer operating systems.
- Assessing safety and risk controls at store level.
- Drawing up training needs analyses per store with management.
- Assisting stores with customer service programs, www.spar.co.za/Regions/South-Rand Responsibilities.
- These were the same as for the previous position except there were 16 SPAR and 8 TOPS liquor stores in this region.
- Implementation of action and strategy plans in 3 stores resulted in sustainable retail sales growth of between 13% and 35% within 6 months Position Store manager and part owner Company SPAR Estcourt and SPAR Harrismith www.spar.co.za/Home/Store-View/SPAR-Estcourt-KwaZulu-Natal www.spar.co.za/Home/Store-View/Tops-Harrismith-Free-State.
Harvesting Manager
04.1999 - 07.2007
- Managed a staff compliment of 52 staff members in the bakery, butchery, hot meals, fresh produce and the sales floor and compiled staff training programs accordingly.
- Developing sales strategies for the store and then implementing it.
- Recruiting and training of staff for the relevant departments within the store.
- Developed job descriptions for each member in order to incentivise and improve productivity.
- Ordering and purchasing of all stock for the stores.
- Implementing processes and procedures for receiving, storage, ordering, processing of invoices for payment and the general administration of the store.
- Studying the demographics of our market, conducting customer surveys and holding customer forums to determine customer's needs, and then implement a strategy at store level.
- Interacting with customers and the community to build the SPAR brand and customer loyalty.
- Identifying problems in-store and then solving them.
- Ensuring good housekeeping, high standards of service and hygiene.
- Ensuring excellent customer service levels remain a priority at all times.
- Liaising with suppliers to run our own additional promotions to drive further sales.
- Creating a destination store with points of interest like having a specific department that caters for diabetics and offers health and gym products.
- Focused on building and maintaining good relations with the D.C.
- Conducting in-store stock takes of the entire store on a regular basis and analysing the data which included weekly service department audits Achievement: Increased retail sales growth by 283% in 5 years Reason for leaving: The partnership was no longer mutually beneficial Position Timber, . http://evowood.co.za/masonite-africa-reborn-evowood/.
Masonite Africa Ltd
04.1997 - 03.1999
- engages in the manufacture and distribution of hard and soft board, door facings, and decorative wall panels.
- The company also owns and develops about 30 000 hectares of timber plantations on 7 estates.
- Responsibilities.
- Drawing up of annual harvesting plans for the various timber species.
- Co-ordinating the various tree harvesting teams with timber stackers, extraction teams to delivering the timber to depots and then loading on trucks and transporting to the Masonite mill.
- Assisting with timber demand forecasts and with the drawing up of budgets.
- Providing monthly reports on timber production vs forecast and expenses vs budget.
- My team was the most cost effective and productive per cubic metre of timber delivered from stump to mill out of the seven Masonite farms.
- Applying Best Operating Practices and Environmental Practices when harvesting a compartment.
- Continually liaising with the silvicultural teams before and after harvesting a compartment Achievement: Became the most cost effective timber estate per tonne in terms of producing timber, loading and transporting it to the mill.
- Reason for leaving: The forestry industry was under severe pressure at the time and I felt that there was no future in the industry in South Africa.
- I received a good offer at the time to go into retail.
South African Forestry Company Ltd, SAFCOL
08.1996 - 03.1997
- SAFCOL is the state-owned forestry company which is involved in timber harvesting, timber processing and related activities, both domestically and internationally.
- Responsibilities.
- Plot sampling of all compartments for all commercial pine species.
- Capturing of data samples.
- Preparing monthly reports with annual growth forecasts to management Achievement: Completed the total area to be sampled with 3 weeks to spare Reason for leaving: It was contract work.
- I received a permanent job offer from Masonite Africa Ltd as a harvesting manager.
- Position Quality Control and Measurements Forestry Officer.
South African Forestry Company Ltd, SAFCOL
04.1996 - 08.1996
- SAFCOL is the state-owned forestry company which is involved in timber harvesting, timber processing and related activities, both domestically and internationally.
- Responsibilities.
- Jonkersberg plantation in the Southern Cape was contracted to supply 55 000 cubic metres of Pinus radiata saw timber with definite specifications for the Philippines.
- My responsibility was to ensure that every log leaving the timber depot met the specified length and diameter criteria.
- Achievement: Our team met our production target with 2 weeks to spare to the deadline Reason for leaving: The saw log order was concluded.
Education
Grade 12 - undefined
Muir College Boys High Matric
1988
B.Sc - Forestry
1995
MS Word MS Excel MS Power PointRetail Operations Consulting Skills (ROCS) (2009) - Achievement Dimensions Organisational Competence ConsultantsDiploma in Personal Professional Development (2012 -2014) - Achievement Dimensions Organisational Competence Consultants -
Skills
- Team liaison
- Self-motivated
- Team leadership
- Conflict resolution
- Strong verbal communication
- Staff development
- Risk management processes and analysis
- Process implementation
Interests
HOBBIES/INTERESTS
, Playing tennis, and squash Enjoy trail running, mountain biking and hiking (tramping)
Watching rugby, cricket and tennis
Other interests include current affairs and world financial markets
Timeline
Store Manager
Company Masonite Africa Ltd
11.2017 - Current
SPAR KwaZulu Natal - Durban Business Development and Retail Operations Manager
10.2014 - 09.2017
Bloemfontein Business Development and Retail Operations Manager
SPAR South Rand
08.2007 - 09.2014
Retail Operations Manager
SPAR South Rand DC
08.2007 - 09.2014
Harvesting Manager
04.1999 - 07.2007
Masonite Africa Ltd
04.1997 - 03.1999
South African Forestry Company Ltd, SAFCOL
08.1996 - 03.1997
South African Forestry Company Ltd, SAFCOL
04.1996 - 08.1996
Grade 12 - undefined
Muir College Boys High Matric
B.Sc - Forestry
MS Word MS Excel MS Power PointRetail Operations Consulting Skills (ROCS) (2009) - Achievement Dimensions Organisational Competence ConsultantsDiploma in Personal Professional Development (2012 -2014) - Achievement Dimensions Organisational Competence Consultants -
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