Lorraine Fitzpatrick
Browns Bay
Summary
Proactive leader with a customer-centric approach driving results in strategic supply of building products and services. Skilled in fostering customer-centric cultures and prioritizing commercial excellence. Experienced in general management, marketing, category, and sales management with a focus on operational efficiency and pricing strategies. Passionate about building cohesive teams aligned with business goals, committed to integrity and trust. Always seeking opportunities for improvement in customer experience to gain a competitive edge by leveraging market insights across various segments. Demonstrates strong sales acumen through effective product differentiation management, brand development, and seizing promotional opportunities to drive sales growth.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Distribution NI
Humes Pipeline Systems
03.2024 - Current
- Developed and implemented distribution strategies to optimize supply chain efficiency.
- Analyzed market trends to enhance product availability and customer satisfaction.
- Managed logistics operations, ensuring timely delivery of products to clients.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline operational processes and reduce costs.
- Conducted performance reviews of distribution staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Led training initiatives for team members on best practices in distribution management.
- Established key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure distribution effectiveness and drive results.
- Identified areas for process improvements within the distribution network, implementing changes that resulted in increased speed and reliability of deliveries.
- Built strategic solutions for client analytics, product analytics, client reporting and other client-facing applications.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction levels with timely order fulfillment and accurate product delivery.
- Developed strong relationships with suppliers and negotiated favorable contracts, resulting in cost savings and improved service quality.
- Launched brand refresh programs across branch networks
- established new Branch network to align with strategic objectives
- Increased client retention by providing superior customer service.
- Reduced worker accidents by implementing improved safety standards and monitoring procedures.
- Led improvement initiatives to advance operational efficiencies and increase revenue.
General Manager
Mitre 10 Henderson and Westgate
03.2021 - 01.2024
- Developed strategic marketing initiatives to increase foot traffic and sales revenue.
- Trained and mentored staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends, informing product selection and promotional strategies.
- Oversaw budget management, ensuring efficient allocation of resources across departments.
- Collaborated with suppliers to negotiate favorable terms, enhancing product offerings and profitability.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Developed and executed strategic plans for business growth and expansion, resulting in increased market share.
- Cultivated strategic partnerships with industry leaders, enhancing brand credibility and access to new customer segments.
- Oversaw compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards in all operations activities.
Head of National key accounts/Marketing Manager
FMI Building innovation
04.2019 - 01.2021
- Oversee National sales, set budgets and establish sales and Marketing plan to reach desired budget and therefore deliver returns for shareholders
- Responsible for a sales team across two division: Glass and aluminium systems. Including estimation and architectural support teams. Subset- Direct reports 8 in total. Targeting Fairview regional fabricators, Group home builders, architects, and associations
- Targeting and managing Key projects i.e., Retirement villages, specific project.
- Managed the marketing strategies across the aluminium systems division. Media Plan, budgets, and creative direction. Management of trade shows and conferences nationally
- Manage all Legal supply agreements across the business
- Manage customer QPD’S and rebate structures. Manging price file and updates.
- Responsible for Sales branches nationally. Strong emphasis on communication and emphasise self-determination. Support and training, key attribute to success.
- Implemented and maintained individual performance management systems.
- Presenting annual performance evaluation and future objectives and plans to the CEO
Partnership and Group home builder Manager
GIB
04.2011 - 04.2019
- Managing all National key accounts throughout the GIB customer portfolio. This included all building Merchants, associations nationally, group home/volume builders, major construction company’s (project led management) and builders.
- Managed all events and was the “face of the GIB brand” for external liaisons
- Maintain the Club GIB installer program, providing sales and marketing support to the sector.
- Look after all the Associations Nationally i.e., CB, NZIA etc. This includes partnership management, conferences, regional AGM’S and Marketing elements.
- Liaise and support all the regional sales Managers to optimise customer engagement and implement strategies at a regional level
- Maintain Key relationship at Head office with building merchant channel.
National Architectural Sales manager
GIB
- Understand design proposition to retain and defend market share.
- Developed a three-tier strategy to optimise calling efficiency to ensure we gained specification
- Responsible for leading a team looking after the architects Nationally. 4 team members plus support people
- Responsible for presentations to specifiers, promoting current and new systems
- Follow up and monitor projects over $5M to gain and retain specification
- Support and manage key accounts and national sponsorship i.e., NZIA, ADNZ, CMS
- Support and attend architectural functions to develop relationships.
- Provide technical specification support for architects. Support and assistance with building specification requirements for fire and acoustic management in projects
- Continued involvement and feedback to supply chain to ensure forecasts are accurate.
Divisional Category manager – Accessories
GIB
- Responsible for Accessories category – Fasteners, Adhesives, Ceiling battens and Cornice Cove
- Manage key accounts, developing strategic growth opportunities, promotional and product initiatives to grow category. Sales media/promotion and POS.
- Strategic pricing to the market to be developed and managed in response to market conditions and competitive activity
- Manage supply relationships and agreements to ensure product supply and quality is maintained.
- Manage price positioning, maintaining and growing GM and revenue across all categories
- Ensure that stock holding, and stock turns are JIT and meet market demands. IFOT levels
Country Manager
Ecco Pacific
03.2008 - 04.2011
- Role included, Sales management, Marketing manager and Finance. Responsibility for P&L
- Developing Sales plan and effecting the change through the territory with my team of representatives. Responsible for setting of sales Budgets/marketing budgets/forecasts.
- Responsible for Brand and product management across electrical wholesale channel.
- Category management for customer house brands.
- Maintain Distributor relations –Local- negotiate all product management with distributor to ensure products meet New Zealand and Australian safety and market requirements.
- Oversee marketing initiatives for Australia and New Zealand. Direct and in direct media.
National Sales/Product manager
Grace Haven Industries
01.2002 - 04.2008
- Maintained and enhanced relationships with key account nationally and increased sales with each by improved product development, product diversification and penetration
- Managed and established two new Branches within South Africa. Assisted them with Client orientation, product awareness and general support.
- Identified and launched new product lines from the East and incorporated them into the range.
- Supported sales consultants with technical support. Mentored and coached staff
- Maintained good relationships with suppliers (abroad and locally) I believe in strong supply chain relationships.
Education
BComm - sales and marketing
School of International Management
University Of Johannesburg Skills
- Leadership through strong people development
- Sales strategy development with a strong focus on customer centric measures
- Performance manager, who empower high-performing sales teams
- Decisive, resilient and Proactive style
- Continuous improvements and profitability optimization
- Risk mitigation and strong H&S focus
Accomplishments
Developed a team that was recognised as the Top influencer and recognised brand through architectural channels
Mitre 10 Trade Finalist of the year
Hobbies and Interests
Travel, Reading, Wine tasting, Rugby supporter, Yoga, Game for any extreme sports. Scuba, sky diving, rap jumping.
Highlights and Personal Strengths
- Have a holistic approach to the business and to the market. I pride myself as a Strategic thinker.
- Change management strategy wins at Humes has been a highlight with people and property goals achieved in first year.
- I was “the face” of GIB Plasterboard promoting alongside our team to industry at large.
- Redefined Club GIB installer program. Part of a defensive strategy
- Shifted GIB Nett promoter score across ADNZ to the top supplier list (ahead of major bands like Resene)
- Customer focused, with effective business communication. Ability to relate to all customers at various levels and build strong relationships.
- Strong legal acumen across property and commercial aspects. Skills in handling sensitive issues with diplomacy and objectivity.
- Proud of the ability to work effectively across teams, internally and externally – strong influencer who communicates with confidence, clarity and enquiry
Languages
English
Professional Working
Dutch
Professional Working
Interests
- Pilates
- Drawing and Painting
- Playing Sports
Timeline
Head of Distribution NI
Humes Pipeline Systems
03.2024 - Current
General Manager
Mitre 10 Henderson and Westgate
03.2021 - 01.2024
Head of National key accounts/Marketing Manager
FMI Building innovation
04.2019 - 01.2021
Partnership and Group home builder Manager
GIB
04.2011 - 04.2019
Country Manager
Ecco Pacific
03.2008 - 04.2011
National Sales/Product manager
Grace Haven Industries
01.2002 - 04.2008
National Architectural Sales manager
GIB
Divisional Category manager – Accessories
GIB
BComm - sales and marketing
School of International Management
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