Tamara Grover
Auckland,New Zealand
Summary
Retail is in my DNA. With over 20 years of experience—15 of those in senior leadership—I’ve built a career around growing high-performing teams, creating standout customer experiences, and leading businesses to success through strategy, operations, and sheer hustle. I’m a big-picture thinker who’s not afraid to roll up my sleeves and get things DONE.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Product and Operations
ilabb
Auckland, NZ
11.2023 - Current
- Think strategy meets streetwear. I lead ilabb’s Go-To-Market roadmap across retail, ecomm, and global wholesale.
- Own the product lifecycle from concept to customer.
- Demand planning meets product buying meets margin magic.
- Run financial forecasting and oversee operational budgets.
- Lead the rollout of Shopify + Cin7 Core. Seamless systems = better business.
- Oversee global logistics + wholesale distribution.
- Final sign-off on product design and concept development.
- Drive sales with in-store training and coaching.
- Optimise stock levels and drive movement with smart inventory planning.
- Visual merchandising that sells, not just looks pretty.
- Country Manager – NZ
Country Manager – NZ
Seed Heritage
Albany, NZ
11.2021 - 11.2023
- Led 13 stores across NZ and transformed the way we sold, styled, and served.
- Boosted service standards nationwide.
- Owned budgets, wage control, and forecasting.
- Introduced onboarding & HR programs that stuck.
- Led performance coaching with real-time results.
- Streamlined inventory ops and reduced shrink.
- Merchandising that aligned to brand and moved product.
- National Retail Manager
National Retail Manager
NZ Uniforms
Albany, NZ
04.2020 - 11.2021
- From schools to stores, I drove performance for 16 stores + 250 retail schools.
- Developed and scaled B2B sales strategy via retail.
- Managed procurement and concept design for uniforms.
- Owned all inventory control + replenishment cycles.
- Spearheaded retail systems training (CRM, Accredo, portals).
- Built a high-performing team culture.
- Translated VM strategy into seasonal execution.
- Hands-on sales training and floor presence.
- National Sales & Ops Manager
National Sales & Ops Manager
Amazon Surf / Quiksilver
Auckland, NZ
08.2016 - 10.2019
- Oversaw 32 stores with a crew of 3 RMs, 2 AMs, and 1 retail co-pilot.
- Delivered company-wide sales strategy.
- Ran wage-to-sales and full P&L management.
- Developed national VM programs and training.
- Launched an online training platform.
- Led the national retail conference – inspiring the next wave.
- Smart inventory decisions = fewer write-offs.
- Regional Manager – NZ
Regional Manager – NZ
Rip Curl
Auckland, NZ
02.2015 - 08.2016
- 6 stores. 6 direct reports. 100% surf, 100% sales.
- Coached teams on KPIs and sales strategy.
- Managed shrinkage, P&Ls, and staffing.
- Product selection tailored for the NZ surf lifestyle.
- Owned merchandising + visual execution across all doors.
Education
No Degree -
Takapuna Grammar
Auckland, NZ01-1996
Skills
- Strategic Retail & Ops Leadership
- Buying, Planning & Product Development
- Demand Forecasting Inventory Wizardry
- Coaching & On-the-Floor Sales Training
- Visual Merchandising with Impact
- Shopify & Cin7 Core Implementation
- P&L Management & Financial Forecasting
- Customer Experience Obsessed
- End-to-End Supply Chain Know-How
- Team Building, Culture & HR
- Design thinking
- Product quality assurance
- Data-driven decision making
- Cross functional leadership
- Customer empathy
- Product portfolio management
- Pricing strategy
- Product training
- Product lifecycle management
- Customer segmentation
- Business model development
- Competitive intelligence
- Go-to-market strategy
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Innovation management
- Attention to detail
- Goal setting
- Staff management
- Interpersonal communication
- KPI tracking
- Timeline management
- Customer training
Training
- Ongoing development in retail, leadership, ops, and strategy
- Proud believer in learning by doing + mentoring the next wave
EARLY YEARS
Cut my teeth in roles at Specialty Fashion Group, Country Road, Bras N Things, and Overland Footwear—rising from Store Sales to Cluster and Regional Management. Each step sharpened my eye, strengthened my backbone, and set me up for leadership.
MY VALUES
Accountability | Integrity | Passion | Respect | Trust
Timeline
Head of Product and Operations
ilabb
11.2023 - Current
Country Manager – NZ
Seed Heritage
11.2021 - 11.2023
National Retail Manager
NZ Uniforms
04.2020 - 11.2021
National Sales & Ops Manager
Amazon Surf / Quiksilver
08.2016 - 10.2019
Regional Manager – NZ
Rip Curl
02.2015 - 08.2016
No Degree -
Takapuna Grammar