Tony Gallagher

Established an online retail business to take advantage of the online shopping revolution. Responsible for developing the website, sourcing products, developing supplier relationships, establishing service provider relationships, employing/managing staff, set and monitor financial KPIs and setting up social media.

Took a blank canvas and set up a bricks-and-mortar store with an online presence.

Importers/Wholesalers in the retail furniture market.
Supplied Furnishings and Seasonal Goods to mass retailers such as Harvey Norman, Furniture City, Target Furniture, and Composite Retail Group, as well as independent furniture retailers across NZ.
Manage a team of staff and commission-based sales reps.
Develop and maintain relationships with key national retailers.
Develop and maintain overseas supplier relationships.
Establish and negotiate service provider relationships.
Financial planning and KPI analysis.

Merchandise Manager for the Timber/Panel Category - Turnover $250m pa

Key responsibilities included the following:
• Supplier Terms of Trade negotiations
• Trade & Retail advertising programs
• Strategic Initiative development
• Supplier relationships
• Product development
• Budget planning & setting
• Membership communications
• Presentations to Executive team and Board on strategic directions and budget performance responsibility for the category

In 11 years at The Warehouse, I held Senior Buyer roles in the Homewares, Furniture, and Toy Departments.
The Toy department was, at the time, the single largest department in terms of turnover ($200m) in the organization.
Created range offerings to achieve KPI targets. Achieving sales, stock, and GP$ targets consistently. Negotiated with suppliers (both local and overseas) to ensure that ranges represented the best value and point of difference in the market.
Successfully undertook range reviews in all major categories to present a compelling product offer to customers. Responsible for a team of 3, including two Assistant buyers and one Buyers Assistant, with a focus on creating a succession plan for the department. Was also tasked with running the TWL Supplier of the Year Dinner, Charity Golf day, and Charity Auction, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the nominated charity each year.

I was also responsible for coordinating the largest single order in the company's history - 120 x 40ft containers from Australia.