Leading the Cleaning, Storage and Home Decor merchandising team. Developing and implementing the category strategy. Driving sales and cash with on shelf availability and promotional volume implementation. Managing a lean supply chain and just in time stock control.

The Outdoor Living Demand planner role covers the Seasonal BBQ and Garden Furniture categories as well as the Garden Landscaping area.This means I deal with some of the world's largest Gardening brands such as Keter and Gardman. With the help of two demand co-ordinators we plan the future inbound of stock from all over the world. As well as forecasting all of the future sales across thousands of lines.I also manage the WSSI's for all three extensive categories. The role also requires effective communication with the rest of the Supply Chain. The role requires not only an analytical view of supply chain efficiencies, but also a focused view of the customer experience.

The Seasonal Merchandiser role allowed me to return to a fast paced high profile category with a complex supply chain as well as logistical fulfilment route challenges. Using my previous experience of foreign stock consolidation, I successfully helped develop a direct to store project for BBQ's and Garden Furniture from China, saving large amounts of distribution cost in the UK warehouses.I also had to work across two separate IT systems as the new role required working in conjunction with Argos. Having quickly picked up the new system and traded the second half of the Summer of 2015 with great success I helped launch an increased buy at cost for 2016, with a sales potential of over £100 million.Again this role required the line management of two Assistant Merchandisers, a role that I particularly enjoy. At this time I was also asked to help set up a mentoring network across the commercial function. The ASK mentoring network that we achieved with great success is something I'm immensely proud of.The 2016 summer range was launched in full after months of logistical planning to ensure the stock arrived JIT, there was also very close consultation with the buying team and product development to produce the market leading breadth of range, price points and customer fulfilment routes.

• This promotion gave me further experience in a large number of core DIY categories. Starting with immediately implementing a new intake of confectionary at the front of store with a leading confectionary supplier. Driving incremental sales and impulse attachments through the Impulse and commission categories, whilst also managing the merchandising of the plumbing category. I also line managed and trained a brand new Assistant Merchandiser, who was new to the business.• I was then moved onto two more core categories (Timber and Building Materials). This included the management of the largest DIY supplier in the Homebase DIY World, within the Timber category. I also took on the additional responsibility of merchandising the Decorative Fittings category which included the management of nearly 1000 articles. This meant I took on the additional line management responsibility of another Assistant Merchandiser which gave me the opportunity to help develop both of these colleagues further. I was delighted to see both Assistant Merchandisers get promoted during the period I helped line manage them.• Managing Displacement stock and RIMI's (Rapid Implementation Merchandising Initiatives) were a key part of this period as we tried to drive core sales with new suppliers being introduced to try and make up a deficit to the balance of year budget. This period also relied on very close attention to detail on the open to buy and budgetary spend across these core categories.

• Working with fast paced seasonal trend lead products in the home area• Producing analysis on sales densities to improve range profitability through heat maps • Managing the WSSI for both domestic and import orders• Helping implement visual merchandising initiatives to help stores "create the look" • Forecasting sales across trend, core and special buy lines including for seasonal promotional periods and locations• Analysing weekly sales using a variety of my own trackers and article level detail summaries • Engaging with suppliers and managing the distribution of stock, by negotiating cost prices, ordering stock, agreeing timescales and delivery dates, and completing the necessary paperwork;

• A key component of the Award winning Direct to Store consolidation project at the Global Freight Awards Supply Chain Partnership Award (Large) 2013• In conjunction with product development and the buying team, deciding the volumes to purchase for the Season. As well as plan in their logistical arrival to the distribution centres and customer fulfilment channel delivery.• Planning seasonal product ranges and preparing sales and stock plans in conjunction with buyers; • Liaising with buyers, merchandisers, analysts, stores, suppliers and distributors; • Managing the WSSI • Working closely with visual display staff and department heads to decide how goods should be displayed to maximise customer interest and sales; • Forecasting sales across promotional and non promotional lines, and optimising the sales volume and profitability of designated product areas; • Using systems knowledge to produce headline and deep dive sales and stock information. • Monitoring slow sellers and taking action to reduce prices or set promotions as necessary; • Analysing previous season's sales and reporting on the current season's lines; • Managing clearance pricing to clear seasonal range.• Identifying production and supply difficulties and dealing with any problems or delays as they arise;

Unpaid 8 week period working on Garden Power Tools and Garden Buildings categories. This involved working with some of the world's leading gardening brands, including Karcher, Forest Garden and Bosch.My main area of focus was driving additional growth through our online channel. I worked with the suppliers to drive additional online content, enhanced images and more insightful product descriptions. This played a part in a £250k YOY online sales increase accross these categories over the 8 week period.

Highly enjoyable part time Summer holiday work for 5 weeks. Duties included:Providing insightful and clear guidance and communication to other playleaders as well as co-ordinating and organising a varied programme of onsite activities for a variety of children aged between 5-13.This included visits from the Childcare Development team, this also required young person first aid training as well as detailed health and safety risk assement and administration.

Part time Summer holiday work. Helping run a children's actvity course for 5 weeks. This involved communicating effectively with parents, carers and children and playleaders.Ensuring that child wellbeing and saftey was paramount at all times.