Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the principal relationship for over 15 brands (Alcohol, grocery and non food) including ranging, buying, implementation, pricing negotiations for existing range and new product development (NPD) for Ireland and GB. This also includes creation & execution of brand principal business plans and range development.

•Management of multiple non food and core grocery categories to include; Preserves, home baking, desserts, natural foods & free from, canned veg, snack meals, foods of the world, condiments, sauce & pickle, oils, soup, pet foods and baby. This included admin upkeep on all ranges to keep the price file portfolio accurate all year round.•Category management of all ranges to include seasonal plans, value through own brand & the development of new products from concept through to commercial launch to keep categories relevant and innovated in conjunction with cross functional teams especially the supply chain team to ensure optimal launch of new ranges across SuperValu, Centra & Mace stores.•Ensured a full understanding, buy-in & implementation of the category strategies & promotional event plans through engagement with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Suppliers and Retailers with a view to optimising sales effectiveness & profitability.•The range performance monitored in terms of volume, margin & market share & taking appropriate steps as necessary to achieve category targets including monthly meetings attended to discuss, action and resolve any issues regarding slow selling lines, promotional overstocks, long term supply issues, challenges with service levels.•Development & implementation of sales, margin & supplier Income targets & budgets for the coming year by both supplier & category as well as balancing the margin mix between cost, wholesale price and retail selling price to deliver annual margin category targets. As well as an annual preparation & delivery of annual buying plan outlining income strategy & actions to achieve all financial targets, own brand & range review plans. A quarterly review of budget & business plan to ensure progress for YTG.•Relationships built & maintained with suppliers to develop & deliver JBP & activity plans throughout the year as well as ongoing negotiation of purchase price, supply terms & conditions and supplier income.

•Trained in AutoCAD (City & Guilds Level 2)•Macro category layouts for both existing and new Henderson retail stores as well as independent retailers. Work on commodity strategies by Format using the principles of Drive/Hold/Squeeze and therefore review the Macro layouts to reflect this when working on project or new stores.•Involved in redesign projects such as designing our new checkouts, finding the ideal shelving as well as continually seeking better merchandising solutions for our products.• Category space planner for multiple Ambient categories as well as all Confectionery and all Frozen categories for the Henderson estate. Manage, control and deliver the Category Review process across Ambient, Confectionery and Frozen departments. Communicating the benefits and opportunities of each category review to the HRL team to drive buy-in and therefore compliance.•Develop, define, and maintain Micro Layout Principles by format for Henderson Retail stores; defining the flows, adjacencies, and cross merchandising guidelines. • Spaceman / Microsoft packages/Company data streams: Spaceman Professional, My.Spaceman, Microsoft Outlook, Excel and the Henderson Group data platforms used on a daily basis. Henderson Group data platforms allow data to be extracted and then analysed pre and post reviews within Spaceman and Excel.• Suppliers: Building relationships ongoing with new and current suppliers to ensure the best range is currently in the Henderson estate. Regularly updated with new trends and changes within the market.• Supply chain: Working with all parts of the supply chain to effectively deliver planograms. Working closely with the Trading Managers, Replenishment Team, In-house System replenishment Team, Area Managers and Stores. Ensuring that all planograms are tested and trialled before the release of the review/new planogram.• Upkeep and ongoing maintenance of planograms: NPD, supplier delists, changes in product.

• Category space planner for multiple Ambient and Smokers requisites categories as well as all of the Frozen categories for the Henderson estate. I currently manage and carry out multiple category reviews as well as maintaining other categories.• Spaceman / Microsoft packages/Company data streams: Spaceman Professional, My.Spaceman, Microsoft Outlook, Excel and the Henderson Group data platforms used on a daily basis. Henderson Group data platforms allow data to be extracted and then analysed pre and post reviews within Spaceman and Excel.• Suppliers: Building relationships ongoing with new and current suppliers to ensure the best range is currently in the Henderson estate. Regularly updated with new trends and changes within the market.• Supply chain: Working with all parts of the supply chain to effectively deliver planograms. Working closely with the Trading Managers, Replenishment Team, In-house System replenishment Team, Area Managers and Stores. Ensuring that all planograms are tested and trialled before the release of the review/new planogram.• Upkeep and ongoing maintenance of planograms: NPD, supplier delists, changes in product.

In my role, I led various key responsibilities within the Spaceman system. These included the creation of new products, efficient management of delisted products and code changes on a weekly basis, and the timely issuance of communication to the EUROSPAR/SPAR estate regarding planogram updates. I collaborated closely with multiple departments, ensuring coordination of changes before planogram updates, and I facilitated the sharing of changes on the online portal.I took ownership of cyclical planograms, meticulously preparing and maintaining the three-week promotional planogram cycle across Ambient, Fresh, and Frozen promotions. My contributions extended to generating sales per space analysis for all HRL stores quarterly, which played a crucial role in different parts of the business. Additionally, I provided valuable data analysis for category reviews as needed. I also created innovative planogram designs using Spaceman's output designer for various HWL plans and am proficiently trained in both My.Spaceman and Spaceman Professional.

In my role, I oversee stock management for three direct suppliers, a vital responsibility involving order scheduling, inventory maintenance, and trend forecasting to optimize stock deliveries to stores. My daily tasks include analysing sales and providing valuable feedback to suppliers, helping them identify top-selling products and high-performing stores. Managing promotions and resolving stock issues are key aspects of my role. Prior to, during, and after promotions, I rely on Excel analysis to inform future forecasting decisions. One of my significant achievements has been the successful rollout and maintenance of an automated ordering system across our FMCG stores. I am also responsible for training store staff on the effective use of these replenishment systems, employing a variety of teaching techniques to ensure comprehensive understanding and proficient daily operation. I also provided continuous support to our stores, offering ongoing training, resolving issues, overseeing ordering processes, implementing change initiatives, and conducting regular audits to ensure adherence to established procedures.

I played a pivotal role in supporting daily operations and ensuring the highest standards of customer care. My responsibilities included supervising and motivating the team, managing inventory and stock levels. Customer service was a key element to the role with serving customers, addressing queries, and providing expert advice on products where possible. My role demanded strong organizational skills to maintain a smooth workflow, monitor stock availability, and ensure compliance with all procedures in store. My experience as an Assistant Manager strengthened my leadership abilities, honed my problem-solving skills, and deepened my commitment to customer service and retail excellence.

As a Starbucks Barista, my role was to craft and serve a diverse range of coffee-based beverages while providing exceptional customer service. Engaging with customers is key, taking their orders and offering recommendations. Accurate order processing, cash handling, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace are crucial aspects of the role. Learning the Starbucks menu, promotions, and customization options enabled me to meet customers' preferences effectively. Collaboration with the team members was essential during busy periods to ensure seamless transactions. Continuous learning about coffee trends and techniques allowed me to excel in the role and allowed me to deliver the renowned Starbucks experience.