Edwin Van Der Graaf Email & Phone Number

Hallett Cove, Sa, Au

Mount Waverley , Vic, Au

Mount Waverley , Vic, Au

Adelaide, South Australia, Au

At SME Support Services I help small to medium organisations become leaner, more productive, and competitive through expertise acquired from working with big business. I take the time to genuinely listen to your challenges. We understand that one size does not fit all which is why I provide bespoke solutions to your needs. As a former multi-site franchisee, I understand what it means to own your own business, its highs, and its lows. I understand the different challenges facing single and multi-site store leadership. I have worked with companies with a strong brand presence such as Bunnings, Big W, IKEA, The Good Guys, PACK & SEND, and Priceline Pharmacies.

Booragoon, Western Australia, Au

Melbourne, Vic, Au

The State Manager role supported the vision of the company and the Business Unit Strategy by leading the State Operations team to maximize the value and performance of the stores; it guided the tone and spirit of the franchise partnerships; and supported the profitability of the Franchisees.This role reported to the General Manager – Retail Operations located in Melbourne.Direct reports included five Regional Managers, Pharmacy Dispensary Manager and a State Coordinator. Indirect State-based reports were Network Development Manager and Learning and Development Manager. Total number of sites was 110 across SA/WA/ACT/NT and parts of NSW.Responsibilities:• Embedding values and behaviours by developing Personal, Team, Business and Community Leadership capability• Focus on controlling of risks and drive reduction in LTIFR and MTIFR year on year• Continually deepen market insight to drive relevant and differentiated offers• Ensure that the business model is compelling for partners• Improve the financial model to deliver market leading returns• Optimization of capital investment• Improve investment planning and execution• Business growth ahead of market• Drive strategies led by shopper behaviour to optimize market share growthMajor Achievements included:• Number 1 in Australia for 3 out of 5 Key Performance Indicators in FY 2018• Highest Franchisee Satisfaction result in Australia for FY2018• Invited to participate in Leadership Program after only 3 months with the businessDue to a whole-of-business Transformation Project, the role was made redundant and serviced out of Victoria.

Melbourne , Victoria, Au

The role of General Manager reported to the Territory Executive Manager located in Melbourne. Responsibilities:• As a General Manager, I worked closely with the Store Manager to coach and drive the Leadership Team to meet key business objectives• The role included the development and implementation of Local Area Marketing strategies from concept to implementation (Radio and Newspaper), both at store and state level• Development and implementation of strategies to achieve Sales and EBITDA targets• Increasing Market Share, as well as the setting of fortnightly, monthly and annual targets for the store, departments and employees• A large part of the role included ensuring that Succession Planning was in place providing Business Continuity• Liaising with suppliers and ensuring Visual Merchandising was implemented to a high standardMajor Achievements included:• Complete Cultural and Structural overhaul over an 18-month period• Improved store Metrics by 60+ places over a 12-month period to be in Top 10 out of 100 sites• Second largest turn over in Australia at $44m• Liaised and collaborated with Franchisees in South Australia to drive State financial outcomes• Brought Salaries & Wages in line to company and industry standards with a +20% reduction• Introduced The Good Guys to showcase at The Royal South Australian Show• Invited to participate in new National Commission Structure Trial for The Good Guys• Assigned as one of two Training Stores in Australia (training and re-training of General Managers for VIC, SA & WA)

Moorebank, Nsw, Au

As a Franchisee, the role encompassed all facets of running your own business, backed by a Franchise model.Responsibilities:• Liaising, building and maintaining relationships with Corporate Customers• Negotiating rates with Freight and Packaging Suppliers• Local Area Marketing• Developing and implementing Annual Budgets and Business Plans • Developing and coaching team membersMajor Achievements included:• Asked to assist on the Franchise Advisory Council by CEO• Initiated and chaired a Business Development Group within the PACK & SEND group of 40 stores who discussed issues and developed proposals for Franchisor review and implementation• Negotiated lower preferred supplier Freight Rates with alternate carrier (up to 25% lower in certain lanes)• Awarded the Store of the Year 2011-2012 SA/NT for Export Volume of Sea Freight• Awarded the Store of the Year 2013-2014 Australia for Export Volume of Air Freight• Awarded highest increase in Turnover Aware (YoY) for Lonsdale store (87.0% up on previous year)

Delft, Zuid-Holland, Nl

This role reported to the Country Manager based in Perth. It was a huge opportunity to start the store from concept to opening day and beyond.Responsibilities:• Being the first person to join for the Adelaide Project, I oversaw the building, recruitment and operations project• Recruited an amazing team of 10 executives (Finance, HR, Operations, IT, Food and Beverage, Logistics, Marketing and Operations) who in turn employed a further 32 second-tier managers• The store opened with 445 employees and was recognized as the first store to open on time and below budget out of over 185 stores across the worldMajor Achievements include:• Successfully opened the first IKEA store in Adelaide on time and 15% under budget. Total project of $63m• Successful media campaign which resulted in over $500k in free advertising space in all mediums• Excellent retention of Executive Team over the opening and Post-Opening period• Media spokesperson for South Australia

Burnley, Victoria, Au

Key Functions:• Based in Western Australia’s Support Office.• Reported to the Advertising Manager Western Division.• Liaised with Advertising Agencies, Media (press, television, radio) on behalf of Western Australia, South Australia and Northern Territory (32) stores.• Ensured protection of the brand in all facets of the business.• Produced and authorized all internal and external communication.

Responsibilities:This role reported to the General Manager and was based in Head Office.The role oversaw the operations of the Buying, Advertising, Finance and Operations Teams as well as the Distribution Centre to eighteen (18) stores in WA.As Merchandise and Marketing Manager the role held accountability for Gross Margins, Sales Targets, Stock Turns, Store Presentation, Marketing, Internal Communications and Imports.Major Achievements included:• Developed and implemented a Merchandise Presentation Manual for the company• Selected and attended the “Accelerated Management Development Program” across Australia and New Zealand. Only twenty (20) Executives out of six hundred (600) were selected• Developed and implemented an “open-to-buy” policy for the Buying team• Implemented guidelines and policies for J.I.T buying and warehousing

Burnley, Victoria, Au

Sydney, Nsw, Au