Kim Smith Email & Phone Number

Manchester, England, Gb

Manchester, England, Gb

Manchester And London, Uk

Driving partner investment and ROI growth through marketing and strategic business initiatives

Manchester, United Kingdom

Manchester

Bury

Creating and delivering strategic direction through category plans in order to deliver revenue, margin, stock budgets whilst ensuring keen eye and focus on delivering category P&L improvements. Building close relationships with vendors, the distribution channel, and the different departments within the business has been key to building a tangible strategy for category growth in the future. Aligned to a variety of categories, the cumulative value was in excess of £30m and I developed an embryonic team with a view to developing each of the different categories, resulting in net profit growth YOY.

Bury

Responsible for aligning vendors and product strategy in support of the Equanet go to market model, to drive towards successful delivery of the new customer plan and deliver financial goals and objectives for a profitable and sustainable business. Accountable for securing marketing development funds through improving the awareness, reputation and brand credibility of Equanet. Instrumental in leading change through the project team to develop and launch Equanet’s market leading iPad in Business proposition, resulting an acclaim within Apple account management as “Best in Class” B2B marketing.

Company restructure led to consolidation of roles, resulting in a dual function role combining the Commercial Category Manager and Head of Category roles and responsibilities stated below. My teams focus was on the Infrastructure and software category for B2B customers.

Managing a department of 24 buyers and product managers across both consumer and B2B route to market, with a key focus on leading change by improving policies and processes to deliver internal operational improvements and drive revenue and margin with emphasis on improved EBIT

Driving team performance in delivering category revenue, margin and stock targets (amongst other KPIS) whilst optimising funding through vendor relationships, marketing planning and rebate negotiation. Identification of challenges and opportunities supported by actionable operational business plans and proposed strategic direction

Negotiation and execution of HP print and PC brand range management and product marketing. Developed the HP Business manager role from an operational/functional position into a strategic high profile position within the department and business. I developed this role further to encompass 2 direct reports resulting into subsequent promotion into Category Marketing Manager; leading and directing a team of varied experience in the execution of daily business operations including appraisals, 121’s and performance management. Actively developed, negotiated and managed category marketing including vertical optimisation, pricing management and competitor analysis.

Internal sales account manager for Hardware products (PC/Print/AV) for top Northern Accounts, including PC World Business Direct. Responsible for driving sales margin targets, reporting account performance, customer account visits and quarterly business reviews. I also acted as deputy sales team leader in support of the Dealer North team.

Postgraduate Degree, Management Practice And Senior Leader Apprenticeship, Gpa A4, 73% First Class Or Distinction Equivalent

Reflexive Leadership in Context Market Led Strategy Measuring Business Value Innovation & Entrepreneurship Strategic Commercial Management.

Ba (Hons) European Business And Languages, Business Studies, Marketing, Law, French, Spanish, Motivational Theories, 2:1

A-Level, Business Studies, French, German, General Studies