Les Gerdes Email & Phone Number

Melbourne, Vic, Au

Melbourne, Vic, Au

Melbourne, Australia

- ResponsibilitiesTo maximize category sales, buying income and market share through a focus on engaging the Baby Bunting customer, profitable product development, selection and sourcing of merchandise that reflects the department strategic plan and overall company strategy.Ensure the category strategic plan achieves all financial measures including OTB, sales, gross margin $ and %.To establish and maintain merchandise assortment to ensure the right stock, right time, right price.Conduct and monitor planning and inventory activities to achieve financial measures.Timely completion of post seasonal analysis, range reviews buy plans and ongoing evidence of review and adjustment.Explore and assess market/product trends – local & internationallyBuy merchandise at prices that maximize gross profit margin and sales opportunitiesDevelop/source products in line with company and category strategy plan.Build strategic relationships that align with business strategy, customer needs, product and financial plansManage suppliers and regularly review their performanceSupplier negotiations and trading terms to obtain the best possible outcomes for Baby Bunting.Research and analyse competitor market activity to ensure that Baby Bunting strengths are leveraged, threats met and opportunities captured.-Key Achievements• Successfully negotiated improved net costs on major volume SKU’s, across our EDLP range• Developed new products, exclusives and opportunities in conjunction with suppliers• Achieved L4L comp growth Sales and GP$ for FY16/17• Achieved budget in Sales and GP$ for FY16/17• Most successful buyer ship Award in Sales & Profit for FY16/17• Achieved L4L comp growth in Sales and GP$ for FY17/18• Achieved L4L comp growth in Sales and GP$ for FY18/19• Achieved budget in Sales and GP$ for FY18/19• Most Successful buyer ship Award in Sales & Profit for FY18/19• Achieved L4L comp growth in Sales and GP$ for FY19/20

Melbourne, Australia

- Responsibilities:To select a range of merchandise that is consistent with the Harris Scarfe customer proposition and is commercially and financially successful in line with sales, gross margin and stock turnover objectives.Source a compelling range of products that meet customer expectations and generate increased demand. Work with planner and buyers admin to create a seasonal/promotional buying plan and a monthly merchandise plan as associated with weekly forecasts. Using sales data analyse merchandise KPI's to understand product performance keeping in mind competitor activity and merchandise trends. Manage supplier relationships and ensure quality is maintained.Drive supplier negotiations to gain appropriate markdown subsidies to assist inventory clearance.Develop a promotional product offer which delivers sales and growth targets and aligns with the marketing strategy. Review previous catalogue performance driving continuous improvement using forecasted sales vs actual as a guide.Maximize financial outcomes for Harris Scarfe when dealing with suppliers and analyse the market and source product which reflects customer demand.- Key Achievements:• Developed new products, exclusive products and opportunities in conjunction with suppliers.• Increased our private label share (Smith+Nobel) from 2% to 12% delivering sales and GP growth for the business YOY.• L4L YOY comp growth in Kitchen Appliances, Laundry and heating & Cooling 3 years in a row.• Buyer of the year award FY13/14.• Merchandise team of the year award FY13/14.

Geelong

- ResponsibilitiesTo maximize departmental sales, buying income and market share through analysis of customer needs, line plans, collaboration with DIG team to ensure department has a range of merchandise that reflects the departmental strategic plan and the overall company strategy.Ensure Buying Plans meet all KPI's and encompass:• Product ranging• Planogram requirements• Suppliers and branding issues• Local/Overseas sourcing• Events/Marketing planningBuild strategic relationship that aligns with business strategy, customer needs, product and financial plans, evaluate and assess suppliers in terms of their capabilities and legal compliance. Analyse financial results/KPIs, review departmental plans, review marketing and advertising performance with planner. Complete regular and exception reporting and analysis for customer, product, suppliers, competition and marketing.- Key Achievements • Grew Market Share of the Target Music business in a declining market.• Grew sales in Gift cards by 4% like for like stores.• Developed new products in TV’s and opportunities in conjunction with suppliers.

Melbourne, Australia

Monitoring competitor activity and recommend solutions to help achieve sales and growth. Determining what items to be ordered per forecasts and inventory targets and promotions, and place purchase orders accordingly with planners and inventory replenishment analysts.Using sales data to review sales information weekly and negotiate prices and special buys with suppliers.Present analysis to include market share/growth trends, promotion effectiveness, pricing and inventory levels within my categories.Build a range within OTB limits and policies.

Melbourne, Australia

- Responsibilities:• Negotiating advertising subsidies by supplier on a monthly basis.• Forecasting of products 3-6 months in advance.• Negotiating new store opening contributions.• Inventory management and setting of core range by demographic.• Selecting product offers for marketing press ads, radio, catalogue and TV.• Conduct supplier meetings to negotiate over and above product deals and improve profitability.• Maintain an effective incentive system to drive sales and profitability.• An understanding of market mix based on analytical data supplied by external source (GFK) and internal sales rate.• Collate weekly deals from all buyers and present to the online web team.• Attend Narta meetings to help drive semi exclusive deals for the group and drive sales and profit.- Key Achievements: • Progressed from buying assistant to buyer of major categories within a 4 year period.• Grew sales in Kitchen Appliances from $9m to $35m.• Year on Year growth up 15% like for like stores.• Grew sales in seasonal from $6m to $23m.• Grew sales in barbecues from $300k to $1.95m.