Mark Schofield Email & Phone Number

The Great Northern Manchester

Corn Exchange Manchester

Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

Responsible for assisting centre manager in managing the overall operations of the UK’s Largest Designer Outlet comprising of over 150 retail stores including; supervision of team members, the administration of center sales performance, profitability, procedural compliance and customer service expectations. Developing and implementing a comprehensive Strategic Business Plan addressing the opportunities and needs of the centre. Maintaining exceptional visual presentation, design standards and merchandise use for the retail zones of the property. Creating a world class shopping experience for customers through establishing and maintaining exceptional operating standards. Maximising the outlet’s influence and leadership position in the community.Projects & Accomplishments: • Increased centre turnover growth and average spend by 49% to £250ml and 42% to £94 respectively since 2009 and visitor numbers from 6.81ml to 7.75ml.• Developed centre income streams to support increases in NOP (to £19ml), through commercial development, rental income and the introduction of ‘Pop-Up’ shops. In addition to pro-actively asset managing poor performing brands out of the centre, reducing the risk of ‘bad debt’.• Challenged and improved key areas, delivering greater operational efficiency across the centre; making savings of £500k thus allowing increased expenditure to improve the customer journey.• Successfully drove low void rates (at 2%) through close working relationship with the Head Office Leasing Team, improving on unit down time therefore reducing owner’s liability on void service and marketing charges, asset management costs; as well as liability on Business Rate charges.• Ensured that relationships were maintained and built upon with all clients, investors and brand partners. In addition to Local Community relationships, culminating in an invitation to sit on the Ellesmere Port Development Board.

Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

Responsible for the management and support of the marketing strategy at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet to maximise the retail performance of 150 stores within the centre. Presented a clean, neat and organized shopping environment for customers. Partnered with merchandising teams to plan and execute floor moves, merchandise placement and sales set-up. Coached store teams to consistently deliver effective selling behaviors resulting in high customer engagement. Ensured optimum sales floor coverage and led selling initiatives throughout the stores as needed.Projects & Accomplishments: • Turnover and traffic growth driven by 5% and 8% respectively from 2004 - 2009.• Delivered a substantial increase in centre ‘Non Rental/Other Income’, taking this income stream from £13k in 2004/2005 to £400k in 2008/2009.• Identified the top 10 brands to move from Base into Turnover rent during 2008, successfully achieving this and added an additional £1.75ml in turnover rent and achieved bonus on the same.• Achieved improved Customer Service Levels across the centre, with the average Mystery Shop score rising from 67% in 2005 to 89% in 2009.• Successfully lobbied to employ a Visual Merchandiser for the centre on a permanent basis. As a result achieved improved Visual Merchandising standards across the centre, achieved support from brand partners and successfully demonstrating the link between excellent VM standards and increases in turnover. • Driven the improvements in the aesthetic appearance of the centre since 2004, from signage to landscaping and overall cleaning standards. This also included improvements to the centres Christmas decorations, lighting scheme and the introduction of the UK’s Largest Christmas Tree.

Fradley Park, Staffordshire

Responsible for leading Logistics Operations Center. Developed ongoing supply chain business strategies to leverage all company operations (i.e. distribution, transportation and purchasing, etc.). Provided leadership, management and training for staff of 30 people. Managed space utilization/layout and maximized usage/making recommendations to improve operational efficiency as necessary. Projects & Accomplishments:• Delivered 83% increased volume of peak equipment to M&S stores whilst controlling incurred costs by only 50%, achieving an overall saving of £100k.• Exceeded targets in reducing distribution costs to M&S stores by £1.5m, whilst increasing service level and sales.• Achieved full peak 2003 distribution to all 420 M&S store locations.• Achieved 99% stock availability and 98% stock accuracy.• Designed and implemented new site management restructure resulting in an increased bottom line profit of £35k.• Delivered a saving of £130k through reduced transport costs.• Established and ran remote seasonal Peak product distribution centre for Focus-do-it-All.

Draycott-In-The-Clay, Derbyshire

Spearheaded efforts across entire spectrum of functions pertaining to logistics, warehouse, material management & client management for Marks & Spencer sales floor equipment Division. Formulated strategies for supply chain management, inventory planning, process improvements, quality assurance and on-time delivery. Conforming to productivity goals across M&S stores chain; optimizing resources while identifying and mitigating bottlenecks, in addition to delivering improved service levels to the client.Projects & Accomplishments:• Increased the profit contribution of the M&S contract by over 50% within 12 months.• Won and successfully managed the contract for the refurbishment, storage, distribution and post peak collection of M&S sales floor Christmas decorations for peak 2002.• Hit all financial targets set by Hays, with profit contribution in excess of £1ml per annum.• Improved services available to M&S Head Office and stores establishing, Special Service Stores and the provision of ‘equipment kiting’ (a new service to all M&S stores).• Implemented the PIR of the peak 2001 operation and administered all the required changes which resulted in an enhanced and successful peak 2002 operation.

Meadowhall Sheffield, Salford Quays Manchester And Head Office London.

Responsible for maximising the commercial performance of stores, by providing strategic advice and solutions relating to all operational issues. Created an effective interface for Marks & Spencer between its stores, suppliers and relevant Head Office departments. This resulting in the achievement of commercial targets, the maximising of operational efficiency, business integrity and outstanding customer service. Key operational accountability for 25 stores with an annual sales turnover in excess of £400 ml.Projects & Accomplishments:• Produced a commercial/logistical ‘Risk Analysis’ report with recommendations for stores, which was successfully implemented business wide prior to peak trading and recognised at board level ‘as a significant contribution to the achievement of commercial targets’.• Enhanced regional store merchandising and sales indicators.• Improved shrinkage within the region by 2%.• Successfully deputised for both the Divisional Commercial Controller and Meadowhall Regional Manager during annual leave periods.• Reorganised and produced improved commercial and operational peak planning procedures for the business.• Headed Divisional implementation of the new General Merchandise stock replenishment system, improving availability and proportionality of merchandise in stores to 98%.• Supported the project management of a £50ml budget, delivering on time an additional 180k sq ft of retail space for M&S stores in Leeds, York, Sheffield and Meadowhall.• Exceeded targets in reducing distribution costs to stores by £1.5ml, whilst increasing service and sales.

Barnsley, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Manchester, Liverpool, Stockport, Blackpool,

Joined M&S in 1984 on the Young Management Training programme and then in the following 12 years progressed through the commercial side of the business with increasing seniority of positions up to 1996 when I grasped the opportunity to work as a Regional Operations Manager.