Neil O'Brien Email & Phone Number

Bradford, United Kingdom

Bradford, United Kingdom

Working directly for the Head of Department in a Head Office based role to support a multi million pound, group wide rollout of a new automated ordering system- Provide operational support to store and regional teams- Produce training materials for Area Coaches to run a mixture of shop floor and classroom based training- Deputise for the Head of Department- Produce and provide detailed project updates to operations directors, regional managers and area coaches- Provide… Show more Working directly for the Head of Department in a Head Office based role to support a multi million pound, group wide rollout of a new automated ordering system- Provide operational support to store and regional teams- Produce training materials for Area Coaches to run a mixture of shop floor and classroom based training- Deputise for the Head of Department- Produce and provide detailed project updates to operations directors, regional managers and area coaches- Provide direction and support to field based area coaches, ensuring a consistent level of support is given to store teams by producing structured visit guidance and logs Show less

Field Based

Working with a group of 31 stores on a company wide initiative to improve availability, by the introduction of new reporting, improved ways of working and ensuring store compliance• Facilitated group training sessions for store team and duty managers, ensuring the colleagues had the knowledge and the understanding to confidently coach their own store teams• Spent time with senior management teams and colleagues in store, reinforcing the company message, coaching to improve… Show more Working with a group of 31 stores on a company wide initiative to improve availability, by the introduction of new reporting, improved ways of working and ensuring store compliance• Facilitated group training sessions for store team and duty managers, ensuring the colleagues had the knowledge and the understanding to confidently coach their own store teams• Spent time with senior management teams and colleagues in store, reinforcing the company message, coaching to improve performance• Formulated route plans and priorities based on levels of understanding and compliance on previous visits together with centrally provided data• Communicated important messages to Store General Managers and their teams via email and store walks• Provided action plans for store teams to address shortfalls and drive improvement• Provided detailed feedback to the central Retail Leadership Team• Worked alongside the Regional Operations Manager to ensure a consistent message is given in store and escalated any issues Show less

Staveley, Chesterfield

Accountability for growing sales and profitability throughout numerous areas of the store. Managed teams to deliver KPI's and compliance throughout the operation, whilst delivering excellent standards of customer service;• Monitor and review staff and store performance on a regular basis and a twice yearly PDR process with salaried managers• Demanding and delivering high store standards at all times• Ensuring company payroll targets are met through effective colleague… Show more Accountability for growing sales and profitability throughout numerous areas of the store. Managed teams to deliver KPI's and compliance throughout the operation, whilst delivering excellent standards of customer service;• Monitor and review staff and store performance on a regular basis and a twice yearly PDR process with salaried managers• Demanding and delivering high store standards at all times• Ensuring company payroll targets are met through effective colleague scheduling, deployment and control of variable costs such as premium working and overtime• Driving sales through effective merchandising a maximising team performance• Minimising shrinkage through defensive merchandising, ensuring security policies are followed and colleague coaching/engagement• Leading by example in all aspects of the role• Dealing with customer complaints and promoting a proactive approach in their reduction by striving to provide an excellent customer experience• Training, coaching, supervising and appraising colleagues• Maintaining accurate statistical and financial records• Experience in operating stores turning over in excess of £60m Show less

Field Based

Working within a small central team developing and deploying new initiatives across the retail business to help drive efficiency;• Using DMAIC methodology delivered a £1.5m in labour saving to the business by implementing more efficient operating models to various departments in store• Part of a small team responsible for designing, developing and implementing a centralised department in store, achieving an annual labour saving of £10m with no negative impact on key metrics such as… Show more Working within a small central team developing and deploying new initiatives across the retail business to help drive efficiency;• Using DMAIC methodology delivered a £1.5m in labour saving to the business by implementing more efficient operating models to various departments in store• Part of a small team responsible for designing, developing and implementing a centralised department in store, achieving an annual labour saving of £10m with no negative impact on key metrics such as sales, availability or waste• Coached store teams in a Lab Store environment set up to develop a companywide rollout plan• Field support/management experience personally coaching and ensuring compliance from in excess of 100 stores• Introduced a new more efficient replenishment model to stores saving the business in excess of £20m• Facilitated training sessions around the country for store senior management teams• Provided support to store and field management teams in the delivery of new processes• Promoting and supporting a cross functional culture of continuous improvement• Formulation of company wide training materials and associated new process briefs• Provide detailed project updates to key internal and external stakeholders Show less

Accountability for growing sales and profitability throughout numerous areas of the store. Managed teams to deliver KPI's and compliance throughout the operation, whilst delivering excellent standards of customer service;• Monitor and review staff and store performance on a regular basis and a twice yearly PDR process with salaried managers• Demanding and delivering high store standards at all times• Ensuring company payroll targets are met through effective colleague… Show more Accountability for growing sales and profitability throughout numerous areas of the store. Managed teams to deliver KPI's and compliance throughout the operation, whilst delivering excellent standards of customer service;• Monitor and review staff and store performance on a regular basis and a twice yearly PDR process with salaried managers• Demanding and delivering high store standards at all times• Ensuring company payroll targets are met through effective colleague scheduling, deployment and control of variable costs such as premium working and overtime• Driving sales through effective merchandising a maximising team performance• Minimising shrinkage through defensive merchandising, ensuring security policies are followed and colleague coaching/engagement• Leading by example in all aspects of the role• Dealing with customer complaints and promoting a proactive approach in their reduction by striving to provide an excellent customer experience• Training, coaching, supervising and appraising colleagues• Maintaining accurate statistical and financial records• Experience in operating stores turning over in excess of £60m Show less

Departmental Manager of the highest turnover Grocery department in the area. General responsibilities included;* Working alongside the store Senior Management Team and Night Management teams to plan and implement store promotional package changes. * Ensure department availability is within acceptable perimeters by completing, coaching and supporting relevant staff and back checking store orders.* Responsible for department legalities such as correct pricing and correct… Show more Departmental Manager of the highest turnover Grocery department in the area. General responsibilities included;* Working alongside the store Senior Management Team and Night Management teams to plan and implement store promotional package changes. * Ensure department availability is within acceptable perimeters by completing, coaching and supporting relevant staff and back checking store orders.* Responsible for department legalities such as correct pricing and correct application of promotional packages.* People Management, continually motivating, assessing, directing, training and developing assistant management/supervisors and staff to achieve the highest possible standards.* Formulate effective, fair colleague schedules. Show less

General responsibilities included;* Working alongside the store Senior Management Team to plan and implement store promotional package and seasonal changes. * Ensure department availability is within acceptable perimeters by completing, coaching and supporting relevant staff and back checking store orders. * Responsible for department legalities such as correct pricing and correct application of promotional packages.* People Management, continually motivating, assessing… Show more General responsibilities included;* Working alongside the store Senior Management Team to plan and implement store promotional package and seasonal changes. * Ensure department availability is within acceptable perimeters by completing, coaching and supporting relevant staff and back checking store orders. * Responsible for department legalities such as correct pricing and correct application of promotional packages.* People Management, continually motivating, assessing, directing, training and developing assistant management/supervisors and staff to achieve the highest possible standards.* Formulate effective, fair colleague schedules.* Direct responsibility for a number of high value areas in store such as Electrical, Sound and Vision, Music, DVD, Games and 'Techno Bar' items. Ensuring these high margin areas are maintained to a high standard with stimulating visual merchandising, application of POS and above all excellent availability standards by accurate and timely counting and liaising with Sales Management teams Show less

Education record

4x A Levels in Business Studies, ICT, Sociolgy and General Studies

Education record

10x GCSE level C and above