Category Buyer for Fresh: Deli, Hotbox, Meat Case and Bakery

* 4 x Direct State Manager Reports, 7 x Team leaders and 400+ team membersMy primary purpose was to drive innovation & improvement, identify areas of opportunity, develop & implement solutions and monitor ongoing performance. My role encompassed leadership of a National team including state managers, team leaders & field team, ensuring effective and timely execution of client marketing campaigns. As the operations team we drove team engagement of a remote field force by maintaining an energised, solutions focused and communicative culture. I spearheaded change management programs and implemented plans to ensure deliverables were met. I also provided strategic guidance to our client services team, facilitate internal training programs and IT changes/projects/implementations with SPAR US.Sparfacts provides national merchandising, marketing, sales solutions to wholesalers, marketers, suppliers and retailers for national and international brands. Including in store merchandising, auditing, POS distribution, sales assistance, reporting analysis, retail & consumer research, consumer & store education and brand marketing support. Sparfacts operates as a third party service provider primarily in MASS merchants, dept. stores, discount dept. stores, grocery and pharmaceutical channels. Sparfacts is part of the Global SPAR community across 9 countries with their international headquarters based in New York.ACHIEVEMENTS• Delivered Australia's first 'team total' external resourcing solution to Target stores nationally and achieved an immediate 20% growth in category. • Successfully rolled out the SPAR mobile reporting app to 100% of team members nationally, being the first country in the SPAR group internationally to do so. • Seamlessly rolled out the introduction of a new BYOD (Bring your own device) program. Revolutionising how we do business for both our clients & field team, delivering increased productivity & massive cost savings to the business.

* Responsible for 100+ team members across QLD & NT & 3 x Team LeadersIn addition to the QLD/NT State Manager role I took on a senior state manager role assisting the National Field Manager to communicate business directives, implement process changes, undertake quality audits, identify areas of improvement and communicate consistent strategic direction at a national level. Maximising productivity of both the support office and field team.

* Responsible for 145+ team members & 2 x Team LeadersLead the QLD/NT field team to achieve client focused outcomes and high performance standards. Directly responsible for the recruitment, selection and training of all team members. Provide support and assistance to ensure all work is reported accurately and in a timely manner. Communication link between the field team, Sparfacts office and clients to; escalate or resolve any issues that may arise. Participate in offering support to the wider team, by sharing a unique perspective, strategy and vision.ACHIEVEMENTS• First State Manager to complete field training and execution of significant business changes; moving from paper reporting to web based reporting online. Deadline of two months executed in under three weeks for all team members.• Key member of national online E-training rollout team, involved in designing and auditing field training packages.• Consistently achieved record breaking results for promotional launches for our No. 1 client across QLD & NT.

* Managed up to 16 department managers and 200+ team membersWhilst working as a merchandise manager I was placed on multiple project assignments to restructure, implement effective processes and improve operational efficiency.Merchandise Manager Pacific Fair | Apr 2005 - Jul 2005 Acting Store Manager (Relief) Carindale | Feb 2005 - Apr 2005 Merchandise Manager Pacific Fair | Sept 2004 - Feb 2005 Acting Store Manager (Holiday Relief) Pacific Fair | Aug 2004 - Sept 2004 Merchandise Manager Runaway Bay | Jun 2004 - Aug 2004 Acting Store Manager (LSL Relief) Tweed May | 2004 – Jun 2004 Merchandise Manager Runaway Bay | Feb 2004 - May 2004 Acting Store Manager (Project Assignment) Cairns | Jan 2004 – Feb 2004Acting Store Manager (Secondment) Tweed | Nov 2003 – Jan 2004Merchandise Manager Southport | Mar 2003 - Nov 2003Merchandise Manager Robina | Aug 2002 - Mar 2003ACHIEVEMENTS• Produced record breaking sales results for post-Christmas sales with a 40% increase in sales on previous year.• Successfully maintained and grew sales across multiple categories in Target’s biggest trading store in QLD, with over $28 million per year in sales.• Achieved 15% sales growth in a store that had nil sales growth for 5 years previous.• Created a sales floor team training package to develop new & existing team members. Training package was implemented at state level across all QLD stores.• Store recognized with the highest % growth nationally during assigned time in role.• Managed the second highest trading store in QLD achieving 25% growth across the store during time in role.

Whilst working as a business manager I had exposure across all apparel departments including ladieswear, menswear, childrenswear, Nursery, Shoes, Fashion Accessories, Intimate apparel, toiletries, cosmetics and fragrances.ACHIEVEMENTS• Consistently maintained the No.1 Ladieswear department in the country for 2.5yrs.• Achieved solid double digit year on year growth across all departments managed.Feb 1999 - Aug 2002 - Business Manager Level 1 Dec 1997 - Feb 1999 - Business Manager Level 2 Dec 1996 - Dec 1997 - Business Manager Level 3