Steve Edwards Email & Phone Number

District Calgary

After relocating from the UK to Canada in 2008, I started my career as a General Manager for Staples, also known as the 'Working & Learning Company'. My role has seen me work as a highly respected leader across multiple large business units with annual sales in excess of $8M and teams of 25+ employees. I lead strategy, deliver operational excellence, people development, KPI achievement, and hold full P&L accountability. I specialize in flag ship brand- defining new store openings and business development in new market areas, along with forging strong critical client and business relationships. I am an integral member of the district team and a key player in Western Canada for the implementation of brand defining standards, new store openings, and store turn-arounds where culture requires a shift.I additionally served in the role of District Manager for 3 sites - including Yellowknife, where I provided expertise, guidance, and leadership over a 3-month period. I am proud to say that I have been able to leave every store location in which I have worked in a better business position than when I arrived.Some of my key successes include the following:- Leading the charge on all aspects of opening of 3 new flagship brand defining stores including East Hills (2020) and The University District (2022) where we also opened the inaugural Alberta Co-working studio.- Implementing a strong customer focus within all new stores I led, and achieving a customer satisfaction rate of 89.8% during my tenure at the University location.- Revamping store and service standards within the largest Calgary location where we subsequently maximized profitability and boosted the store to a Regional position of the 3rd largest sales volume location in just 12 months.-Coaching ,mentoring, and developing multiple store leadership teams with 6 leaders subsequently being promoted to General Manager running their own store locations.

Birmingham & Midlands Region, United Kingdom

Recruited into a newly implemented Senior Regional Leadership position, to spearhead a large multi-site team across 10 locations, charged with business growth, $25M + in annual revenues, and the delivery of exceptional customer service, client satisfaction and ROI. Fully accountable for the preparation of annual sales budgets, quarterly forecasts and the control of all budgetary spend across all Business Units, along with the production of major B2B to business tender documents, negotiated costs and service level contracts for all large projects including Local Government contracts, and all aspects of recruitment, performance management, development, coaching and communication for the regional team.Key Accomplishments:• Created and Initiated a highly targeted strategic plan that introduced wholesale changes to sales, services, and marketing, successfully increasing annual sales growth, customer pipelines and brand awareness within the first year.- Increased regional sales revenues to $27m from both B2B and private clients, delivering large year on year increases in all prioritized KPI’s - Drove stakeholder engagement efforts through the coordination of networking events for 200+ attendees, trade exhibitions and corporate activities that effectively promoted the business through public relations activities including Radio, TV and Press mediums.

Bimringham & Midlands Regions (Uk)

Led a district of 32 government owned and franchise post office outlets with a weekly cash flow of $15m and a customer base of over 6 million. Directed and oversaw offices to ensure legislative compliance, delivery of operational excellence, and achievement of all SLAs. Provided project management and consulting services to enhance business development strategies throughout the regional network, that also included regional business process improvements related to quality and retail standards. Key business successes include:- The creation and successful execution of a regional sales growth strategy within the network, resulting in over 150 store improvement projects being efficiently completed in 2 years and a 16% YOY volume growth.- Negotiations with key external franchise partners that generated $1.75M+ in new income.- Successful set up of the Retail Change Project function from conception to implementation of new project management and financial accounting systems, and business improvement processes.

London & Birmingham, United Kingdom

Requested to join the auditing team as an Operational Auditor with the main task of producing a complete Procedures and Operations manual to be implemented enterprise-wide across the Dillon's The Bookstore Division of Pentos. In just 12 months I completed the manual, trained all existing Auditors on its use and implemented the procedures across the business.

London & Birmingham, United Kingdom

Led the district across Birmingham and the North West of England with 15 retail outlets delivering $12M in annual sales and 60+ employees. Responsible for all aspects of team leadership, retail operations, training, retailing standards, and financial KPIs.During my tenure I had two large successes:- Leading an effective integration of a large business acquisition across my district into the Ryman format via a change program focusing on improved retail standards and a shift to a profit-driven and procedures based culture.- Recruited and managed 4 new Ryman franchise store owners, supporting them through from store opening and set-up to successful operation.