Stuart Bennett Email & Phone Number

Melbourne, Vic, Au

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

In this role I am responsible for the management of all Mass Merchant & Pool Specialist Key Accounts across Australia and New Zealand. I lead a team of highly motivated and passionate state account managers across Australia, working with them to deliver consistent year on year growth though strong relationships, strategic planning, and execution.

Melbourne, Australia

In this role I was responsible for managing the companies Small Appliance and Seasonal portfolios from source to shelf across the market. This is a diverse role that covers every aspect of both Product and Account management across multiple channels including Hardware (IHG / Bunnings), Department and Mass Merchants (Harvey Norman through to Big W / Target etc) and FMCG.

Melbourne, Australia

My responsibilities at PPG included managing all brands in the PPG portfolio within the Bunnings business nationally. Key achievements in this role include: Worked closely with Territory Managers across the country to grow their stores sales through regular store visits, coaching and feedback. Developed a strategic plan that saw our share of Bunning’s commercial sales grow in excess of 25% vs last year.Built relationships with key commercial contacts resulting in PPG being the preferred commercial partner for paint within Bunnings. In lieu of a CRM system, I developed and streamlined reporting for our Territory Managers to use that helped identify growth opportunities in Bunnings. Managed a number of varied projects including; o Implementing a cloud based business intelligence (BI) system for our field team to use.o Managed the account execution (account head office & field) of multiple premium range product re-launches.

Auckland, New Zealand

DIY Resolutions New Zealand supply painting accessories and flat-packed kitchens exclusively to Bunning’s in Australia and New Zealand. Key achievements in this role include: • Created and launched a trade installation service.• Implemented a job management software solution that managed our trade installation service, and trade design service. • Recruited and managed a team of contract installers. • Created an audit process to ensure a consistent high quality of work. • Project managed the tender process for several large scale developments.• Developed and grew multi-level relationships across the Bunnings business (from a senior level down).• Identified areas of process improvement and implemented them company wide. • Completed business strategies for the trade side of our business. • Increased trade share of the business from 54% to 65% of total sales by the end of my first full financial year (overall sales also increased).

Manukau City

This role with AHM was created as a result of business growth, when it was decided that the role of Category Manager was big enough to be split into the different roles of Product Manager and National Account Manager. As the focus of my previous role was very much product orientated, I decided to take on the challenge of Account Management. My national accounts initially included Bunnings and The Warehouse Ltd, but grew to include Placemakers, rural accounts and rewards programs. I was eventually responsible for over half of the company’s turnover. Key achievements in this role include: •Creating a national promotional program that created incremental sales growth and took market share from competitors.•Terms of trade negotiations with key retail partners.•Completed range reviews for several major categories that resulted in positive change and growth that benefited both the customer and AHM. •Grew sales in major accounts through good category management and sales analysis.•Created and developed cross functional relationships between the newly created sales team and product team.

Manukau City

After being with AHM for a little over a year, I was promoted to the position of Category Manager. Initially I was responsible for the Garden tools category, but later was also given Hand tools, Hardware and Automotive Accessories, making me responsible for over half of the company’s turnover.My role covered all aspects of category management from international product sourcing, range development, cost pricing, packaging development as well as key account managing major accounts. Key achievements in this role include: •Successfully gaining Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditation for AHM. •Successfully completed several major range reviews for various retailers that resulted in significant gains for AHM.•Successfully gained ranging, and key Garden Tool supplier status with Masters Home Improvement in Australia. •Strengthened relationships between AHM and existing major accounts. •Took part in several overseas buying trips, including China and Europe.•Managed the relationship with my key manufacturers locally and overseas. •Conducted site visits to major manufactures locally and in China.

Ellerslie

With AHM, I was responsible for the largest retail hardware Market in New Zealand. My responsibilities include business to business sales at a field level, development and implementation of marketing plans within the local market and constant product and category review and analysis to ensure maximum penetration across all accounts.

Auckland

During my time with The Change Group, I was responsible for the effective operational running of 12 retail foreign exchange outlets through out New Zealand. My duties included; team rostering, recruitment and selection, preparation and analysis of budgets, ensuring all branches had adequate local and foreign currency, performance management of team, new business development, developing and maintaining business relationships and handling of all customer complaints.

Auckland

During my time with Dulux, I was afforded the opportunity to take on extra responsibilities beyond that of a Sales Representative. I was given 2 national accounts to manage, as well as put in charge of maintaining and further developing our Quarterly Business Review program (in depth analysis of key accounts, resulting in bilaterally agreed action plans which created significant growth from these accounts)

Auckland

Auckland