Gary Hughes Email & Phone Number

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom

Selling a range of licensed and generic games & puzzles including Hasbro games to retailers, leveraging own branded products to achieve improved profit margin.Responsible for managing £4m turnover for a variety of customers including, Grocers, High St retailers, discounters and online sellers across the UK & Eire.Building and implementing JBP's and retail activation campaigns and negotiating costs and promo/marketing funds.Increasing distribution ensuring long term profitable growth by securing products in main range and exploring opportunities for additional lines in either out of aisle space or promotional/last minute gap fills. Ensuring all accounts are up to date with NPD’s and marketing strategies.Accurate forecasting and utilising EPOS.Managing a team of independent sales agents across the UK & Ireland.Twice promoted since my appointment and awarded Deal of the Year in 2019 & 3 x winner of Deal of the month during 2020

London, United Kingdom

An introduction into the Toy industry for me, managing the LeapFrog brand through the transitional period of the integration with Vtech Holdings Ltd. Managing Amazon, Smyth's Toys, Tesco, Asda and Shop Direct. Joining in the October meant I was thrown in to the deep end with previews for AW17 to secure range listings along with implementing promotional strategies for the following season.Managing budgets, Mark down funds and marketing pot to ensure every opportunity is maximised within each account. Working closely with a marketing team to align promotions and ensure brand exposure in accounts through social, CRM and media. Epos analysis and inventory management.The business was sold to Vtech shortly after my appointment leaving me unexpectedly redundant.

Uk & Ireland

Working as part of a team for the UK's biggest mass market Children's publishers, Part of the Bonnier Group, Igloo Books have a real runaway success story, boasting double digit growth in the past ten years. I manage two of the major grocers in the UK (Tesco & Sainsbury's) along with two key accounts in Ireland (Smyths Toys & Easons). Selling Children’s and adult books along with stationery. Cementing long term sustainable partnerships with these accounts along with driving new business within the non-traditional book retail market. Planning, forecasting and presenting ranges, tailored to the store, whilst analysing EPOS data to identify any issues and opportunities resulting in successful sell through and repeat business in line with implemented JBP's. With full P&L accountability.

As the National Account Manager for the UK’s market leader in Annuals and Yearbooks I managed a portfolio of grocers such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons and Asda, along with key accounts such as Amazon, Toys R Us, Smyths Toys, Hamley’s, as well as the discount high st chains, like B&M Retail, Poundland, TK Maxx along with several Books wholesalers and retailers. Covering the UK and Ireland. Building strong relationships that result in sustainable, long term business partnerships.Forecasting, presenting and implementing joint business plans that incorporate various retros and growth incentives, whilst implementing effective point of sale to ensure my product has prime location, promoted, with competitive price message. Analysing EPOS data I run and track the sales and distribution to identity any issues or concerns across the estate.

South Wales & The West

Managing a team of twelve sales representatives. accountable for three depots across S.Wales, the West Country and part of the M4 Corridor. As an ASM for the UK's largest direct to store van sales operation my responsibilities were to Drive distribution and build brands, supplying crisps, snacks, biscuits and cake such as Walkers, KP, Mcvities, Tayto, and Kellogs to the independent retailer. Directing, Training, Motivating and Controlling a team to become category experts within the FMCG Impulse and convenience arena. Developing individuals to build quick relationships, overcome objections and secure ongoing business during tough economic times. Achieving sales In excess of £230k in 2012 a growth of 4% vs 2011.Managing key accounts to the value of £380k 2011 - £535k 2012.Leadership and coaching are a vital part of this role, through effective performance management. From the recruitment, training, sales, stock, cash reconciliation, fleet, setting targets and managing customers. Since my appointment in 2008 I consistently achieved growth and achieved targets set before me. Creating and maximizing opportunities for growth in declining, tough trading conditions.

S Wales And The West

Covering S.Wales, Bristol, M4 corridor, N. Devon & Plymouth. Working along side the Area Sales Manager, supporting with training and motivation of the team. My ability to build a quick rapport with customers was vital to the success of this role. Additionally I managed the team in the Area Sales Managers absence. It was this role that I blossomed and developed as an individual. Exposed to larger customers with the ability to purchase by the pallet, rather than the box. I thrived in this arena and quickly grew the customer file, one of which is the 27th largest chain of independent retailers in the UK. This account, along with many others trade and continue to grow YOY under my close account management.

South Wales

Selling snacks to independent retailers, pubs, garage forecourts and catering outlets. This role required excellent organisation, stock management, cash control and above all selling skills. I was nationally recognised as a top performing Van Sales Rep. I won many company incentives including holiday's to Venice, Tenerife, a cruise, £1,000's of pounds worth of vouchers and regularly achieved period target. Territories covered initially were Newport, and the Welsh valleys. Having made a success on these areas I was asked by the Regional Manager to take on a poor performing van covering Swansea This is where I really made my mark. I built strong customer relationships and very quickly established this van as a top performer. At this time I became one of only six vans (out of 150) to achieve over £21k in a three week period. As a result of my success I was offered the additional responsibility of Area Sales Trainer.

Cold calling on independent catering outlets, selling commercial catering equipment covering South Wales. Left six months later as an opportunity to progress my career with Palmer & Harvey.

Dorset

Covering the whole of Wales selling hand made preserves, chutney's and chocolates to the tourist industry. Managing an existing portfolio of customers whilst creating new accounts. I left this role due to the amount of staying away from home that was involved after getting married in June 2000.