Visual Merchandising Manager
Victoria's Secret B&A (M.H. Alshaya)
Total years of experience :24 years, 2 Months
Visual Merchandising Manager - Key responsibilities:
• Responsible for the Southern Gulf Region (Qatar, Bahrain & Northern UAE)
• In-store Merchandising & consistent floor-set delivery in AOR stores
• Evaluation of AOR retail information, identifying risks & opportunities
• Preparing appropriate store specific strategies to promote sales
• Organizing Training Workshops for in-store VM team, coaching & assist in setting up seasonal floor-sets
• Review weekly stores photo-share & ensure standards are met
• Conduct regular store visits provide feedback to AVMM, Operation Team & Store Leaders
• Submit weekly VM Market Feedback
- I moved to Dubai in April 2013 with my husband, as he was
promoted to Regional Director for his company.
- During this time period I was in charge of located a flat for us and
setting it up.
- Once we found a flat, we had the movers deliver our personal
items and I was in charge of unpacking everything.
- On January 2014 I was made an offer by M.H. Alshaya to be their
Visual Merchandising Manager for Victoria's Secrets.
- It took three months to have my work visa sorted
Visual Merchandising Manager - Key responsibilities:
• Create and deliver all visual merchandising program
• Create In-store visual displays in support of company’s sales objectives and guidelines
• Conduct daily/weekly floor walk to maintain standards and brand identity
• Inventory management/Stock replenishment and Manage budgets
• Communicate and liaise with Floor Manager and Sales Team, in order to report & relay information effectively
Multi- Site Store/E-commerce Manager - Significant Highlights:
• Operation of two boutiques and Ecommerce with an annual turnover of GBP 2.5m
• Managing and developing a sales team of 5 to ensure KPIs are met (training & coaching)
• Controlling costs i.e. payroll/P&L
• Achieving or exceeding monthly targets for both boutiques and Ecommerce (Increased eCommerce sales in the first six months, by 6% to previous year, by responding to online emails under 24 hours and providing online customers with options)
• E-Commerce - Overseeing retail company online/web-site, ensuring sales are processed and shipped within 48 hours. Categorizing products/maintaining stock levels and reviewing online sales fraud attempts
• Visual Merchandise/Improved Stock-take from 0.2% to 0.1%/Managing stock-in & stock-out
• Managing Customer return/repairs and damaged stock (decreased customer complaints & repairs by 87.5% in the first 6 months)
• Ensuring company policies and procedures are upheld
• Weekly sales meeting/Generating, developing and Measuring CRM data
• Buyer - Monthly meeting with Rupert and Head of Retail
Store Supervisor - Key Responsibilities:
• Assisting General Manager/Assistant Manager
• Key Holder - Responsible for Opening/Closing procedures
• Leading & developing a Sales Team of 20 (training & coaching team)
• Meeting Sales Goals
• Utilizing the “7 steps of selling” to maximize sales performance
• Creating and maintaining Client List
• Performing follow-up calls to clients to introduce new collection
• Networking with boutique hotels and other specialty shops to introduce new clients and develop events
Seasonal Sales Professional (Temporary Position during the Holiday Period) - Responsible for:
• Upholding Merchandise Presentation Standards
• Achieving or exceeding individual sales target
• Attaining new customers and maintain existing client relationship
• Providing outstanding service with all customer interactions
• Assisting in the company’s annual physical inventory count
Business Manager - Significant Highlights:
• Project Management and establishing the Showroom from inception to opening
• Setting up the shop before Christmas 2007
• Developing retail price and managing warehouse operations
• Developing, implementing and overseeing all operational Policies & Procedures, including Health & Safety
• Training & development of Sales Team
• Negotiating Employment Contracts
• Development of Company product profile
• Managing relationships with corporate, regional and international offices
• Managing P.R. Agent, Advertising & Marketing/Event Planning
• Creating/Planning In-store Visual Merchandising/Window Display
Store Manager - Key Responsibilities:
• Managing a sales team of three and all Visual Merchandising including front window displays
• KPIs - petty cash, payroll and stock control/Setting individual sales goals for team
• Developing store events & incentives to expand customer base/sales
• Cultivating and maintaining customers’ profiles/purchase histories
Premium Sale Manager - Key Responsibilities:
• Managing existing business accounts for New York and New Jersey territories with an annual turnover of USD 5M, by utilizing effective call strategies, promotional planning and innovative merchandise techniques
• Researching and developing new accounts and maintenance of client files and reporting
• Coordinating in-store events
General Manager - Key Responsibilities:
• Managing a sales team of 14; negotiating service contracts and store maintenance
• Daily operation and establishment with an annual turnover of USD 4.5M
• Creating new lunch menus to include "Daily Specials" as well as updating wine and cigar menus
• Managing food/bar orders, invoices, monthly statements and inventory control
• Conducting bi-weekly staff sales meetings and monthly Health & Safety briefings
• Creating store and employee safety manual in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attack (store was located three blocks from World Trade Center). Shortly after the attack the store went out of business.
One C.P.S., Plaza Hotel New York, NY Nov 00 - Aug 2001
Evening Manager - Accountable for:
• Managing team of 21, with annual turnover of USD 20M
• Scheduling daily lunch and dinner floor plan
• Creating cigar description menu
• Conducting daily pre-shift meetings and maintaining communication between kitchen and floor staff to ensure superior guest service
• Coordinating private corporate parties and updating food menu/prices
• Assisting with weekly staff scheduling and updating of wine list/menu descriptions
Davidoff of Geneva, New York, NY - Flagship Jun 87 -Sep 2000
General Manager - Accountable for:
• Managing a sales team of 10 with an annual turnover of USD 6M, selling high-end luxury cigar and accoutrements
• Liaison Buyer for stores in Beverly Hills, Hawaii and Las Vegas
• Cultivating and maintaining hi-profile client relationships
• Compiling Annual Operating Budget Forecasts
• Setting up franchise stores in Hawaii and Las Vegas; developing market comparison and product knowledge with franchisees in Hong Kong and Taiwan as well as London and Geneva stores
• Compiling corporate franchise operations manual
• Participating in new hire selection, conducting training seminars and educating other managers in company policies and procedures, philosophy and image
• Touring tobacco fields in Dominican Republic and receiving agricultural/product training
• Project managing store relocation in April 2000: - Re-negotiated service/maintenance contracts with all vendors
- Coordinated merchandise relocation to ensure a seamless transition
- Acted as Company liaison to project manager and interior designer
Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY -1982 – 1984 - Major: Fashion Buying and Merchandising London South Bank University – 2005 - Course: Microsoft Word Introduction