Dionysios Tsoukalas

Head of operations for the entire United Arab Emirates, 3 Stores opened with 2 more planned for the near future. Involved from concept stages to supervising the pre-opening stage and managing day to day operation of the venue(s). Creation of new storefront specializing in Family entertainment activities. Manage multiple projects including installation of custom equipment and furniture, building/contractor work, purchasing, and staff administration from pre-construction to opening in November 2019 in both the Nakheel Mall & the Dubai Mall as well as preparation for future venues.
• Creation and implementation of Staff Training procedures & materials for multiple disciplines:
FOH, POS, Facilities Management, Health & Safety, Customer Interaction and assistance &F&B.
• Staff training sessions & refresher courses.
• SOP creation and Implementation
• Responsible for the guest journey as well as maintaining the best guest experience services
• Enable success of custom installations and new store opening
• Onboarding of new clients/schools
• Creating and maintaining customer relations and directory
• Design and implementation of inventory system and price point database
• Marketing & Public Relations
• Supervising and staff management (38 staff members directly reporting to me)
• Management of e-commerce platform and all online portals
• Creation of events calendar & marketing plan as well as pre-planning with the party coordinator
• Purchasing responsibilities and sourcing of new products and suppliers
• To ensure Sales achieve certain percentages within the calculated margin and to keep current with
current market trends.
• Liaising with Mall Management for all procedural needs as well as any permit acquisition(s).
• Daily opening and closing procedures
• Specialized in H&S, Risk Management and internal auditing. - IOSH.
• Taking business trips to Kuwait in order to meet with the Head Office for updates & reporting.

As the Business Developer for Jazeel Distribution, I was not only responsible for building the company brand itself (via several marketing methods) but also supporting several licensed brands as official distribution agent (Kikkerland, Tsume, TokiDoki), overseeing multiple key client accounts, as well as creating and maintaining relationships with several suppliers from China, Luxemburg and the United States of America. In conjunction with the distribution department, I was also responsible for the retail department (4 “the Little Things” stores in the UAE). In this position, I have developed strong supervising and staff training skills, PR, merchandising, marketing, setup of outside events, stock liquidation plans, Distribution templates and B2B/B2C plans. These duties require meticulous planning and organizational skills, and an ability to convey complex ideas clearly.

Key Responsibilities included:
• Identify customer needs and exceed expectations for service in regards to enquiries, sales, features and benefits of the company.
• Optimize product knowledge to maximize customer support and selling opportunities to capture data in order to expand the company database.
• Key Account Management for both Distribution & Retail Departments.
• Successfully build and manage strong relationships with over 10 international suppliers.
• Development of commercial strategies to achieve the set targets
• Contract Negotiation with retail partners and suppliers: On-boarding of new clients as well as consulting with various representatives from varied suppliers in the pop culture and merchandising field
• Initiate strategic business development plans and B2B sales strategies for the Middle East, Gulf Region, Africa & Russia.
• Marketing / Event Management (Expo area for Middle East Film & Comic Convention, Guest artist appearance(s).)
• Identify market trends, gaps and niches.
• Leverage my industry-specific knowledge to develop strategic business development plans and B2B sales strategies.
• Develop incentive and marketing programs for customers.
• Conduct client presentations.
• Supervising wholesale, distribution and Product Acquisition functions of toys and collectable business of the Group.
• Development of commercial strategies to achieve the set targets.
• Purchasing responsibilities and sourcing of new products and suppliers (Tsume, TokiDoki, Kikkerland, etc.)
• To ensure Sales achieve certain percentages within the calculated margin and to keep current with current market trends.
• Supervise and coordinate exports and imports and source vendors
• Supervising and roll-out of newly implemented tours and help to develop new content.
• Adjusting and working within margins with sale items

Supervisor for planning and creation of new storefront specializing in vintage and hard-to-find comics and collectibles. Managed multiple projects including installation of custom equipment and
furniture, purchasing, and staff administration from pre- construction to opening in January 2019 and preparation for the Grand opening in April 2019.

- Zaki Distribution

Part of the management team responsible for the day to day running of the flagship Magic Planet Family Entertainment Facility, based in one of the busiest malls in the UAE. We provide direction, instructions and guidance to a group of highly talented individuals, for the purpose of achieving certain goals set. As one of the Team leaders, I serve various roles in the FEC organization.

• Supervision of Staff: Floor staff, technicians, security, cleaners. (35 - 50 direct reports)
• Drive Business Unit initiatives and projects to enhance the Guest Experience
• Customer Interaction and assistance as well as handling guest complaints.
• Consulting with various representatives from various suppliers
• Risk Assessment (IOSH certified)
• Staff Training (SOP, Health & Safety, child safeguarding, service and up-selling) with focus on the team’s efficiency and development with a special emphasis on guest service excellence.
• Net Prometer Score (NPS) Training and call-back recovery service.
• Staff Roster & Scheduling.
• Briefing and reporting duties
• Marketing
• Incident reporting & Investigating
• Stock take and deliveries / Stock control
• Daily maintenance checklist
• “Moments” - Guest Centric Culture Changing Programme Facilitator
• Child Care /Safeguarding Training
• Daily opening and closing procedures, including the redemption store and operations area.
• Specialized in H&S, Risk Management and internal auditing. - IOSH.
• Guarantee safety of all the visitors through the generation & implimentation of service and control policies.

As Senior accounts manager of Comicave Distribution, I have developed strong supervising and staff training skills, PR, merchandising, marketing, Setting up outside events, stock liquidation plans, Distribution templates and B2B/B2C plans. These duties require meticulous planning and organizational skills, and an ability to convey complex ideas clearly.
Key Responsibilities included:
• Maintain strong relationships with key contacts in existing accounts and develop new accounts.
• Staff Training & Management (10 - 15 people were under my management)
• Identify market trends, gaps and niches.
• Procurement & Logistics
• Leverage my industry-specific knowledge to develop strategic business development plans and B2B sales strategies.
• Develop incentive and marketing programs for customers.
• Conduct client presentations.
• Supervising wholesale, distribution and Product Acquisition functions of toys and collectible business of the Group.
• Development of commercial strategies to achieve the set targets.
• Customer Interaction and assistance
• Contract Negotiation with retail partners and suppliers: On-boarding of new clients as well as consulting with various representatives from varied suppliers in the pop culture and merchandising field
• Successfully build and manage strong relationships with over 20 suppliers in multiple countries.
• Supervise and coordinate exports and imports and source vendors
• Adjusting and working within margins with sale items.

As general manager, I was actively in charge of almost all of the departments with regards to daily operations of the venue.
I developed operational, marketing, and business plans in conjunction with owner and other shareholders. Estimated supply needs, oversaw the placement of orders. Managed the budget, administered payroll, and made sure operations remained within budget
• Customer interaction and assistance
• Stock Take (weekly and monthly) and receving of stock
• Daily Cash Up and banking
• Marketing & PR
• Staff management & training (18 - 25 direct reports)
• Event organizer & management as well as Outside catering
• Oversee consumable inventory for day-to-day operation and the entire procurement process.
• Consulting with various representatives from various liquor companies
• Detailed knowledge of liquor license laws (was active member of municipal liquor board council).