General Manager Sales
Apparel Group LLC
Total years of experience :31 years, 2 Months
09.2016 - present General Manager GCC, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein,
LaVie enRose (lingerie), GC Ajman (Department store)
Apparel Group LLC, Dubai, UAE
KEY ACHIEVEMENT (overall business accountable: 100 mln EUR/ 70 stores):
• Maximized profitability by streamlining operations and reducing
unnecessary costs. (2017 - 2019 Net Profit Growth Rate for Tommy Hilfiger
+135%, Calvin Klein +405%) in an economical declining market
• Launched successfully Ecommerce site tommy.com
Reason for leaving: seeking personal and career growth
KEY ACHIEVEMENT (overall business accountable: 700k sq mt leasable retail
area)::
• Signed with key players in the market for retail, commercial and residential
• Launch event planning and execution for high-end Villas (starting price at
45 mln QAR per villa)
Reason for leaving: The visas of my 2 children for Qatar (being a single mum)
where not granted so I returned to UAE as my kids where based in Dubai.
KEY ACHIEVEMENT (overall business accountable: 100k sq mt leasable retail
area)::
• Signed 35 „Heads of Te rms“ within only 8 weeks
• Developed new legal documentation frame work for this business entity
(lease agreement, fit out manual, operations handbook) which allows an
improved and increased revenue
KEY ACHIEVEMENT (overall business accountable: 750 mln EUR / 75 stores):
• Managed company annual bdgt. 750 mln EUR with an EBITDA result of 23%
• Directed operations and long-term strategic planning of marketing divisio n
with full P&L responsibility.
Reason for leaving: I was recruited for this great opportunity to join d3.
KEY ACHIEVEMENT (overall business accountable: 250 mln EUR / 120 stores):
• Developed strategic plan of events with internationals appeal for individual
retail stores, for entire Village as well as for the group of villages (in total 9)
• Improved business revenue by 12% LFL
Reason for leaving: My father became very ill and I decided to move back to
Germany, Stuttgart to be closer to my family
KEY ACHIEVEMENT (overall business accountable: 6 mln EUR):
• Bought company out of insolvency, managed turnaround and reversed
negative sales trend by cutting product replacement cost by 50% and
increased on-time delivery from 80% to 95% and down to solving quality
issues rooted in manufacturing.
• Led management team in driv ing cost-reduction initiatives that resulted in
1, 3 mln EUR saved over 3 years.
• Engineered the growth of the company from 1, 6 mln EUR to 3, 5 mln EUR
annually in 3 years - a 218% increase
Reason for leaving: Due to the world-wide crises two of my main supplier had
to file for insolvency and I did not receive my pre-paid merchandise and had
to close the business too.
KEY ACHIEVEMENT (overall business accountable: 550 mln EUR):
• Led corporate team in driving cost-reduction initiatives that re sulted in 1, 5
mln EUR savings over 9 months through capital infusion and process
automation.
• Managed 5 mln EUR budget project in USA and achieved project
scheduled goals.
Reason for Leaving: ESCADA had to file for insolvency due to declining
business.
KEY ACHIEVEMENT:
• Development from zero the entire retail infrastructure including store
concept, expansion strategy globally, retail operations
• Strategic planning and opening the first 88 point of sales worldwide, as well
as developing the internal infrastructure, reporting system, operations
handbook and staff training program
KEY ACHIEVEMENT:
• Saved 2, 1 mln EUR annually by reducing fixed spending 10% and variable
overhead spending 3% through a variety of cost-improvement initiatives
through better utilization of resources.
• Analyzed sales trends to forecast pr oduct and store needs while working
within departmental budget allocations.
• Improve customer service level by 20% a cross all European stores
• Reduced employee turnover by 20% and significantly increased p roductivity
by introducing a performance management system.
Recruited to spearhead the retail division in a turn around strategy to bring the brand into the upper-market with aggressive plans to expand the retail division within the first year and managed a 225-person team with 5 managerial report
KEY ACHIEVEMENT:
Researched new store sites based on analysis of traffic flow, income, social and economic demographics, competition and real estate cost
Developed policies and procedures for the retail infrastructure
P&L responsibilities for retail division with 27 locations (24 full-price stores, 3 outlet stores)
Provide support for retail store managers and sales staff to help raise awareness of new products, company news, promotions or coupons
Responsible for merchandise selection and buying for all German boutiques
KEY ACHIEVEMENT:
Researched new store sites and open the first 5 stores in Germany for Cerrito 1881.
Develop complex sales plans and strategies related to marketing material and new store openings.
Recruit, interview and train new sales managers and retail store managers with oversight for the hiring of retail sales staff.
The key responsibilities are as following:
Reported to CEO and managed a 45-person team with 13 managerial reports
Responsible for opening 5 flagship stores in one year, which increased the business by a 51% sales increase
Responsible for all aspects of merchandising and buying for all European boutiques
Worked directly with the French design team in line building and product development
Developed and organized retail infrastructure for the brand
Recruited, trained and developed all members of the retail team from the sales level thru management
Assist with new store locations from initial site selection and budgeting to store stock levels, staffing requirements and grand opening events
Worked directly with Public Relations VP in advertising, catalogue and direct mailing selections
Provided transactional troubleshooting, problem solving and project management to resolve internal and external barriers to store performance.
I fulfilled my dream to have my own fashion boutique and was able to open with high fashion brands such as Versace, Moschino, Rocco Barocco, Fendi, ESCADA, Armani Jeans..
KEY ACHIEVEMENT:
Developed my own store concept, managed the funding and was fully in charge of P&L, buying, sales, visual merchandising, marketing, PR.
Grew business from start up and doubled sales by 100% in 2 years and by 200% in year 4.
- Assistant to Bank Manager and Customer Advisor, Stuttgart Aug 94-Dec 94
- Project Co-worker, Frankfurt am Main, with responsibility for project work (translation and software implementation) Aug 93-July 94
- Clerk, Munich: in charge of credit, leasing and deposits Aug 92-July 93
MBA in International Business and Administration
Dual working -school system to become a clerk in banking
Baccalaureate, Leonberg 1987-1990
Honored with Executive Certificate of Management