Jonathan GUIFFANT

Head of operations of 2 department stores: Tryano Abu Dhabi and Saks Fifth Avenue Bahrain. Directly reporting into the GM with 6 direct reports and 32 second level reports

Working closely with the Senior Retail team to translate the strategy and objectives into a clear deliverable department store plan that delivers the overall financial budget

In charge of managing staff requirements, developing and maintain SOPs, conducting inventory analysis through managing receiving teams and stock control. The role involves a strong focus on cost management through continuous analysis of how to allow the stores to better meet their goals

Key responsibilities include managing the needs of the fashion brands with the Senior Retail team while ensuring smooth execution of the commercial strategy within the Department Stores’ Environments

Building and maintaining strong Luxury standards, ensuring that the fashion house guidelines are met and that the total store environment is always set at the perfect luxury store

E-commerce: Developing the strategy and the translating it into day to day operations of the E-Commerce channel. Ensuring a seamless transition between customer experience in store and on line. Implemented same day delivery in AD and D+1 in Dubai. Tryano.com listed as number 5 e-commerce department store in the UAE

Manage the operations of the UAE Chalhoub Retail Division, representing 180 stores of major luxury brands of fashion (Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Kenzo, Celine, CH Carolina Herrera, Hackett, Paul Smith, Lacoste, Mulberry, Dsquarred2, Mark Jacobs, Zadig and Voltaire, Max Mara and more), beauty (L'Occitane, Molton Brown, Make Up For Ever, Wojooh/Faces) and gifts (Swarovski, Tumi, ST Dupont, Bell & Ross, Baccarat, Christofle, Lalique, Ladro, Daum, Tanagra and more). Reporting directly into the GM with 4 direct reports and 12 second level reports

In charge of creating, implementing, re-assessing and continually reviewing all operational processes (from confirmation order of goods with the suppliers to the customer transactions in store)

Improving the SOP (cash operations, risk, safety, HR, store processes, store openings, maintenance, logistics, IT, etc...) and re-implementation

Overseeing store operational audits, reporting the results and implementing the action plan for corrective measures
Assessing the amount of excess stock, finding solutions for liquidation of unsold stock

Head the operations department worldwide, reporting directly to the CEO
Create, write and implement the franchise operations manual (establishing and managing the outlet, managing the staff, legal requirements, field marketing guidelines).
Improve, write and implement all SOP (product, SSOP, etc...)
Creation and implementation of the Master franchisee manual (establishing the brand in new markets, establishing Central production units, sub-franchising, etc...)
Manage communicate with all operational teams from various master franchisees (Lebanon, Jordan, UAE, Oman, KSA, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, Egypt, UK, etc...) in the development of the brand on the market, training as well as general audit and quality control.
Budget sales worldwide and set targets for the various teams and follow up on the achievements.
Lead an international team of over 250 people
Overview the supply chain from the central kitchens (raw ingredients, packaging, small equipment, etc…)
Plan, schedule and manage the openings of new markets (UK, Egypt, Turkey, Kuweit, etc...)

Franchisee recruitment along side the CEO and MD (for final approval)
Management of lead generation and treatment. (over 10, 000 leads generated and dealt with)
Extensive use of social media to boost lead generation.
Advise on the creation on the new website (www.justfalafel .com)
Creation and implementation of sales system and processes with the creation of the data base and sales platform (Salesforce)
Recruitment of franchisees (interview, pitch, evaluation, follow up, close, etc…)-recruited over 50 franchisees (and master franchisees) across the GCC and Europe for a total of over 400 units sold since beginning of franchising operations.
Generated a growth of 400% in sales and operating locations.
Management of franchisee relationship (Over 50% of the franchisees bought multiple units).• Market analysis and determination of its potential (for all master franchise markets - Europe, ME and Asia). This determined the selling price of geographic areas with exclusivity.
Risk assessment for various locations, territories, countries and relationships. (same countries as above).
Master franchising approval, follow up and management (currently UK, KSA, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan & Mumbai)
Location evaluation and approval for new outlets (Most UAE franchised outlets).
Follow up on the opening process and assistance in building of the business plan and forecasts (all UAE franchised outlets)
Advice to franchisees on recruitment and operations processes (all UAE franchised outlets).
Sales and profit analysis at both corporate and franchise level.
Participating in the auditing process of franchised outlets (Mostly UAE outlets)
Sales forecasting, determination of marketing and operational requirements to achieve targets and execution of the strategy.
Establish and manage the link between operations, head office, stores and their franchisees.

Back office management, Bank accountancy, Bringing into balance the accounts by hunting the various mistakes made by the BO employees.

Customer management with construction enterprises (up to 32, 000K€ turnover) with high risk analysis (Up to 2, 000K€ loans), P&L account and balance sheet analysis
Customer treasury analysis and finding cash-flow solutions.

I have had the opportunity to manage a portfoilo of companies (up to 50, 000, 000€ turnover).
My work consisted in managing the relationship with my customers and negociating with them. I also had to study the risks and possibilities for loans and credits made to my clients (Biggest credit: 2, 100, 000€) but also concerning the relation with customers itself
I also had a prospecting (phonning and phisical) part in my missions and needed to develop my portfolio

J’ai eu l’opportunité de gérer en binôme, puis seul, le portefeuille clientèle professionnelle de l’agence d’Orthez (64), mes missions consistaient en la découverte clients et prospects, le montage de dossiers, de crédits et prêts, l’analyse du risque lié à un dossier ou à la relation en elle même, la prospection téléphonique et physique ainsi que la mise à jour des dossiers clients (informations légales en particulier).