ميلين Gonzaga

In Levante Trading, I was part of the start-up process with the Owners and General Manager. From recruiting the people, setting up the office, discussing and negotiating with the principals of the Terms & Conditions of Agency Agreement until 5 Italian Brands of Finishing Materials was finalized with Levante Trading as Exclusive Agent in GCC countries. FALPER BATHROOM, NEXTEP LEATHER SURFACES, VERDE PROFILO MOSS PANELS, TREND MOSAICS, PACHAMAMA LEATHER DECORS, along with other brands of sanitary fixtures, Mixers, decor items and Porcelain Tiles from Europe and Asia whom we are approved dealer in the UAE.

The coordination of design and construction of the showroom, with designer, contractor and principals in Jumeirah Road was also handled me, including ordering of materials from principals, coordinating with freight forwarders.

As Sales and Marketing Manager I handled 3 Project Sales Executives, 4 Showroom Sales Executives and 1 Interior Designer, Implementing the approved strategy of Sales & Marketing, budget planning, and product pricing. I perform product presentations with consultants, interior designers and contractors in support to sales team and overseas market.
I train the sales team on Sales approach, Product knowledge and technical features in support to successfully achieve sales goal and target market reach in the Emirates.

For other GCC countries, I handle the marketing, service to inquiries, offers to projects and other roles required from Levante as the exclusive agent. Performs market research through networking and different sources gathering Project Information and different contacts substantial in promoting our products.

I was in-charge for all communications with principals, pricing, marketing tools, orders, inquiries etc.

On February 5, 2014 I was promoted to Business Development Manager and added in my above job responsibilities the following:

Develop and implement quality management strategy and plans, including resource, systems, timescales, financials to support, to contribute to, and integrate within the organizations business plan and long term strategy.

I promoted and sold all products assigned to the division of Bathrooms and Tiles (Villeroy & Boch, Geberit, Dornbracht, Grohe, Geesa, Dusholux, Teka, Gardenia Orchidea, Versace, Piemme Ceramiche, Delconca Ceramiche, Leonardo Ceramiche, other brands of tiles) targeting high end residential villas and projects. Coordinate with suppliers from Europe regarding clients’ requirements. Perform other duties assigned to me like marketing jobs, product presentation, design consultation to clients, presenting 3d design using VISOFT design software.

I was as on-top of all the matters concerning the new showroom construction last March 2008, from the design coordination with Villeroy & Boch, the contractor and suppliers of all brands from Europe, ordering of all items needed and supervision of the construction and came-out with the best Villeroy & Boch showroom in the Middle East from 2008 to 2009 and best Lifestyle showroom in the Sultanate of Oman.

As the Showroom Manager, I handled seven (7) sales and support staffs, monitoring sales and activities, maintaining the showroom, reporting sales status and achievements to the management. Draft sales strategies to be presented to the management for approval and implementation. I was responsible for the whole team’s goal to achieve monthly target.

As Sales Manager for Project Division, I handled five (5) staffs, working on big projects such as Palaces, Townships, Hotels, Resorts, Airports, and other commercial/ residential developments and make sure our products will be supplied in the project, working from the design and specification stage with consultants, tendering stage with the contractor, presenting to the clients, up to closing the deals. I was responsible in developing sales strategies and marketing programs benefiting both Project and Retail division and ensuring sales target every month is met by each team member including my own individual monthly target. I attended factory visits, international exhibitions and trainings from time to time to always be updated with new products developments in cooperation with our different manufacturers in Europe.

I was fully responsible for Al Amana Contract Division which offers complete package to special projects, sourcing-out materials that are not in our product line.

In addition, I was also responsible for the marketing job function by working on all advertisements and promotions for the whole company, working with advertising agency for the graphic designs, dealing with different newspapers and magazines for the press releases and advertisement schedules and other advertisement activities to promote all the divisions of the company (Bathroom & Tiles, Building Chemicals, Ironmongery and General Building Materials). Helps develop the business by researching and contacting other possible suppliers for the new projects of Al Amana Home, (Modular kitchen, Furniture and Light Fixtures showroom)

I was responsible to promote, sell and achieve sales target for all HISC bathroom fixtures & fittings products (Villeroy & Boch, Geberit, Dornbracht, Hansa, Huppe, Keuco, Blanco). I attended job site meetings for all potential and existing clients, such as Villa owners, Architects & Interior designers, Contractors, Real estate developers. Proposed design concepts and layouts for our client's requirements using all our products and coordinated with the client's architects and interior designers.

Provided Before and After sales services to retail clients and corporate projects, architects' and interior designers' projects and coordinate for them all the details and information required concerning our product range.

Assisted walk - in clients to showroom and give them design assistance and suggestive layouts if necessary. Maintain showroom display in accordance to the trends and lifestyles the products promote.

Responsible for proper display and arrangement of furniture, assisting customers in interior design concepts and selling furniture/accessories in order to attain sales objectives. I conceptualize showroom arrangement and window display. For customers who needs design assistance, I provide them concepts, space plan and color schemes. As duly approved, I also conduct ocular visits of

customers’ home/office and prepare interior design plans and drawings based on the visit conducted. I also prepare design of made to order items and forward same to the quality control and service section for evaluation/approval and merchandising department for costing. I also perform other function that maybe assigned from time to time.