Carol Freeman

Experience

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  MEM Retail Marketing Services

  May 2001 - Jan 2005

  Area Manager

  Management of 5 Team Leaders & 200+ Instore Merchandisers visiting leading retail storesMain duties:Merchandiser Recruitment, Selection & TrainingSuccession PlanningDisciplinary ProcessStore/Staff AuditsInstore Merchandising & PromotionsStock ControlBudget ControlPayroll AnalysisKPIsStore Re-fits & InstallationsHealth & Safety Compliance

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  WHSmith Instore

  Feb 2005 - Mar 2008

  Area Manager

  Management of all Merchandisers visiting all London Underground stations, mainline stations and stores in North London Area.Main duties:Recruitment & SelectionPeople Training, Coaching & DevelopmentLeadership DevelopmentTUPE Transfer Employee RelationsDisciplinary ProcessStore/Staff AuditsRe-fits & InstallationsMerchandisingStock controlPromotionsSalesPayroll AnalysisKPIs

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  Pace Petroleum

  Apr 2008 - Oct 2008

  Area Manager

  Planned, organised and reviewed the programme of works to deliver key milestones.Liaised with all involved to ensure retail layout plans matched store space. Reviewed and planned implementation of store merchandising plans.Identified issues with store ranges and resolved.Established correct working process for sub contractors.Completed daily review/audit of completion against agreed timescales.Minimised customer and colleague disruption throughout the re-fit programme.Provided daily communication sessions to control quality and standards.Engaged and energised store team to achieve re-fit targets.Reviewed financial reports to identify any disruption caused during re-fit activities Responsible for all shop developments.Main functions:CAD drawingsStore Re-fits & InstallationsStore AcquisitionsInstore MerchandisingInventory ManagementBudget ContolFinancial Analysis Show less

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  Lloyds Pharmacy

  May 2009 - Dec 2010

  Operational Support Manager

  Accountable for delivering company strategy and achieving targets ensuring maximum profitability for the business.Ensured clinical governance was adhered to at all times, taking the area's performance from well below company expectations to above company average.Identified competitor activity that may impact on the areas profitability.Actively sought local opportunity for change to enhance and improve individual pharmacies profitability and business performance.Assessed and recruited the best Pharmacists & colleagues to fill vacancies, improving the area from an historic problematic high staff turnover to one of colleague consistency.Communicated clear and consistent expectations.Demonstrated commitment to company values and culture.Provided a culture of continuous learning and development reducing staff turnover.Responsible for successful operation of 36 pharmacies in South East England.Main functions: Recruitment & Selection Training & DevelopmentPerformance ManagementDisciplinary ProcessEmployee RelationsChange ManagementTUPE TransferHealth & Safety ComplianceCD Compliance & DestructionOperational StandardsFinancial AnalysisBudget controlKPIs Show less

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  Ladbrokes eGaming

  Jan 2011 - Aug 2011

  District Manager

  Delivered operational excellence throughout group of 19 shops.Guaranteed first class customer service experience, measured by achieving 80+% excellent ratings every quarterly mystery shopper period. Ensured compliance with legislation, safe working practices and security of team by regularly delivering before due deadlines.Managed the development, performance and motivation of shop managers, measured by the appointment of 3 shop managers to area managment level. Implemented disciplinary and grievance procedures as required.Embeded a culture of continuous improvement across the area's group of shops. Developed business performance and provided business direction to shop teams. Tracked and reviewed profit margin and turnover, creating plans to resolve under performance.Monitored and reviewed staffing costs to ensure budgetary control, ensuring the area was one of the most cost efficient in the district.Responsible for successful operation of 19 licensed premises in South East England.Main functions:Recruitment & SelectionPeople Development & TrainingSuccession PlanningPerformance ManagementEmployee RelationsDisciplinary ProcessOperational StandardsBusiness DevelopmentLicence/Legal ComplianceStore Targets & ObjectivesDirect ReportsPayroll AnalysisKPIs Show less

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  Clinton Cards

  Sept 2011 - Jun 2012

  Area Manager

  Managed an area of 15 stores with an annual turnover of £13.2 million.Built and developed the area from 24th to 5th highest ranking turnover performance out of 37 areas.Coached and developed the area ranking from 29th to 4th out of 37 areas for ''Upselling/Add ons''.Developed Store Managers people management skills with empowerment to treat their store as “their own business”.Recruited and coached new colleagues throughout their probationary periods.Ensured all stores delivered high standards of housekeeping, merchandising, planning and first class customer service .Achieved all company KPIs through people management.Responsible for successful operation of 15 Retail Stores in Essex.Main functions: Recruitment & Selection Colleague Development & Training Succession Planning Performance Management Disciplinary Process Operational Standards Merchandising Standards Stock Control Health & Safety Compliance Business Development Direct Reports SalesTargets, L4L Sales & SPH Budget Control Payroll Analysis Store/Colleague Audits Show less

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  Menkind

  Aug 2012 - Jan 2013

  Interim Area Manager

  Managed the successful opening, trading and closure of 15 Christmas trading stores.Recruited and trained complete store teams to a high standard with focus on customer service measured by shoppers loyalty and all stores trading profitably.3 stores trading permanently due to high turnover and profitability.Supported the Regional Manager with day to day running of business.Main functions:Recruitment & SelectionColleague Development & TrainingSuccession PlanningPerformance ManagementDisciplinary ProcessOperational StandardsMerchandising StandardsStock ControlHealth & Safety ComplianceBusiness DevelopmentDirect ReportsSalesTargets, L4L Sales & SPH Budget ControlStore/Colleague Audits Show less

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  Card Factory

  Nov 2013 - Nov 2015

  Area Manager

  Managed an area of 20+ stores with an annual turnover increased by £4 million to £18.4 million in 2 years.Consistently ranked in 1st place monthly for SPH.Coached and Developed the area from historical poor seasonal sales to making it into the top 3 every year.Raised store standards of Health and Safety, Merchandising and Customer Service to achieve Regional Managers award.Responsible for the successful operation of 20+ stores trading in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.Areas of responsibility :New Store OpeningsRecruitment & Selection Training & Development Succession Planning Performance Management Disciplinary ProcessStore/Staff AuditsMerchandising StandardsHealth & Safety Compliance Stock ControlStore Targets & ObjectivesBudget setting & managementDirect ReportsPayroll Analysis KPIsSales targets, L4L sales & SPH Show less

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  CARTE BLANCHE GREETINGS LIMITED

  May 2016 - Dec 2020

  Business Development Executive

  Responsible for 100+ Independent Accounts in Essex & North London.Consistently achieving Everyday monthly/quarterly/yearly targets.Over achieving against budgets on all Seasonal Targets every year.Results orientated, achieving in year bonuses for targeted sales on new product.Proactively grew my accounts year on year with weekly prospecting.Increased market share of space against competitors by keen negotiating skills & providing first class service at all times.Responsible for trading with Independent retailers in Essex & North London.Key skills:First class Negotiating & Persuasion skillsGreat communication & Interpersonal SkillsPassionate, Positive & Persistent individual A keen eye for detail, planning & merchandisingGreat product knowledge Business Intelligence and Market knowledge Show less

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  Nigel Quiney Publications

  Jan 2021 - now

  Area Manager

  Responsible for 150+ accounts in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire & Lincolnshire Mixture of Independent Accounts, Convenience Stores, Dedicated Card Shops, Gift Shops & Garden CentresConsistently achieving against targets month on month for both Everyday & Seasonal Card SalesTop achiever for new account openings of 39 in 2021 and 27 1st half year of 2022Largest increase in sales January-July 2021 V 2022 in Sales Force, £21k increaseKey skills:First class Persuasion & Negotiating skillsGreat Communicator and InfluencerPassionate & Persistent individual Great product knowledge A keen eye for planning, merchandising & detailUp to date market knowledge Show less