Chris Ayres

Experience

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  Edmonds Batteries Ltd

  Jan 2006 - Apr 2015

  Operations Manager with Dual Role in Branch Ops and Sales | EdmondsDuring a pivotal period at Edmonds, I elevated from Branch Sales & Operations Manager to Operations Manager, a role that expanded my leadership across multiple facets of the business. In this capacity, I not only sustained my responsibilities in branch operations and sales but also spearheaded the overhaul of warehouse operations, refined purchasing processes, and took a hands-on approach in managing the company's P&L performance. Working closely with ownership, I drove initiatives that significantly improved operational efficiency, financial health, and overall business growth.Key Contributions:Integrated Operations Oversight: Maintained leadership over branch operations and sales while taking charge of revamping warehouse operations, ensuring a seamless integration of processes that bolstered operational efficiency and customer service excellence.Strategic Purchasing Management: Refined and managed purchasing strategies and operations, aligning inventory management with sales demands and operational needs, optimizing stock levels, and enhancing supplier relations and negotiations.Financial Leadership and P&L Management: Actively managed the company's P&L, implementing cost control measures, revenue enhancement strategies, and budget management practices that significantly improved financial performance.Collaboration with Ownership: Worked side by side with company ownership, providing strategic insights and operational leadership that guided the company through a phase of significant transformation and growth.Looking Forward:In my tenure as Operations Manager at Edmonds, I embraced the challenge of dual roles. My approach was characterized by strategic agility, operational excellence, and a keen focus on financial performance. Show less Dynamic Branch Sales & Operations Manager At Edmonds, I led the operations and sales strategies of the branches, where my role was central to developing and executing initiatives that enhanced customer satisfaction, increased profitability, and ensured operational efficiency across all locations.Key Achievements:Strategic Leadership & Culture Advocacy: Advocated for Edmonds' core values through integrity-driven leadership, fostering a high-performance culture. My leadership encompassed coaching, mentoring, and developing our team to ensure productivity and high morale.Sales Excellence & Business Development: Bolstered both wholesale and retail customer support, pursued new business opportunities, and launched new product lines. My strategic approach to sales management involved rolling out new products, engaging in promotional activities, and collaborating with the Sales Manager to drive growth and profitability.Operational Efficiency & Improvement: Through meticulous analysis, I identified trends and opportunities for growth, developing action plans that enhanced customer satisfaction, reduced costs, and streamlined operations. I served as the primary point of contact for Store Managers, coordinating efforts to ensure smooth branch operations.Purchasing & Inventory Management: Oversaw the development and maintenance of a comprehensive branch purchasing system, ensuring efficient inventory management and vendor relations to meet demand and optimize purchasing processes.HR Management: Spearheaded comprehensive HR management processes, encompassing the full spectrum of performance management, from defining role-specific KPIs and conducting regular performance reviews, to initiating improvement plans for underperformance. Led end-to-end recruitment cycles, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and culture fit, and executed disciplinary actions, including terminations, with a focus on dignity, compliance, and minimizing organizational risk. Show less Branch Operations and Sales Leader | Former Branch Manager at Edmonds Batteries Ltd.In my tenure as Branch Manager at Edmonds Batteries Ltd., I spearheaded the branch's retail and wholesale operations with a keen focus on sales excellence and operational efficiency. My role was pivotal in enhancing the branch's performance, aligning sales strategies with the company's core values and driving profitability.Key Responsibilities and Achievements:Sales Excellence: I led the branch's sales initiatives, employing the 'Edmonds Way' sales process to significantly boost sales performance. My efforts were centered on meeting and exceeding monthly sales targets through strategic sales activities and customer engagement.Operational Leadership: Managed all aspects of branch operations, from maintaining the shop’s condition and layout to ensuring the efficiency of shop supplies, tools, and vehicles. My hands-on approach ensured the branch operated smoothly and effectively.Policy Implementation and Compliance: Enforced and assisted in the development of company policies and procedures, ensuring the branch adhered to safety standards and regulatory compliance, including Work Safe BC requirements.Inventory and Financial Oversight: Conducted regular inventory assessments, responsible for managing variances and optimizing stock levels to meet sales demands. Ensured cash-out compliance and financial accuracy, directly contributing to the branch's fiscal health.Customer and Market Engagement: Actively participated in promotional activities, trade shows, and market research to keep the branch competitive and responsive to market trends. Show less

  • Operations Manager

    Oct 2011 - Apr 2015

  • Branch Sales and Operations Manager

    Sept 2010 - Oct 2014

  • Branch Manager

    Jan 2006 - Sept 2010
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  Edmonds Batteries

  Apr 2015 - now

  General Manager

  Strategic Business Leader | General Manager at Edmonds Batteries Ltd.Leading with vision at Edmonds Batteries Ltd., I serve as General Manager where strategic planning, financial acumen, and operational excellence converge. Championing the company's core values, my leadership is defined by a commitment to not only shape our culture and work environment but also to ensure fiscal health and strategic growth.Core Areas of Expertise:Strategic Financial Leadership: Conduct in-depth financial analysis and budget management, ensuring the companies profitability and financial stability. Excel in monitoring sales, managing costs, and approving expenditures, aligning financial strategy with our operational goals to foster sustainable growth.Comprehensive Strategic Planning: I identify business opportunities and collaborate with our team to craft and execute growth strategies, ensuring operational efficiency and business expansion.Strategic Oversight & Operational Efficiency: Provide strategic oversight to the SLT, guiding them in the management of daily operations to ensure alignment with our overarching strategic objectives. Sales and Marketing Strategy: Strategic oversight extends to approving pricing strategies and spearheading sales and marketing efforts. Collaborate with the Sales Manager to refine pricing models and marketing strategies, driving revenue growth and enhancing market presence.Human Capital Development: Deeply invested in nurturing a productive company culture, focusing on performance management, staff motivation, and the professional development of our team. This encompasses everything from hiring and onboarding to developing incentive programs that align with company goals.Risk Management & Compliance: I enforce security measures and regulatory compliance, overseeing financial compliance and risk management to safeguard the company’s assets and reputation. Show less

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  Edmonds Recyling

  Oct 2015 - Mar 2021

  General Manager

  Strategic Revitalization Leader | Edmonds RecyclingIn a pivotal move by the ownership, I was entrusted with the leadership of Edmonds Recycling alongside my role at Edmonds Batteries Ltd., with a mission to steer the company back to prosperity. Leveraging my strategic acumen and operational expertise, I embarked on a transformative journey to rejuvenate its operations, culture, and financial health.Key Achievements:Strategic Overhaul & Leadership: Implemented a comprehensive strategic review, identifying key operational inefficiencies and market opportunities to realign the company’s trajectory towards sustainable growth and profitability. Operational Turnaround: Directed a company-wide operational overhaul, enhancing process efficiencies, resource allocation, and waste reduction, significantly improving operational productivity and environmental impact. Financial Stabilization: Instituted rigorous financial management and control measures, stabilizing the company's finances through careful budgeting, cost control, and revenue optimization strategies. Cultural Transformation: Fostered a culture of innovation, accountability, and teamwork, empowering employees to contribute to the company's vision and success actively. Sustainable Business Practices: Championed the adoption of sustainable and environmentally friendly recycling practices, aligning the company with best industry standards and regulatory compliance. Show less

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  Ramcar Batteries Inc

  Oct 2023 - now

  Director of Integration

  About Me:With a rich background as a Director of Integration, I bring forth a proven record of driving seamless alignment across business units, enhancing operational efficiencies, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. My expertise lies in spearheading strategic initiatives that streamline operations, optimize team performance, and elevate organizational success.My Impact:Strategic Visionary: Skilled in leading change management, I play a pivotal role in the strategic steering committee, advocating for alignment with company objectives and nurturing a culture of growth and adaptation.Operational Excellence: Demonstrated success in integrating departments, business units, and verticals, achieving synergy and knowledge sharing, and optimizing the contributions of offshore teams to bolster the North American operations.Culture Champion: Committed to upholding core values, I've led initiatives promoting performance excellence, data-driven decision-making, and fostering supportive human connections.Process Innovator: Spearheaded digitization efforts, transforming legacy systems into efficient digital platforms, enhancing cross-functional collaboration and operational speed.Talent Developer: Adept in organizational development, including performance management and talent development, aligning staff with organizational goals and values for maximum engagement and productivity.Analytical Thinker: With excellent problem-solving skills, I've managed complex projects with shifting priorities, demonstrating a high degree of ownership and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing challenges. Show less