Christopher Salib

Experience

• 

  Lagardere Travel Retail Pacific

  Oct 2008 - Apr 2018

  • Sales Data Analysis & Reporting: Generated comprehensive reports and presentations for stores, suppliers, and senior management, identifying growth opportunities that boosted profitability.• Supplier Collaboration & Relationship Management: Maintained regular communication with suppliers and cultivated strong relationships with Category Team Leaders and Store Managers, fostering operational efficiency and teamwork.• Store Support & Merchandising Optimisation: Conducted store visits to ensure adherence to brand standards and provided hands-on support to empower teams, while creating detailed reports to optimize layouts and product visibility.• Promotional Coordination & Feedback Integration: Coordinated promotional materials and calendars for consistent execution, while collecting range review data to enhance product assortment strategies and ensure accurate pricing. Show less • Increased Revenue: Strategically recommended the inclusion of “The Barefoot Investor” in the “Airport Millionaire” national promotion, which not only led to 8 consecutive weeks as the top-selling title during the campaign but also sustained strong sales beyond the promotional period. Enhanced visibility by securing front-of-store product placement for 60 units across the top 65 travel essential stores nationwide, driving increased customer engagement and boosting overall revenue.• Optimised Inventory Management: Specialised in monitoring stock levels for “The Barefoot Investor” and “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F…”, ensuring optimal stock cover across airport clusters to drive high sales rates while preventing overstock and aligning with publisher printing schedules.• Revamped Store Layouts: Created effective planograms and conducted range reviews for all rail and wharf Newslink stores, replacing existing award-winning titles with a curated selection of the top 50 bestsellers to enhance sales performance.• Secured Promotional Funding: Negotiated and secured NRI funds (Non-Retail Income) from major publishers (e.g., PRH, Hachette, Harper Collins, A&U, Hardie Grant or Pan Macmillan), maintained monthly promotional strategies such as light wall displays, monthly offers like ‘Cover2Cover’ and ‘Hot Price’ and shelf talkers to align with the yearly promotional calendar.• Streamlined Replenishment Processes: Established a centralised ordering and replenishment plan, leading to efficient store fulfillment and driving sales growth in the book category.• Forecasted Sales Trends: Analysed and forecasted sales for key best-selling titles, providing optimal inventory levels and ensuring high product availability to meet customer demand.• Maintained Data Integrity: Assisted in managing the integrity of the company’s SKU master data and cost book.• Enhanced Retail Sales: Managed the buying and stock of the Lonely Planet and Steve Parish portfolios.• Executed EDI Orders Show less • Optimised Stock Management: Streamlined the receiving and transferring processes of stock between warehouse and four retail locations, enhancing inventory accuracy and reducing discrepancies• Boosted Replenishment Efficiency: Managed the replenishment of diverse product categories (HBA, Stationery, Travel, Toys, Tech, Gifts & Souvenirs), ensuring timely availability and increasing sales opportunities.• Enhanced Sales Performance: Collaborated with both Category Managers for ‘Technology’ and ‘Toys & Travel’ to achieve record sales across four stores over three years, significantly contributing to overall revenue growth.• Introduced New Product Lines: Spearheaded the launch of high-demand products, including new Lego releases and premium travel brands, aligning inventory with market trends to maximize customer interest and sales.• Executed Strategic Discontinuation: Analysed underperforming stock and organized the phased removal of low-selling items, freeing up resources for more profitable inventory.• Strengthened Supplier Relationships: Fostered open communication with major suppliers and regional account managers to resolve stock discrepancies and introduce high-performing product lines, driving overall sales improvement.• Innovated Merchandising Strategies: Developed cross-visual merchandising displays, promoting monthly category promotions that engaged customers and increased foot traffic, ultimately contributing to enhanced brand loyalty. Show less • Over two-year sales experience with both books and multimedia products such as CD’s and DVD’s• Manage and close registers up to the sum of $6k• Restock new releases/current titles, accept deliveries from music and movie companies within Australia (up to the value of $4k) also the transfer confectionary, headphones and stationary from our warehouse• By using effective communication and interpersonal skills, I provide exceptional customer service by giving information on store books, CDs, DVDs and magazines.• Inform customers of new release titles and dates Show less

  • Assistant Category Manager - Gifts, Souvenirs & Apparel

    Oct 2017 - Apr 2018

  • Merchandise Planner - Books

    May 2016 - Oct 2017

  • Gift's & Souvenir's Category Team Leader

    Aug 2013 - May 2016

  • Books Team leader [Watermark Books]

    Jan 2012 - Aug 2013

  • Books Team Leader - Virgin Music (Books & Entertainment)

    Nov 2009 - Jan 2012

  • Team Leader - Relay [Central Station]

    Oct 2008 - Nov 2009
• 

  Kikki.K

  Aug 2014 - Feb 2015

  Casual Team Member

  Weekend Casual Retail Shop Assistant

• 

  Dymocks Books

  Dec 2018 - Oct 2019

  Store Buyer (Dymocks Sydney – George Street)

  Category Expansion and Revenue Growth: • Expanded the Travel Category in Dymocks Flagship Store by conducting a comprehensive range review across eight travel brands, successfully filling gaps in the existing offerings. This initiative enhanced customer choice and resulted in an additional 15% to 20% profit margin.• Targeted older demographics by curating a diverse selection that included Rough Guides, Frommer’s, and other travel literature, thereby broadening the store’s appeal to various travel needs and preferences. Other brands including DK, Footprint, Insight Guides & Rick Steves.Sales Optimisation and Strategy Implementation• Doubled and tripled monthly sales of Universal Sony DVDs by strategically expanding the product range while maintaining competitive pricing. This approach ensured that existing profit margins were preserved while driving significant revenue growth.• Collaborated with the marketing team to develop in-house point-of-sale (POS) materials, including eye-catching shelf talkers for DVD titles paired with corresponding book they were adapted from. This initiative capitalised on upselling opportunities and effectively increased customer engagement.Cross-Merchandising and Process Streamlining• Streamlined the cross-merchandising process by integrating DVDs with related literature, thereby creating a cohesive shopping experience that boosted both customer satisfaction and sales performance.• Updated wall bay headers to reflect new subject categories, enhancing visual merchandising and making it easier for customers to navigate and discover products. Show less

• 

  Leading Edge Computers

  Nov 2019 - Dec 2021

  • Collating group buy of 1200 units and a further 300 additional units of WD power banks across 4 categories in technology, valued at $120K• Secured Top Teir Dimond package for supplier attendance at National Tech Conference ‘Dynamic Supplies’ during our first ‘Virtual Members Conference’ during pandemic.• Project Lead of ‘Tech Finder’ at Leading Edge, procuring computer/electronic technology-based products across 200 + suppliers to members in the Jewelry, Entertainment & Books Categories for their business needs. Collaborating with finance team to generate correct pricing and invoicing protocols. Project increased the gross margin % up to 25% that couldn’t be achieved on standard 2% admin fee. o Extending secured savings on Apple Air pods for office staff 30+ units, both providing cost savings to internal staff and giving the business better margin on sales. o Sourcing demo model of Cricut through Distributor SYNNEX for staff purchase o Sourcing items for brand new Book Store opening, based on min spec requirements, for PC/Laptop, register draws and receipt printers, in house MFC printers, barcode scanners, tabletop scales for shipping etc.• Both B2B and B2C experience. Show less • Collating group buy of 1200 units and a further 300 additional units of WD power banks across 4 categories in technology, valued at $120K• Secured Top Teir Dimond package for supplier attendance at National Tech Conference ‘Dynamic Supplies’ during our first ‘Virtual Members Conference’ during pandemic.• Project Lead of ‘Tech Finder’ at Leading Edge, procuring computer/electronic technology-based products across 200 + suppliers to members in the Jewelry, Entertainment & Books Categories for their business needs. Collaborating with finance team to generate correct pricing and invoicing protocols. Project increased the gross margin % up to 25% that couldn’t be achieved on standard 2% admin fee. o Extending secured savings on Apple Air pods for office staff 30+ units, both providing cost savings to internal staff and giving the business better margin on sales. o Sourcing demo model of Cricut through Distributor SYNNEX for staff purchase o Sourcing items for brand new Book Store opening, based on min spec requirements, for PC/Laptop, register draws and receipt printers, in house MFC printers, barcode scanners, tabletop scales for shipping etc.• Both B2B and B2C experience. Show less

  • Category Assistant Computers

    Nov 2019 - Dec 2021

  • Category Assistant Computer’s & Smart Choice Tech Repair (SCTR)

    Nov 2019 - Jun 2020
• 

  TVSN

  Dec 2021 - Apr 2022

  Category Manager - Electronics, Cleaning, Gardening & DIY

  Hand selected by Chief Executive Officer to manage Electronic, Cleaning, Gardening & DIY Categories in the merchandise department. Daily, weekly and monthly collaborating with suppliers, producers, presenters, guests, marketing, finance, logistics, quality assurance and warehouse teams. Reported to the Merchandise Manager and directed Merchandise Assistant. • Returned of $160K of obsolescent stock from one single brand within the first 3 months at TVSN• Sellout of over 800 units of Clearance Special TSO (Todays Special Offer) of the Mastro Air Purifier with sales on the day more than $180KRole Responsibilities• Supporting the Head of Category Manager with the monthly Catalogue Planning process, Supplier submission, mapping out catalogue layout. Developing the Marketing Catalogue Brief both online on web2print and Mudmaps, working with suppliers to obtain accurate specifications, closely working with the Marketing and studio team to ensure the correct product information, image, pricing is translated to the final catalogue before print deadlines.• Achieving sales budget through effective category planning. Application/analysis of $/minute & hour to maximize sales and stock. Maximizing each Live Show according to each PAL formation to all key selling factors • Ensuring that through negotiation and planning on product range is going to achieve budgeted GP$ & GP%.• Yearly plan on Category Strategy signed off and approved across all 4 Categories. • Ensure Shows/brands are bought on time• Sourcing and Introduction of New Brands never featured on TVSN, in line with the TVSN Strategy and as per each categories OTB• Maximizing sales and exposure of each category through internal & external exposure where applicable. Collaborating with Merchandise Manager & Marketing Department• Creating a clear web strategy to be planned and implemented with the Merchandise Manager Show less

• 

  Digital Camera Warehouse

  Sept 2022 - Nov 2023

  Category Manager

  Managed complete buying/purchasing process by leading the purchasing team. Daily collaborating with our internal Graphic Designer, external Marketing/Social Media Content Creator & store/warehouse staff. Directed both Junior Assistant Buyer and Buyers Assistant. • Increased sales by creating and negotiating with Key Account Managers on exclusive brand promotions at DCW by running 3–5-day flash sales to 1-3 weeklong exclusive brand blocks requesting scan support, bonus offers per SKU, bonus warranty, GWP, winning your purchase price back, competition prizes etc. o Increased December monthly sales for Fujifilm by 227% through dynamic and specialised customer offer during exclusive brand block o Increased monthly sales for Nikon with brand exclusive sale by 184% • Secured NRI funds from major digital camera suppliers (Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji Film, Panasonic, OM Systems), across onsite Billboard, Window Skins, Website Leaderboard, Web Banners, Internal EDM creations on a monthly, quarterly, or promotional basis in line with yearly promotional calendar o Total annual nonretail income through marketing support more than $200K• Collaborated with supplier Key Account Managers, internal staff, and store management to host in-store events featuring gourmet food trucks and beverages for customers. o Partnered with a Sony Product Trainer to arrange a portrait session showcasing Sony's digital cameras & lenses, and Godox lighting from Kayell. Offered exclusive one-night promotions on Sony and Godox products.• Organised a two-week event featuring specialised product trainers from Sony, Canon, Nikon, and Fujifilm in-store for three hours each. This initiative allowed customers to “Touch & Feel” the latest digital cameras and lenses, driving foot traffic and promoting exclusive in-store offers. Show less

• 

  Vanguard Category Consultancy

  Nov 2023 - now

  Category Management Consultant

  Providing specialist category management consulting services for Australian retailers and suppliers in Travel Retail, Bricks & Mortar, Omni-channel & FMCG sectors. Leveraging 15+ years of expertise to deliver data-driven strategies that optimise product categories, strengthen supplier relationships, and enhance profitability.Founder & Category Management Consultant Helping retailers and suppliers streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve category performance through actionable insights and effective vendor negotiations. Initial projects include pro bono work and small engagements.• Category Analytics & Market Insights: Analysing category performance, identifying market gaps, and recommending best product assortments.• Vendor/Retailer Management & Strategic Sourcing: Coaching on supplier and retailer relationship building, developing negotiation strategies and souring tactics.• Promotional Planning & Execution: Designing and executing promotions tailored to industry and category, specialising in negotiating NRI (Non-Retail Income) deals. Establishing innovative promotional activities and thinking outside of the box• Inventory Management & Assortment Optimisation: Creating curated product mixes, reducing stock wastage, and implementing efficient replenishment processes.• Price & Cost Analysis: In-depth pricing and cost analysis, determining the most competitive strategies for growth.• Merchandising Strategy & Execution: Enhancing product placement plans for optimal visibility and customer engagement in-store and online. Show less