Sam Canning

Experience

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  Land & Wave

  Nov 2016 - Nov 2017

  Instructor/Project Manager

  Gained my first outdoor industry experience. Threw myself at every possible opportunity to develop myself as an instructor leading me to be the quickest team member to gain project managing duties. I project managed residential's ranging between 30-120 children, organising catering, transport, developing session plans and managing an instructor team with daily briefs. Worked with a broad scope of clients, from hen/stag do's, commercial events and NCS programs. Learned how to adapt sessions in difficult conditions and scenarios. Brought forward new sessions and development ideas to senior management. Helped marketing team with social media campaigns and presence. Although employed between April-November, I had been assisting higher level instructors from November 2016, shadowing sessions as much as possible to gain experience in group leadership and management while gaining qualifications. This was a highly adaptive role, while being a critical thinker I also had to be flexible in my management approach. Show less

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  Regatta Ltd

  Nov 2017 - Mar 2018

  Senior Sales Assistant/VM Assist

  Regattas first UK trial concession store. In this role I took responsibility for opening and closing the store, cashing up and delegation of jobs to colleagues. Worked heavily on customer service, dealing with inquiries and developing brand knowledge. Assisted the VM manager and took charge of stock control, dealing with both incoming and outgoing merchandise. This being my first clothing retail job I thoroughly enjoyed it as I could bring my experience from the outdoor industry to help and engage customers. Originally only to be a Christmas temp role but was extended. Show less

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  Kathmandu

  Apr 2018 - Nov 2018

  Category Supervisor

  This was a temporary job held while travelling in New Zealand. Kathmandu is a premium outdoor clothing brand. I had been given the responsibility of looking after the footwear and equipment sections in store, which involved designing new displays and following the VM brief sent weekly. Also helping my colleagues when finding the right products for customers when needed. This could range from finding the right pack for expeditions to how to correctly fit those packs. This store had a high standard for customer service as it was a flagship store in the capital. We had weekly targets for sales and customer conversion. New Zealand being the outdoor activities capital of the world meant that I gained a lot of new knowledge working here. The customer based varied heavily ranging from backpackers to company executives. This allowed me to understand how to tailor each customer experience in store as so to ensure they would return in the future. I also loved the company ethos and message they put out. Show less

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  Portwest Retail Ltd

  Jan 2019 - Sept 2021

  Multisite Manager & Retail Buyer

  Portwest is Irelands longest established outdoor apparel and work wear providers. In my role I oversaw the day to day running of two retail stores, one flagship and one clearance. Leading a team of 16 direct reports, we saw sustained YoY growth. Answerable for all store operations and sales. Running monthly and weekly KPI's, analysing these figures to forecast sales trends and areas of development. Project manager for a sustainability programme implemented into our 4 retail stores. Covid officer for the retail group, overseeing 45+ team members. Plannning and implementation of the refurbishment and refit of retail locations. Running social media campaigns, hosting virtual social events and pop up shops at local events. Assisting head buyer in planning OTB, resulting in department buying for 4 retail stores. Worked with in-house designers on developing new and existing product lines using experience as an outdoor professional. Show less

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  Bleubird Distribution

  Sept 2021 - now

  Business Development Executive

  Bleubird Distribution is proud to partner with industry leading brands and represent them in our local markets.Managing sales, operations and marketing. Partnered Brands:Jack Wolfksin (UK Independents & IRE)

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  Bleubird Co

  Sept 2021 - now

  Global Business Development Manager

  Irish born. No1. Irish Outdoor Lifestyle Brand.We design and manufacture outdoor apparel and equipment products that allow the everyday adventurer to become ‘At One With The Elements’. The Bleubird brand is now stocked into 250+ stores globally including some of the most iconic outdoor, specialty and fashion retailers across the EU/UK/NOAM.In my role I manage all new trade business for Bleubird in targeted markets and channels.

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  OXBOW

  Jan 2023 - Mar 2025

  Sales Agent UK & Ireland
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  JACK WOLFSKIN

  Jan 2023 - now

  Sales Agent Ireland & UK indies