Michael Somerville

Experience

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  Clicks

  Jan 1988 - Jan 1990

  Store Associate

  Floor assistant, stockroom clerk and cashier

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  South African Airforce

  Jan 1991 - Jan 1994

  Communications Coordinator

  Communication / Liason Assistant & ProJOB FUNCTIONS Liased between Oc and new students Research on morale of units Organized functions Exhibitions Distribution Admin Planning of Lectures

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  Midrand Reporter

  Feb 1994 - Apr 1995

  Sales Consultant

  Advertising sales and marketing & Basic Designs

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  Sports bar

  Jan 1995 - May 1997

  Manager

  StaffingSalesStock controlPlanningOrdering of stock from suppliersTrainingBankingAdvertising

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  Mr Price Apparel

  Jun 1997 - Oct 2000

  Store Manager

  My responsibilities include…

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  Truworths

  Nov 2000 - Jun 2004

  Store Manager

  East Rand MallTURN OVER PER ANNUM60 MillionSTAFF48 fte (full time employment)PREVIOUS POSITIONStore Manager HatfieldStore Manager NelspruitTRAINING Store Manager CertificatedPeople Management Skill certificatedIndustrial RelationsSeta Assessor Retail certificated

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  Mr Price Group

  Jun 2004 - Oct 2016

  People Management • To effectively recruit, induct, lead, manage, train and develop Area managers and Admin Managers • To monitor that store employees are effectively recruited, inducted, led, managed and developed across the regions • To monitor and ensuring that effective succession plans in placeDriving Innovation and Business Improvement• Implements and monitor strategic special projects• Investigate and compile business plan for new technology in stores• Conduct post mortems of store design and layout and make recommendations• Generates ideas for future retail activities that will increase sales and profits.• Influences and creates company strategy, business priorities and targets and ensuring effective and timeous communication of such into stores. Driving Sales• Interact with the buying teams on customer feedback of product in order to assist with the delivery of a compelling and balanced assortment. • Analyze and identify new store locations and current space suggestions• Review sales analysis report and identify trends and opportunity areas for improvement• Review store profiles in order to make recommendations on store profiling that will maximize sales • Conduct post mortem of new store openings and review and follow through of action plans, include cannibalization• Review and approve changes in space on a seasonal basisCustomer Experience• To grow a customer focused culture through the consistent delivery of exceptional customer service • Approve marketing strategy for new and current stores – inputs and logistics• To continually look for innovative ways to improve our customer experience and sales • Store layout with Visual MerchandisingFinancial Management• Participate in feasibility of new stores• Prepare expense budget and forecasts• Oversee controllable expenses in region Show less •KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Working closely with the National Operations manager, Operations managers, Planning Exec, Logistics Manager, distribution managers, franchise team, planners and allocators regarding all stock to stores information and relevant business decisions.•Working closely with the Planners and allocators regarding stock to stores and related projects and problems. •New & Expansion store planning (sub dept stock plans)-projected opening stock plan based on need •Manage sub dept stock levels for all stores•Liaise with marketing and allocators for special events insuring stock numbers are sufficient and obtainable for flyers (openings, expansions, birthday’s, centres special events and counter offers).•Special projects – (maximizing stock productivity through analysing and adjusting allocations and options when necessary.)•Maintaining of the store master – feeding into planning. This is Red world maintenance function•Space Planning –re-forecasting dept space according to contributions and density. (managing bay counts and calculations)•Liaise with systems to improve and maintain mis stock applications(use of current systems more effectively when managing our stock)•Franchise merchandise Liaison and merchandise management. Show less Managed a senior area of 8 stores with a then annual turnover of roughly 150 million pa - total staff compliment of roughly 180 associates.Stock loss of under 0.4 and audit over 96%MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN RESOURSES RecruitmentSuccessionTraining / CoachingPerformance DiscussionsPeople management Initiate / Chair HearingsMotivationMERCHANDISE MANAGEMENT ShrinkageMerchandise Standards and profitability (layouts in conjunction with density to maximize sales).CUSTOMER CARE Handling of compliments and complainants. Maintaining good customer relationsADMINISTRATION Managing BudgetsAudit checksTarget calculationsCommunications to storesTrainingPayroll(controls) Show less

  • Operations & Sales Manager

    Jun 2014 - Oct 2016

  • Merchandise Operations Manager (National)

    Aug 2013 - Jun 2014

  • Operations Store Planning Manager

    May 2007 - Jul 2013

  • Area manager

    Jun 2004 - May 2007
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  Mr Price Apparel

  Nov 2016 - Apr 2020

  Merchandise Operations Manager

  Purpose:To provide operational input into the strategic merchandise planning process to ensure a balanced assortment of stock for current stores, new store openings and expansions taking into account the alignment of space utilization with merchandise sales plans by sub department.Areas of Responsibilities:• Strategically align space utilization in store with merchandise sales plans by sub department for all stores in line with the sales plans.• Regularly reviewing the profile of current stores taking into account profiles and attributes to ensure that stock levels are met for each store to maximize sales potential.• Analyzing space optimization and utilization in stores to improve overall GMROB (Gross Meter return on Space).• Working closely with store location planners/ store designers to strategically ensure that all stores and all sub departments are correctly stocked and spaced in accordance with their future planned sales.• Ensure that roll-up of location plans allows Ops targets in season to be achieved. Identify out-of-line situations in respect of above and recommend action plan in response.• Managing markdowns and stock clearance by stores across all sub departments from an operational perspective.• Keeping senior management informed by reviewing and analyzing reports, identifying trends, summarizing information and making suggestions on how to improve situations of concerns.• Doing post mortems on ROM and ROI to support business strategies and • Working on special projects to improve general sales and customer experience and or improve current processes. Show less

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  Mr Price Group

  Apr 2020 - Jul 2023

  Real Estate Business Development Manager

  Purpose*To optimize, identify and implement selected group Real Estate strategic operational projects/ways of working and initiatives by driving business improvements through innovation and efficiencies. *Managing group energy optimization and real estate maintenance initiatives. *Provide a Real Estate business analytical viewpoint that contributes to the strategic objectives within the division.Project manage new and revamped stores.

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  Mr Price Apparel

  Jul 2023 - now

  National Operations Business Development Manager

  Strategic Leader with a Proven Track Record in Team Development and Operational ExcellenceExperienced in crafting and leading strategic teams, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Adept at optimizing resources and processes to align with corporate strategic objectives, enhancing overall operational performance. Skilled in spearheading initiatives to improve efficiency and effectiveness across operational risk, workforce management, financial and supplier management, and inventory/space management. Committed to providing guidance and promoting excellence at all leadership levels. Show less