Ben Loft

Experience

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  MagicToast

  May 2006 - Oct 2012

  MAGIC TOAST (online and retail store) 06/2009 – 10/2012Retail Manager & Hardware/Softgoods Buyer• Management of up to 20 team members across 2 stores.• Responsible for staff training and delivering product knowledge whilst developing the team member’s roles andabilities to maximise their performance.• Liaising with the assistant managers across both stores to ensure company standards were met throughout= and todiscuss the trends and sales within the individual stores to maximize profitability across the company.• Implementing effective stock control across all stores and utilizing bespoke epos systems whilst ensuring retail spaceswere merchandised and all areas are maximized for customer product interaction.• Product testing and review, attending trade shows in the UK and Europe, attending sales meetings to discuss newand upcoming products.• Purchasing of hardware and soft goods, street wear and footwear for both retail and e commerce outlets Show less

  • Retail Buyer

    May 2009 - Oct 2012

  • Retail Manager

    May 2006 - Oct 2009
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  MDE Distribution

  May 2010 - Jul 2015

  Snow Sports Distribution and Brand Manager

  MDE Distribution (Action Sports) 10/2012 – 07/2015Distribution & Sales Manager• Execute marketing and branding campaigns in line with brand strategies throughout the UK and Europe.• Establishing new and maintaining existing key accounts across the action sports industry encompassing snow, surf,lifestyle and skate.• Effectively manage sponsored athletes ensuring exposure and branding at all times while maximizing individual &brand exposure.• Responsible for the design and printing of all promotional materials• Specification lead for technical product knowledge and key contact for the UK and Ireland.• Attending and hosting product launches, key sales meetings and industry trade shows.• Delivery of products into the market place and implementing POS and media based promotion across all platforms. Show less

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  Edenhouse Solutions Limited

  Jun 2015 - Nov 2021

  Edenhouse Solutions 07/2015 – 03/2017After 10 years working in the retail/E commerce and action sports industry I was keen to try something new and test myself in amore professional and challenging environment, I have always been comfortable with IT and felt that the industry was aninteresting and exciting new challenge.Edenhouse are the largest independent SAP consultancy in the UK so I was very proud to progress from resource planning to achange coordination role in a short time.Change Co-ordinator• Lead all change and enhancement processes.• Actively managing pieces of work throughout their life cycle ensuring both quality and accuracy of all data.• Project manager/co-ordinator for large pieces of work ensuring accurate status updates are provided and successfuldelivery against time and budget.• Present critical information, tailored to multiple departments across all platforms.• Undertake extensive voice and email communication with both internal teams and external clients to manageprogress and status of work throughout its lifecycle.• Act as the key point of escalation for clients and consultants for all change and enhancements.• Recommend efficiency improvements for all processes across the company.• Drive continuous process improvement to increase quality of delivery and over all service to customers.• Prepare and issue reports including but not limited to delivery dates, KPI metrics and budget.• Take part in external audits and reviews. Show less Resource Planner 07/2015 – 12/2016• Plan, Organise and co-ordinate work for over 200 consultants across multiple sites.• Act as key contact for clients and consultants for all operational activities.• Undertake extensive voice and email communications with both internal teams and external clients to co-ordinatethe delivery of operational activities.• Maintain and update customer specific commercial information and internal process documentation.• Liaise with management team, client and project managers to deliver creative solutions to scheduling and resourcingproblems.• Work with delivery, project and client mangers to actively monitor future work requests and resource forecasts inorder to identify additional areas of possible revenue generation.• Prepare and issue a range of operational reports including forecasting, delivery, KPI, estimates, and budgets. Show less

  • Change Management Coordinator

    Nov 2016 - Nov 2021

  • Resource Coordinator

    Jun 2015 - Nov 2016
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  Leicester Riders

  Jun 2018 - Nov 2021

  Merchandise and Ecomerce Manager

  Leicester Riders Basketball Club 03/2017 – presentHead of Merchandise and Ecommerce• Responsible for all aspects of Ecommerce and merchandise sourcing, product design, production, and marketing• Website design and functionality (non coding based)• Come up with and Run projects and incentives to increase customer spend and brand exposure• analysis of sales data to optimise conversion rates across multiple platforms• creatively merchandising spaces (sometimes in a very flexible manor) to ensure maximum product exposure• Ensuring a high level of customer service at all times in many different situations• Complete website and inventory management• Website analytics to monitor customer behaviours and ensure adaptivity to what is effective.• Introducing company wide processes to ensure controlled effective spend• Actively seeking out new business across many new and different industries• Maintaining and improving relationships with partners and sponsors• Creating a stronger supply chain for increased margins and quality of production• Helping other areas of the business with ideas for growth and aiding in their implementation Show less

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  Mattu Brands

  Oct 2021 - Dec 2022

  Brand Manager

  I am an accomplished and creative Brand Manager specializing in fashion brands. I possess a diverse skill set that includes collaborating closely with factories, designers, digital media, and sales agents. I am adept at presenting to senior management and thrive on having full creative control. Here are the key areas where I excel:- Factory Collaboration: I have a proven track record of building strong relationships with factories. By working closely with production teams, I ensure high-quality standards, timely delivery, and cost-effective manufacturing processes.- Design Partnership: I am skilled at collaborating with designers to bring creative visions to life. By understanding their artistic direction and market trends, I guide the design process and facilitate effective communication between designers and production teams. This ensures the development of compelling and on-brand fashion collections.- Digital Media Integration: I develop and implement digital marketing strategies, manage social media campaigns, and optimize online presence to drive brand visibility and engage with target audiences. - Sales Agent Collaboration: I work closely with sales agents to implement effective sales strategies and expand brand distribution networks. Through market trend analysis and consumer preference insights, I identify growth opportunities and ensure brand consistency across various retail channels. - Presenting to Senior Management: With excellent communication and presentation skills, I deliver compelling brand proposals and progress reports to senior management. By articulating strategic insights, market analysis, and performance metrics, I gain buy-in for key initiatives, secure resources, and achieve organizational alignment.- Business Setup: I possess an entrepreneurial mindset and have been integral in the set up new fashion brands. From market research and competitive analysis to developing business plans and implementing brand strategies. Show less

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  Fashion UK

  Dec 2022 - now

  Designer in fashion

  I’m a passionate designer with a proven track record in licensed fashion. Recognised for creating visually captivating designs that have been successfully purchased by stores such as NEXT, C&A, Lidl, and Primark. Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, I possess the technical skills necessary to bring creative concepts to life while ensuring commercial viability.- Developed a reputation for creating visually appealing designs in the licensed fashion sector.- Successfully secured partnerships with leading retailers such as NEXT, C&A Lidl, & Primark.- Demonstrated a keen understanding of licensed fashion trends & translated them into commercially successful designs.- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of design concepts.- Utilised Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop to modify, create, & develop captivating visual elements and exciting and original designs.- Proven ability to create visually captivating designs in the licensed fashion industry.- A keen eye for aesthetics, ensuring designs resonate with the target audience.- In-depth knowledge of current trends, incorporating them into design concepts.- Proficient in Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop for creating & refining detailed designs and patterns.- Comfortable with leveraging design software to bring creative visions to life.- Strong teamwork and collaboration abilities, thriving in fast-paced, dynamic environments.- Excellent communication skills, effectively conveying design concepts and receiving feedback.- Adaptable and receptive to constructive criticism, constantly seeking growth opportunities.In summary, I have a talent for creating visually captivating designs that have been successfully chosen by large high street retailers. With strong communication and collaboration abilities, I am a valuable addition to any team, bringing creativity, market knowledge, and a proven track record of success. Show less