Ricardo De Sousa

Experience

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  Botswana Decorators - Travaglini

  Mar 2000 - May 2003

  Branch/Store Manager

  Store Manager Mar 2001 – May 2004Botswana Decorators, TravagliniHardware outlet – Retailer which specializes in Building materials, plumbing and quality tools. Company also did external works which included fine décor, plumbing, painting and tiling § Accountable for stock control, material procurement, customer relations management, merchandising and data capture of sales§ Ensured effective maintenance & management of store set-up and organised staff & external works§ Maintained of point of sale system§ Analyzed existing sales patterns and reported to the Managing Director§ Accountable for cash flow management including reconciliation & banking, debtor & creditor control§ Maintained repair turn-around-time and ensured prompt service Show less

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  Wholesale Hardware Distributors

  Jan 2003 - Nov 2004

  National Sales Rep - Botswana

  This entailed Sales Rep work throughout Botswana. Account Management, order collecting, capturing and processing and submitting claims.Growing the existing customer base which I took. This territory was grown by a massive 400% in the time I sent with WHD. I contribute this to my dedication and knowledge of the Botswana market.Sales Representative Apr 2004 – Oct 2005Wholesale Hardware Distributors (WHD), South BotswanaDistributors of building materials, Plumbing suppliers, Iron monger and tools§ Responsible for sales & marketing of a comprehensive product range within the South Botswana§ Maintaining existing accounts and initiated opening of new accounts and merchandised new stores§ Controlled and monitored pick-up’s & claims§ Budget Forecasts and ensure set targets are obtained Show less

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  Hi-Fi Corporation

  Nov 2004 - Aug 2012

  Branch Manager - Hi Fi Corporation - Various Locations (Consumer Electronics)

  Area/Regional Manager – North/North West Overall responsibility of 6 stores in my allocated area whilst running my own store until a Store Manager could be placed and trained up. Worked closely with other Regional Managers on strategy for the business whilst leading Store Managers in my own territory.As a member of the Senior Management Team, I regularly drew on my proven commercial acumen and experience and as a result, contributed strategically and was also able to translate strategic objectives into meaningful business plans and operational directives for my direct reports and their teams.My duties included:• Setting sales targets• Maximizing sales and profitability• Providing my team with a stimulating and supportive environment• Maintaining and increasing standards of customer service• Driving team performance• Controlling the training and development of my staffBranch / Store Manager November 2004 – July 2011• Spearheaded functions as a Branch Manager for the Business and completed the Regional Operations Manager Development Program• Lead a team consisting of 70 team members & 5 Line Managers• Actively contributed to numerous store openings at an operational level• Constantly monitoring the stock levels and deciding upon stock whilst managing loss of stock & replenishment• Effectively prioritized and managed multiple tasks simultaneously, while meeting all deadlines• Focused on customer-service ensuring the achievement of highest level of customer satisfaction• Evaluated performance against the set objectives and developed strategies to enhance standards• Developed a team-based work environment, established performance expectations and conducted regular performance evaluations of the employees• Responsible for overseeing staffing requirements, managing staff and building a strong business minded team to assist in growing the business Show less

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  Farmers Trading Company Ltd

  Sept 2012 - Nov 2013

  Retail Store Manager

  • Started as a second tier Manager when I moved to New Zealand (2012)• Relocated the Hamilton Town Store to Centre Place (New Location)• Managed the closure of the Old Store/Clearance Store• Promoted in December 2012 to Store Manager and Farmers relocated me to Nelson• Drove customer service strategy • Ensured that people management practices, processes and systems in store attracted, developed, retained, motivated and rewarded all team members• Drove a culture that celebrated the Farmers values (our success, our customers and our people)• Delivered the financial performance for the store in line with agreed store net contribution targets• Achieved Expenses KPI• Achieved Company Stock loss KPI• Ensured ‘World’-specific KPIs are achieved• Ensured presentations standards for the store are met• Complied with Health & Safety (H&S) regulations Show less

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  Noel Leeming

  Nov 2013 - May 2015

  Store Manager Noel Leeming Te Rapa (The Base)

  • Was brought in as a Floating Store Manager in November 2013, was awarded the Te Rapa Store in January 2014• Flag Ship store in the Waikato/BOPo Store Utilised for Internet Sales Fulfilment - Managed as Key Dial for me as I was the Store Manager• Full accountability for the Store Resultso NPS Scoreso Key Dials Managemento Customer Service/Experience Managemento Shrinkage• Marketing/Promotional Execution• Micro Marketing at Store Level• PNL Management• Staff Engagement• Staff Development; Coaching, Mentoring and Succession Planning• Managed a team of 30 people including 3 Line Managers Show less

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  Hunter Furniture Co

  May 2015 - Jun 2017

  National Sales Manager at Hunter Furniture & La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery

  Managed 13 Hunter Furniture & La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries.Oversaw the performance of 13 locations within the group to achieve and improve Net Contribution and all other KPI’s specified, as well as ensure compliance to all company policies, procedures and company standards.My primary focus was to develop and train Managers to build high performing teams that deliver a high level of customer service in line with the company Customer Value Proposition (CVP) whilst ensuring the appropriate controls around safety, stock, security, store controllable expenses and store presentation standards were in place.• Reported directly to the Managing Director - Was responsible for the development of the store management teams and their succession planning, performance improvement, training and development• Managed a team of 10 Store Managers (direct reports) with an additional 35 indirect reports. (13 Stores)• Completed performance reviews on Store Managers• Managed and delivered on the proposed budgeted and KPI’s, while controlling expenses; including wages• Drove cultural change and implemented new turn around initiatives throughout divestment and preparing the business for growth - which included new systems, and new sales training implemented over a 12 month period• Managed all aspects of performance management including conducting performance improvement and performance management. • Managed recruitment including induction and training of new Store Managers, group recruitment and group training sessions for new store openings• Managed regional locations effectively with considerable travel included.• Analysed Sales and KPI data to identify and impact categories which were down on trend (LY) and formulated action plans to turn this performance around quickly. Show less

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  Furtex

  Jun 2017 - Jan 2019

  Territory Account Manager

  Territory Account Manager Leading wholesale suppliers of home wares and furnishings to retailers, manufacturers, and textiles retailers.Responsible for increasing sales through effective account management and business development across a vast territory. Key Relationships included the Sales team leader, Sales Support, Clients and Prospects.Account Management• Developed, maintained and grew customer portfolios with sustainable long-term client relationships• Setup call cycles & Forecasted and tracked key account metrics• Sales Growth - Achieved 10% sales growth on territory numbers• Set up customer appointments, planed approaches/pitches and how to handle any possible objections• Reported on outcome of customer visits and create action plans resulting from each call or visit• Followed up with customers to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction• Operated as the lead point of contact for all matters specific to my customers• Received and remedied customer complaints and grievances by finding win-win solutions for both the customer and the business• Kept up to date all customer accounts, contacts and pricing information, using CRM systemBusiness Development (BDM)• Identified new business opportunities from both new and existing customers• Generated sales for a portfolio of accounts to reach the company's sales target• Identified and grew opportunities within my territory and collaborated with sales teams to ensure growth was attained• Ensured progress against sales targets were closely monitored with corrective action being taken as necessary to maintain expectations of the business and customers• Traveled and visited potential customers to progress sales opportunities, performed sales activities on major accounts and negotiated prices in consultation with the Sales team leader Show less

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  Horticom Ltd

  Jan 2019 - now

  Sales Account Manager South Island

  Account Relationship Management• Maximise efficiencies using CRM, recording accurate notes and contact information• Manage call cycle using CRM• Have regular meetings with buyers and key customer contacts• Building effective relationships with key contacts and floor staff• Vendor Refill• Order taking & processing through to Customer Services• Resolving customer queries• Resolving issues regarding orders and out-of-stock items• Negotiating ‘real estate’ on site• Use both in store and ex Office data to maximise sales opportunities while minimising gaps in stores• Organise promotional timetables and maximise the ordersMerchandising• Ensuring Horticom products are displayed effectively in bays• Managing off location displays• Adhere to our store display standards • Adhere to agreed bay layout formats• Assist with Store/Bay Update projects• Manage on-site Merchandising personnel in my area – motivating, coaching & assisting as required• Seeking reports from customers to benefit sales • Assist with merchandising new stores• Ensure all point of sale items are in store Product Training• Participate in Store Promotional events • Assist with formal training sessions in store• Arrange opportunities to assist at POS• Assist customers with ideas, quotes and stock availabilityManaging Stock Levels• Actively seek outlets & promotional opportunities for SLOB• Negotiate special offers• Liaise with CM’s and Management re. Bulk offers and package deals Show less