Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Alison Thomas

MERMAID WATERS,QLD

Summary

With over three decades of involvement in the fashion industry specialising in surf, skate and snow,

A dedicated and motivated leader who excels in overseeing strategic direction, operations and sales across various business channels.

Ensuring adherence to budgets and key business metrics, with a proven track record.

As General Manager, close collaboration with international and regional teams is maintained to drive product innovation, streamline operations and improve customer satisfaction.

Extensive background in product, sales, and operations enables the mentoring and development of teams at the grassroots level with a keen focus on intricate details.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience

Work History

General Manager Australia and New Zealand

Liberated Brands - Volcom, Spyder, Captain Fin
08.2017 - Current
  • 150 Employees
  • 40 Head Office Employees
  • 13 Retail Stores - Outlet and Full Price
  • 309 Wholesale Accounts - Australasia
  • Three E-commerce Websites
  • Two Marketplace Websites
  • Two Distributor partnerships
  • Strategic Leadership: Developing and implementing the overall strategic vision and direction of the organization across Australasia.
  • Operational Efficiency: Ensuring day to day operations run smoothly and efficiently, overseeing various departments and processes.
  • Financial Management: Responsible for financial health, including budgeting, financial planning, and ensuring profitability.
  • Team Management: Building and leading a cohesive team, fostering a positive work culture, and ensuring effective communication across all levels.
  • Stakeholder Relations: Managing relationships with key stakeholders, such as clients, partners, and international relationships internal and external, to ensure alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
  • Proficient in managing e-commerce, full-price retail, outlet retail and wholesale operations.
  • Managing a multichannel environment to drive sales growth and capitalize on growth opportunities.
  • Providing comprehensive support to all Sales Agency partners to ensure consistent utilization of brand assets and adherence to brand guidelines.
  • Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
  • Consistently delivered year on year revenue growth and profitability, consistently exceeding budget targets

Product Director/Operations

Volcom
12.2010 - 08.2018
  • Managing multi-channel product operations
  • Negotiated terms with vendors and suppliers, reducing costs while maintaining quality standards for products/services delivered.
  • Increased product profitability by implementing data-driven strategies and market research insights.
  • Led cross functional teams for successful product launches and timely delivery of key milestones.
  • Conducted market research to identify new opportunities and target markets.
  • Managed budget allocation and resource utilization to maximize marketing ROI.
  • Collaborated with sales and marketing teams to develop compelling product messaging, value propositions, and marketing collateral.
  • Developed comprehensive go to market plans, resulting in increased brand awareness and customer acquisition.

Product Merchandiser

Volcom
08.2007 - 12.2010


  • Managed development of product ranges for Men's and Women's Apparel and Accessories.
  • Managed seasonal annual collections, design and development teams
  • Managed all commercial pricing and margin management to budget
  • Produced and managed teams to deliver comprehensive layout plans for retail and wholesale partners.
  • Specialized in data driven range development of upcoming seasonal product lines based on research and analysis of current sales trends.
  • Travelling to factories for price and production negotiations and overall delivery of seasonal collections to budget.
  • Streamlined the product development process for faster time to market and improved efficiency.
  • Launched successful products by conducting thorough market research and identifying customer needs.
  • Led cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality products on time and within budget constraints.

Production Coordinator and Product Manager

Volcom
07.2006 - 08.2007
  • Management of the Accessories division responsible for sourcing, pricing and range architecture
  • Complete factory and strategic direction change. Resulted in a 300% increase and market leader in the Accessories division.
  • Working with design and development teams on resourcing and implementation of accessories relaunch
  • Management of production purchase orders.
  • Working with vendors and logistics teams in directing and executing production activities to ensure products were delivered on time and within budget
  • Streamlined the product development process for faster time to market and improved efficiency.
  • Launched successful products by conducting thorough market research and identifying customer needs.

Vice Presidant Board Member

Surf And Boardsports Industry Association - SBIA
11.2018 - Current


  • Provide strategic guidance and oversight to the SBIA a non-profit organisation, founded by, and run by Surf & Boardsports Retailers and Industry Brands. The association serves as the preeminent voice on a grassroots level with manufacturers, suppliers, and other associations.
  • Actively participate in fundraising efforts and donor cultivation to support the financial sustainability of the organization.
  • Engage in strategic planning sessions to define priorities, assess risks, and make informed decisions about the organization's future direction.
  • Serve as a passionate advocate for the organization, promoting its mission and values within the community and fostering positive relationships with stakeholders.
  • Host and support organisational physical and digital events
  • Developed new revenue streams by identifying growth opportunities and forging strategic partnerships with key industry players.
  • Spearheaded organizational restructuring initiatives, streamlining operations and reducing overhead costs.

Product Manager Accessories,Snow,Eyewear&Footwear

Rip Curl, Australia
01.2002 - 04.2005
  • Conducted market research to identify product assortment requirements for seasonal collections within company budgets.
  • Provided team leadership to design and development professionals, offering mentoring and coaching to enhance their knowledge and skills.
  • Regularly traveled to factories to negotiate and develop product collections.
  • Set goals and formalized financial targets to maximize team performance and project efficiency.
  • Conducted sales presentations to empower the sales force with comprehensive product knowledge for maximizing growth.
  • Managed reporting and data analysis to prioritize key elements.
  • Fostered cross-functional collaboration with departments such as marketing, sales, and supply chain to ensure alignment of product strategies with overall business objectives.
  • Engaged with key stakeholders including customers, suppliers, and internal teams to gather feedback and incorporate input into product development initiatives.
  • Managed the entire product lifecycle from concept to launch, including ideation, requirements gathering, design, development, testing, launch, and post-launch evaluation.
  • Implemented initiatives to enhance the overall customer experience, such as user interface enhancements, feature updates, and customer support improvements based on feedback and data analysis.
  • Collaborated with marketing teams to develop product messaging, positioning, and go-to-market strategies, ensuring successful product launches and ongoing marketing support.
  • Provided product training and education to internal teams, sales channels, and customers to ensure understanding of product features, benefits and value proposition.
  • Stayed abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices through participation in industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities, positioning the organization as a thought leader in the market.

Sales and Snow Account Manager

Ripcurl
01.2001 - 01.2002
  • Managed 112 Accounts across NSW South Coast territory
  • Achieved consistent sales growth across all seasonal collections, exceeding sales targets and establishing strong client relationships that led to high-value deals.
  • Proficient in prospecting, consultative selling, and cultivating customer loyalty to drive sales success.
  • Demonstrated ability to maximize revenue growth through strategic sales techniques and adept negotiation skills.
  • Collaborated closely with Product and Marketing teams at brand headquarters to optimize brand growth and market positioning, ensuring alignment with sales objectives and customer needs.
  • Extensive experience in articulating complex technical product specifications and details to support training and sales..

Sponsored Snowboard Athlete

Oakley
05.1999 - 12.2007
  • Brand ambassador for launch of Oakley snowboarding division.
  • Competition in Big Air, Half Pipe, Boardercross
  • Ranked second in Australia 2006 Big Air

Snowboard Instructor

Vail Resorts Inc
05.1995 - 10.2002
  • Certified level 3 snowboard Instuctor
  • Engaged beginners in advanced snowboarding skills while maintaining a fun environment that encouraged ongoing participation.
  • Supported resort operations by effectively managing group bookings, scheduling lessons, and providing timely communication to both students and instructors.


Term Deposit Manager & Bank Teller

Westpac Banking
09.1992 - 05.1995
  • Front-line banking professional who interacted with customers, verifying their identification, processing deposits, withdrawals and facilitating various financial transactions.
  • Served as the initial point of contact for customers entering the bank.
  • Provided customers with detailed information concerning current interest rates, terms for sound investment.
  • Responsible for the administration of the Bank's wire transfer systems, and related products and services.

Jewellery Import and Wholsale

Owner-Operator
01.1992 - 01.2000
  • Founded and operated 'Crystalized,' a leading importer and wholesaler of silverware jewelry.
  • Established and cultivated positive relationships with suppliers and customers.
  • Implemented strategic sourcing strategies to secure high-quality products and innovative designs.
  • Managed all aspects of business operations, including range planning, pricing, importing, sales, inventory management, and financial analysis.
    Directed marketing and branding initiatives to enhance brand visibility and competitiveness.
  • Implemented efficient logistics and supply chain management processes.
    Pioneered product development to stay ahead of market trends and surpass customer expectations.

Skills

  • Organizational Growth
  • Operations and Strategic Planning
  • Profit and Loss Management
  • Leadership and Team Management
  • Experience in global collaboration and leadership
  • Effective team timeline management leadership
  • Client Engagement
  • Merchandise Management
  • Product Development and Management
  • Nonprofit board membership experience

Timeline

Vice Presidant Board Member

Surf And Boardsports Industry Association - SBIA
11.2018 - Current

General Manager Australia and New Zealand

Liberated Brands - Volcom, Spyder, Captain Fin
08.2017 - Current

Product Director/Operations

Volcom
12.2010 - 08.2018

Product Merchandiser

Volcom
08.2007 - 12.2010

Production Coordinator and Product Manager

Volcom
07.2006 - 08.2007

Product Manager Accessories,Snow,Eyewear&Footwear

Rip Curl, Australia
01.2002 - 04.2005

Sales and Snow Account Manager

Ripcurl
01.2001 - 01.2002

Sponsored Snowboard Athlete

Oakley
05.1999 - 12.2007

Snowboard Instructor

Vail Resorts Inc
05.1995 - 10.2002

Term Deposit Manager & Bank Teller

Westpac Banking
09.1992 - 05.1995

Jewellery Import and Wholsale

Owner-Operator
01.1992 - 01.2000

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Alison Thomas