Angela Loach
Toowoomba,QLD
Summary
Accomplished Store Leader with over 26 years leadership experience with a proven track record most recently at JB Hi-Fi, driving individual store sales to a multi million dollar increase with success through strategic merchandise management and effective team leadership. Expert in inventory control and loss prevention, with a knack for fostering talent and enhancing customer engagement. Skilled in coaching, mentoring, and achieving ambitious KPIs, ensuring operational excellence and client satisfaction.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Merchandise Manager
JB Hi-Fi
Toowoomba
06.2014 - Current
- Stepped in as role of acting Store Manager whenever required over 10 years as a Senior Leader within the business.
- Lead a successful retail business to almost 40 million $ in FY24.
- Organised and developed recruitment initiatives to find and foster new talent for the business. Lead both individual and group interview style meetings for up to 20 prospective team members at a time. Lead our Peak trade recruitment drives each year with 150+ interviews to hire 40 new team members over a 1 month period.
- Ensuring team maintains a safe work environment for our entire team, visitors/contractors and customers. Using SWP's and appropriate PPE at all times to ensure everyone goes home each day to their families.
- Boosted sales performance by effectively managing merchandise on shop floor including the executing of planograms and maintaining effective inventory levels from data obtained from various reporting methods. Liaising stock from couriers in BOH to shop floor and then into the hands of our customers.
- Motivated and mentored store team up to 60+ employees to achieve high performance and job satisfaction across all aspects of the business. Management and Admin team, Sales and commissioned team members, Merchandise team, Counter team, Operations team and FOH 3rd party security team.
- Enhanced visual presentation of products, driving customer engagement and boosting sales conversion rates and KPI's whilst setting strategic goals and planning for future promotional events.
- Rostering of all team and working within budgets to ensure spend % stays in line with actual earnings week on week.
- Monitored inventory levels via daily and weekly reporting and made necessary adjustments to maximize sales and GP %. Obtaining and reviewing feedback from team and customers to tailor offerings to suit needs of the business and identify trends and improve product selection and gaps in service goals.
- Optimised inventory integrity, completing weekly and bi annual stocktakes to help identify areas of concern and work with team to build solutions around stock loss and receipting errors in BOH.
- Built positive and sustainable relationships within the community and with brand representatives to enhance and grow the local business whilst establishing clear expectations for communication, delivery timelines and quality standards.
- Managed high-performing team members, providing ongoing coaching and development opportunities for career advancement. Weekly STARS coaching for the sales team, daily floor coaching, SWOTS and role competencies for the wider team.
Sales Manager
Myer Department Store
Toowoomba, QLD
03.2011 - 06.2014
- Lead teams of 150+ across the electrical, homewares, furniture, toys, fashion and cosmetics depts. Consulted with high end fashion concession businesses that operated from within the Myer brand as well as a Hair dresser, Photo Studio and Cafe that had leased shared space.
- Handled customer relations opportunities and concerns, enabling quick resolution, and client satisfaction with the optimised outcome of ensuring a return customer.
- Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing effective sales strategies through strong merchandise techniques and high team engagement.
- Built long-lasting client relationships through excellent customer service and consistent followups through our store loyalty program.
- Led a successful sales team by providing motivational coaching and performance-based incentives.
- Organized regular sales meetings to review progress, share best practices, and set achievable targets for continued success.
- Coached employees in successful selling methods and encouraged cross-selling to drive revenue.
- Provided ongoing training and mentorship for all sales staff, fostering professional development and career growth.
- Identified, hired and trained to achieve highly-qualified staff by teaching best practices, procedures, and sales strategies.
- Attended industry road shows, conventions, and other meetings to grow ability and share the knowledge through product training, demonstrations and consumer awareness with the sales team and improve my own personal product knowledge to increase sales.
- Compiled and analyzed data to determine approaches to improve sales and performance.
Store Manager in Training
Wallace Bishop Jewellers
Browns Plains, QLD
08.2010 - 02.2011
- Provided excellent customer service by addressing inquiries, resolving issues, and ensuring each guest had an enjoyable shopping experience.
- Oversaw daily store operations, ensuring smooth workflows and timely completion of tasks for optimal customer experience.
- Evaluated employee performance against established goals, providing coaching or corrective action as needed to support individual development plans.
- Improved store efficiency by streamlining inventory management and implementing effective merchandise organisation strategies.
- High end selling techniques, product knowledge and history, insurance claims, jewellery and watch repairs.
Store Manager
Dick Smith Electronics
Toowoomba, QLD
09.2006 - 07.2010
- Store Manager of 3 different stores - Toowoomba, Logan Central and Capalaba Central.
- Opened flagship Powerhouse store in Springwood and new store openings at Clifford Gardens, Toowoomba and across several Brisbane locations.
- Managed daily operations to ensure smooth functioning of the store, maintaining a clean, safe environment for customers and employees. Oversaw safety in the Toowoomba region and helped the company to achieve its vision of 'Destination Zero'.
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Addressed customer complaints promptly and professionally, resolving issues to maintain positive relationships with clientele.
- Managed store employees successfully in fast-paced environment through proactive communication and positive feedback.
Store Manager
The Warehouse Group
Toowoomba, QLD
05.2000 - 09.2006
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures. Lead night fill operations mentoring a large group of junior team members through strong work ethic and high merchandising skills.
- Lead one of the company's flagship big box discount retail stores and the largest in QLD at over 3000m2 with 50+ team members.
Assistant Store Manager
Dimmeys Department Store
Toowoomba, QLD
01.1998 - 05.2000
- Managed cash registers efficiently, ensuring accurate transactions, balancing drawers daily, and minimizing discrepancies.
- Managed opening and closing procedures and recommended changes to enhance efficiency of daily activities.
- Enhanced store appearance for increased sales by maintaining cleanliness and implementing strategic merchandise displays.
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
Education
St Josephs College
Toowoomba, QLD1998
Skills
- Organisation and task allocation
- Merchandise presentation and store layout optimisation
- Rostering and Budget forecasting
- Inventory Management and Loss Prevention
- Recruitment and Career Succession planning
- Promotional and Event planning
- Supply Chain Coordination
- Communication and Meeting Coordination
- Coaching and Mentoring
- KPI goal setting
- Results driven, motivated team player
- Customer and Client focused
Timeline
Merchandise Manager
JB Hi-Fi
06.2014 - Current
Sales Manager
Myer Department Store
03.2011 - 06.2014
Store Manager in Training
Wallace Bishop Jewellers
08.2010 - 02.2011
Store Manager
Dick Smith Electronics
09.2006 - 07.2010
Store Manager
The Warehouse Group
05.2000 - 09.2006
Assistant Store Manager
Dimmeys Department Store
01.1998 - 05.2000
St Josephs College