Kara-Lea Cope
Worongary,QLD
Summary
Accomplished professional fosters performance-based culture centered on building and deepening customer relationships. Engages customers with strategic approaches and builds trust and loyalty to drive sales and territory growth. Knowledgeable about financial, operational and sales leadership.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Territory Manager
The Brisbane Distributors
Brisbanr, Qld
11.2025 - Current
- Developed territory strategies to enhance distribution efficiency.
- Managed relationships with key clients to ensure service satisfaction.
- Coordinated product launches across multiple retail locations.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales in assigned territory.
- Established relationships with key customers, vendors, and distributors in the area.
- Maintained direct personal contact with all assigned accounts and fostered relations with new ones.
- Developed solid connections with customers to promote products.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally.
- Devised territory sales plans to exceed revenue and market penetration goals.
- Met or exceeded established targets for revenue growth month over month.
- Stayed current on competitor sales, prices and products.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends and opportunities for growth.
- Consulted with customers to gain feedback and improve deliveries.
- Negotiated contracts with new clients while maintaining existing business relationships.
- Planned travel schedule for visiting stores within assigned territory on a regular basis.
- Monitored competitor activities in the region to ensure competitive advantage.
- Maintained accurate records of all sales activities including orders placed, invoices issued, payments received.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams such as marketing and finance to achieve organizational goals.
- Generated sales proposals, plan-o-grams and analytical analysis of business.
Sales Representative Manager
Fresh Food Management Services ( Robert Timms )
Gold Coast, Qld
04.2025 - 11.2025
- Managed team of sales representatives to enhance customer engagement strategies.
- Developed training programs for new sales staff to improve product knowledge.
- Coordinated sales campaigns to promote Fresh Food Management Services offerings.
Store Support Manager
COLES Supermarkets Australia
Gold Coast, QLD
02.2014 - 04.2025
- Provide overall support and assistance to the store manager in day-to-day operations and coordinate and oversee the implementation of store initiatives and projects.
- Develop and maintain effective communication channels with the store team and other departments and monitor and analyse store performance metrics, such as sales, profit, and customer satisfaction.
- Identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to optimise store efficiency and ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and safety standards.
- Train, mentor, and supervise store team members to ensure high performance and productivity and conduct regular store inspections to ensure proper merchandising, cleanliness, and organisation.
- Manage inventory levels, including ordering, receiving, and reconciling stock and handle customer complaints and resolve issues in a timely and satisfactory manner.
Acting Store Manager
COLES Supermarkets Australia
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Assume full responsibility for store operations in the absence of the store manager and lead and motivate the store team to achieve sales targets and deliver exceptional customer service.
- Monitor and manage store finances, including budgeting, cost control, and profit optimisation and develop and implement strategies to drive sales growth and increase market share.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements and conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback to team members.
- Collaborate with other departments to ensure smooth coordination of store activities and manage escalated customer issues and resolve them effectively.
- Implement visual merchandising standards to enhance the store's appearance and promote product visibility and prepare and analyse reports on store performance and provide recommendations for improvement.
Acting Store Manager
COLES Supermarkets Australia
01.2015 - 01.2016
Department Manager
IKEA
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Manage and oversee the operations of a specific department within the IKEA store and develop and implement departmental strategies to achieve sales targets and drive customer satisfaction.
- Maintain visual merchandising standards within the department to enhance product presentation and maximise sales and conduct regular departmental meetings to communicate goals, objectives, and operational updates.
- Handle customer inquiries, complaints, and escalations, ensuring prompt and satisfactory resolutions and ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and safety regulations.
Store Manager
Howard's Storage World
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Oversee all aspects of store operations, including sales, inventory, staffing, and customer service and lead and motivate a team of store employees, providing guidance, training, and performance evaluations.
- Monitor and control store expenses to ensure profitability and cost efficiency and maintain a high level of visual merchandising standards to create an attractive and organized store environment.
- Handle customer inquiries, complaints, and issues, ensuring prompt and satisfactory resolutions and ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Home Wares Manager
Bay Swiss Home Wares
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Manage the home wares department, overseeing all aspects of operations, sales, and customer service and develop and implement strategies to drive sales growth and increase profitability within the department.
- Train, mentor, and motivate a team of home wares employees, ensuring high levels of performance and productivity and monitor inventory levels and ensure proper stock availability to meet customer demands.
- Collaborate with suppliers to negotiate pricing, product assortment, and promotional activities and maintain visual merchandising standards within the department to create an appealing and organised shopping environment.
Business Owner
Mudgeeraba Organic Market
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Establish and manage a successful organic market business, including operations, sales, and customer service and develop and implement business strategies to drive sales growth and increase profitability.
- Source and procure organic products from suppliers, ensuring quality and competitive pricing and create and maintain positive relationships with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
- Oversee day-to-day business operations, including staffing, inventory management, and financial administration and develop and execute marketing and promotional activities to attract and retain customers.
Timeline
Territory Manager
The Brisbane Distributors
11.2025 - Current
Sales Representative Manager
Fresh Food Management Services ( Robert Timms )
04.2025 - 11.2025
Acting Store Manager
COLES Supermarkets Australia
01.2017 - 01.2018
Acting Store Manager
COLES Supermarkets Australia
01.2015 - 01.2016
Store Support Manager
COLES Supermarkets Australia
02.2014 - 04.2025
Department Manager
IKEA
01.2010 - 01.2014
Store Manager
Howard's Storage World
01.2007 - 01.2010
Home Wares Manager
Bay Swiss Home Wares
01.2004 - 01.2007
Business Owner
Mudgeeraba Organic Market
01.2001 - 01.2004