SAMAR AFUNI
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
Highly motivated, organized, and conscientious individual with competitive and international experience in brand management, project management, visual merchandising and business development. A self-starter and ethical professional with a proven track record of accountability, professionalism, and integrity. Equipped with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to foster robust partnerships at all organizational levels. An inspiring leader and team member with the ability to establish engaging operations through teamwork and collaboration.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
VM Production Manager
MECCA Brands
Melbourne, VIC
08.2022 - 03.2023
- Established and updated production schedules to meet changing demands and business needs.
- Developed and implemented significant process improvements to enhance department quality and workflow.
- Created project plans with established timelines, assigned to appropriate teams and managed workflow.
- Identified needs and coordinated resource allocation to deliver quality standards on time and within budget.
- Focused on project monitoring and management by developing forecasts and tracking expenses.
- Oversaw implementation and installation of monthly campaigns for windows, kiosks, carts and in-store collateral.
National Visual Merchandising Specialist - Beauty
David Jones
Melbourne, VIC
08.2017 - 07.2022
- Managed various brand management functions/ processes & visual merchandising which include master activations calendar (windows, in-store hotspots and in-store digital content based on seasonal promotional marketing calendar), colored ticketing portal, subsidy tracker & subsidy collection, spearheading pop-up activations working with 2D and 3D build/ window execution for all vendor activity in beauty working with 175+ brands.
- Consistently achieved subsidy collect financial year targets fulfilling gross profit for department.
- Negotiated agreements with beauty brands managing and maintaining seasonal ticketing, launches, activations and in-store digital.
- Worked collaboratively with merchandising, marketing, digital, design team & in-store teams to execute updated merchandising plans to increase branding exposure, customer traffic and sales.
- Oversaw multiple store refurbishments in different locations, including David Jones Carindale, David Jones Elizabeth St., and David Jones Bourke St
- Provided informative Beauty Vendor Guidelines and manage the rolling out of manuals to vendors and suppliers nationally
- Created campaign and VM decks for all stores weekly communicating upcoming launches, activations, deliveries, installations, and campaigns
- Delivered hands-on training and coaching to in-store team members on a bi-monthly basis.
Visual Merchandising Manager
OMEGA, The Swatch Group
Melbourne, VIC
06.2014 - 08.2017
- Exhibited project management skills by successfully handling OMEGA’s new store openings in various locations across Australia
- Conceptualized and developed a VM manual for 22 stores in AUS and NZ coaching teams regularly
- Functioned as the creative lead for new store openings while tracking and monitoring budgets, prints, and maintenance reports
- Proficiently handled and managed the artworks, printing, material sourcing, store advertising, lightboxes, and execution for all stores.
- Created window and in-store displays for retail businesses and managed store overall appearance to market products effectively, deliver visual appeal and stimulate sales.
Regional Visual Merchandising Manager
Maxmara Group, Alyasra
Kuwait City, Kuwait
06.2013 - 05.2014
- Provided creative direction and oversaw window styling execution for 13+ brands, including Maxmara, Kenzo, and Jimmy Choo
- Directed the production of advertising print collateral, supply, and installation of window materials for seasonal campaigns
- Proactively collaborated and liaised with international stakeholders while supervising the training for VM and support positions
- Established work organization by conceptualizing and communicating planograms and styling sheets for Maxmara Brands.
- Drove and tracked schedules for visual displays and spearheaded new system for systematically updating, refreshing or renewing designs and displays.
- Produced various design layouts for window, interior and sign displays and floor plans.
Area Visual Merchandising Manager
H&M, Alshaya Group
Kuwait City, Kuwait
02.2012 - 06.2013
- Managed and directed the visual merchandising for new store openings while providing store training, directing window styling, and implemented VM strategies, consequently enhancing daily operations and promoting business development
- Facilitated conference calls with the VM store support team across 7 countries for progress updates and reports
- Administrated the sourcing, production & execution of collateral screening advertisement recruitment for VM support roles.
- Collaborated with assistant merchandisers to draft, design and develop new project and display ideas and presented results to supervisors.
- Inspired and trained team members in both creative and logistical aspects of merchandising, equipping colleagues to design and implement innovative displays.
Area Visual Merchandising Manager
Dean & Deluca, Alshaya Group
Kuwait City, Kuwait
01.2010 - 02.2012
- Directed and managed the development of Shop-in-Shop Info Pack weekly for 72 stores across the Middle East
- Managed the company’s visual merchandising by efficiently directing sales associates, department managers, and visual merchandisers
- Handled the visual merchandising processes for new store openings while supervising 4 visual merchandisers across the middle east
- Oversaw the development and implementation of visual merchandising manuals across 4 stores in Kuwait, Doha, and Dubai
- Administrated the monthly production and execution of plans for 4 stores while managing the store’s layouts for in-store events
- Regularly traveled to Dubai and Qatar to provide hands-on direction, guidance, and support, resulting in enhanced business operations
- Proactively collaborated and coordinated with Category Managers, Managing Directors, Operations Managers, and Head Chef
- Spearheaded the screening and recruitment processes for Visual Merchandising support positions in Dubai, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Interior Designer
Mirvac
Brisbane, Queensland
11.2005 - 03.2009
- Directed the decoration and organization of new and existing displays for homes and sales offices while administrating various functions, including creating conceptual designs, fixtures, furniture, and equipment schedules to streamline daily operations
- Spearheaded the design and materials management while accomplishing boards and conceptualizing designs for development
- Established long-lasting business relationships with vendors and suppliers through proactively networking and negotiation.
- Worked closely with team members to deliver project requirements, develop solutions and meet deadlines.
Education
Master of Digital Design (Marketing) -
Griffith University
Brisbane, QLD01.2009
Bachelor of Built Environment (Interior Design) -
Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane, QLD01.2006
Skills
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Project Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Visual Merchandising
- Sales & Negotiation
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Critical and Analytical Skills
- Portal Management
- Contract Negotiation
- Team Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Promotional Calendar Management
- Forecasting & Budgeting
- Leadership
Key Achievements
- Built and developed a ticketing portal onboarding stakeholders resulting in standard ticketing protocols throughout the business.
- Sold and negotiated colored ticketing, retail space and windows to over 50 brands contributing to an increase of 19% of marketing profit target.
- Brand Management of over 175+ beauty brands onboarding them to use the ticketing portal system to buy into 2D printed assets meeting targeted subsidy budgets annually for the business.
- David Jones beauty department refurbishments completed - David Jones Carindale beauty, David Jones Elizabeth St
- OMEGA Project Management of Shop in Shops completed - JR Auckland Airport, Partridges Auckland, Sydney Heinemann Airport, Partridges Christchurch, Hardy Brother Perth, J.Farren Price Adelaide and Monards Gold Coast.
- Spearheaded VM & Brand guidelines distributing to stores to implement standards resulting in strengthening company branding
- Completed VM and Brand Training in Italy, London & New York with Maxmara, Jimmy Choo & Dean & DeLuca gaining new skill set in international techniques across various brands.
References
- References available upon request
- Portfolio showcasing example of work available upon request
Timeline
VM Production Manager
MECCA Brands
08.2022 - 03.2023
National Visual Merchandising Specialist - Beauty
David Jones
08.2017 - 07.2022
Visual Merchandising Manager
OMEGA, The Swatch Group
06.2014 - 08.2017
Regional Visual Merchandising Manager
Maxmara Group, Alyasra
06.2013 - 05.2014
Area Visual Merchandising Manager
H&M, Alshaya Group
02.2012 - 06.2013
Area Visual Merchandising Manager
Dean & Deluca, Alshaya Group
01.2010 - 02.2012
Interior Designer
Mirvac
11.2005 - 03.2009
Master of Digital Design (Marketing) -
Griffith University
Bachelor of Built Environment (Interior Design) -
Queensland University of Technology
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