Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Brendan Johnstone

General Manager
Canowindra ,NSW

Summary

Accomplished General Manager with over 15 years of experience in business leadership, operations management, and board governance. Offers a unique blend of strategic vision, entrepreneurial mindset, and strong business acumen, backed by an excellent educational background. Demonstrates a proven track record of driving organisational strategic direction through innovation, continuous improvement, and effective communication. Collaborative leader with dedication to partnering with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

General Manager

McArdles Corporation
5 2023 - Current
  • Led organisational restructuring to optimise productivity and position the firm for strategic growth
  • Secured new commercial contracts worth over $2M
  • Aligned organisation to focus on high-growth revenue streams
  • Implemented 'factoring' agreements, improving cash flow by 70%
  • Increased employee retention by 30%
  • Boosted customer net promoter score from 5 to 9.50
  • Enhanced employee culture and satisfaction scores from 6 to 9.8
  • Raised revenue in underperforming business units by 25%
  • Reduced operating expenses by 20%
  • Developed high-performing executive team
  • Implemented new workflow software, reducing errors by 15%.

General Manager

Digital Imaging Services Pty Ltd
07.2017 - 05.2023
  • Led group of companies, doubling revenue from $3M to $6M in 5 years
  • Developed innovative product concepts that secured first-to-market advantage
  • Expanded retail operations into New Zealand
  • Lead corporate restructuring to outsource key business functions to India and Indonesia
  • Improved productivity while reducing operating expenses by 30%
  • Managed 6 department heads, overseeing 50 employees across 10 locations in 4 countries
  • Improved accounts receivable collection rates by 45%
  • Implemented customer retention strategies, raising net promoter score from 3.5 to 8.4
  • Managed large-scale redundancies and terminations during COVID
  • Ensured fiscal health and stability through sound financial management
  • Ensured firm-wide legal compliance
  • Guided complex employment law matters and restructuring.

01.2015 - 06.2017
  • Constructed self-sufficient and environmentally sustainable home and hobby farm
  • Started family
  • Continued personal and academic learning journey.

Founder

Imagine That Photography Pty Ltd
11.2012 - 12.2014
  • Secured $5M in venture capital funding
  • Achieved $15M in annual revenue within first 2 years
  • Recruited, supervised, and motivated 110 staff members
  • Managed all department heads, ensuring cross-functional collaboration
  • Served as non-executive board member of Eastmon Group (Parent Company)
  • Reviewed and optimised individual department performance
  • Implemented new market opportunities, ensuring business expansion and strategic execution
  • Created and monitored marketing plans
  • Spearheaded organisational plans with focus on efficiency and execution
  • Established, optimised, and enforced business policies and processes
  • Developed organisation's mission, vision statements, and strategic plan
  • Managed annual budget, ensuring prudent financial management
  • Ensured organisational alignment with company mission and vision
  • Directed technological improvements, reducing waste and improving operational inefficiencies
  • Spearheaded third-party contract negotiations and managed vendor relationships
  • Successfully negotiated buyout proposal for equity by multinational firm.

Head of Business Strategy

Gotcha! Pty Ltd
02.2010 - 10.2012
  • Aligned product offerings with emerging markets, increasing revenue by 4M annually
  • Designed and implemented large-scale manufacturing facility adopting lean manufacturing principles
  • Managed team of over 40 employees
  • Renegotiated key-supplier contracts, reducing overheads by 20%
  • Contributed to corporate restructuring and talent alignment
  • Prioritised tasks, managed projects, and fostered collaborative culture
  • Developed and executed performance enhancement plans
  • Proactively addressed operational challenges for efficiency and risk mitigation.

Education

Bachelor of Business (Management & Employment Relations) -

Griffith University
Brisbane, Australia

Master of Business Administration (MBA) - undefined

Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM)
Sydney, Australia

Skills

  • Strategic Planning and Execution

  • Leadership

  • Governance & Compliance

  • Project & Program Management

  • HR and Employment Relations

  • Operations Management

  • Stakeholder Relations

  • Resource and Budget Management

  • Conflict Resolution

  • Change Management

  • Process Improvement

  • Communication and Negotiation

  • Customer Retention

  • Schedule Management

  • Customer Relationship Management

  • Vendor Sourcing

  • Branding

  • Project Management

  • Advertising and marketing

  • Quality Management

  • Contract Negotiations

  • Financial Administration

  • Workflow Planning

  • Business Administration

  • Operations Oversight

  • Expense Control

  • Process Automation

  • Business Development

  • Supply Chain Management

  • Staff Management

  • Effective leader

  • Cost analysis and savings

  • Change Implementation

  • Inventory Control

  • Team Leadership

  • Training and Development

  • Market Analysis

  • Strategic Planning

  • Marketing

  • Product Development

  • Product Analysis

  • Verbal and written communication

  • Customer Relations

  • Relationship Building

  • Purchasing

  • Time Management

  • Performance Analysis

  • Risk Management

  • Deadline-oriented

  • Efficient multi-tasker

  • Training and coaching

  • Process Improvements

  • Consistently meet goals

  • Staff Development

  • Team Oversight

  • Cost Reductions

  • Total Quality Management

  • Employee Development

  • Interpersonal Skills

  • Staff Training

  • Recruitment

  • Performance Evaluations

  • Sound Judgment

  • Leadership and team building

  • Client Relations

  • New Business Development

  • Skilled negotiator

Websites

Accomplishments

  • Two times recipient of the award for academic excellence (Highest achiever in a unit of study) – Macquarie University 2023/2024.
  • President of the Griffith University Chapter of the Golden Key Academic Honour Society
  • Member of the Griffith University Academic Council.
  • Awarded the Golden Key International Board of Directors Scholarship
  • Received multiple awards for academic excellence at Griffith University.
  • Appointed Academic Tutor at Griffith University’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support Unit.
  • Executive Member of the Griffith Employment Relations and Management Society.
  • Peer Assisted Study Sessions Leader in Business Law, Economics and Australian Politics.

Timeline

General Manager

Digital Imaging Services Pty Ltd
07.2017 - 05.2023

01.2015 - 06.2017

Founder

Imagine That Photography Pty Ltd
11.2012 - 12.2014

Head of Business Strategy

Gotcha! Pty Ltd
02.2010 - 10.2012

General Manager

McArdles Corporation
5 2023 - Current

Bachelor of Business (Management & Employment Relations) -

Griffith University

Master of Business Administration (MBA) - undefined

Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM)

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Brendan JohnstoneGeneral Manager