ROBERT MICHAEL TAYLOR.

Profile for Robert Taylor

I have worked in the Retail industry for the last 15 years since finishing my degree, with the last 10 years being within Multi Site Management and Management positions. Although, not desperately looking for another position. I hold your company in such high regard that I felt I would forward my details for your consideration for the position of Regional Director. I am a first class communicator at all levels who firmly believes in customer service excellence. My management style is firm but fair and I gain most of my reward through seeing others develop their career. I am an extremely hard working individual who is extremely ambitious and due to my presentation and professionalism, I would be an ideal ambassador for any company.

Career History

June 99 to date Promoted to - Regional Controller - High Fashion Limited

As part of a 4 man team reporting to the Retail Operations Director I have full strategic and P & L responsibility for a region within the South East containing 105 stores with a combined annual turnover in excess of £120M with approx. 950 staff. I am also a member of the Cross Functional Development Committee working with all other departments such as Merchandising, HR and Training, Buying, Marketing and Security to ensure that all departments work together effectively to ensure the smooth implementation of the companies overall business plan. My main responsibility is the recruitment, training, motivation, appraisal and development of a team of 7 Area Managers and their management staff to ensure effective succession planning

Key achievements

1) Sales - +5% ahead of target against company average of +3% and +12% LFL, profit contribution +7% LFL year to date

2) Costs - managed well below budget and below company average

3) Shrinkage - reduced from 2.2% across the are to 0.9%

4) Decreased labour turnover on the area from 60% to 30%

5) Developed 1 Area Manager to Regional Controller and 2 Managers to Area Manager and 1 Area Manager to a Senior Project role within Head Office. I have not lost any Area Managers to outside companies since taking over the position

6) In the last financial year I was the top performing Regional Controller within the company and the only Regional Controller to sit on the Cross Functional

7) Mystery shopper results consistently above the company target

Jan 96 to June 99 promoted to - Area Manager - High Fashion Limited

As part of a 6 man regional team reporting to the Regional Controller I was responsible for an area in London containing 20 stores with a combined turnover in excess of £28M through the effective recruitment, training, motivation, appraisal and development of a management team and their staff to ensure effective succession planning. I was also seconded for 6 months to work on a new store opening programme during a time of huge expansion.

Key achievements

1) Sales - 1st year +11% LFL, 3% ahead of target and in the 2nd year I was the 2nd top performing Area Manager out of 21 Area Managers with a LFL sales increase of 18%, +9% against target

2) Costs -were always managed well within budget finishing top on cost savings out of 21 Area Managers in my second year

3) Shrinkage - In 2 years I reduced shrinkage from 1.5% to 0.8% and came 3rd in the second year out of 21 Area Managers

4) Developed 2 Store Manager to Area Managers and promoted 3 Assistant Managers to Store Managers position. Decreased the labour turnover on the area from 70% to 35% in 2 years

5) Seconded to open 15 new stores from scratch in a 6 month period

6) Mystery shopper results never below 93% against company target of 90%

Dec 94 to Jan 96 Store Manager - High Fashion Limited

I had full day to day and P & L responsibility for the companies flagship store on Oxford Street with an annual turnover in excess of £6M, 15,000 Sq Ft with approx 75 staff. During this time I also covered in the Area Managers absence for the London region and developed 2 Assistant Managers into their own stores. In 2 years I increased sales by over 24%.

Oct 92 to Jan 96 Store Manager - Medium Fashion Limited

I had full P & L responsibility for the store in Guildford with a turnover in excess of £2M with approx 25 staff trading from 7,000 Sq Ft

Aug 91 to Oct 92 Promoted to Store Manager - Medium Fashion Limited

I had full P & L responsibility for the store in Croydon with a turnover in excess of £1.2M with approx 12 staff trading from 4,000 Sq Ft

Jun 89 to Aug 91 Assistant Manager - High Jewellery Limited

Working with and deputising for the Store Manager responsible for a store in Guildford with an annual turnover in excess of £790k with approx 10 staff trading from 3,000 Sq Ft

Education

BA (Hons) ii:i in History and Politics - Leeds University

10 x O levels - Croydon Comprehensive

3 x A levels - Croydon Comprehensive

Professional courses

Time Management

Retail Skills 1

Retail skills 2

Train the Trainer

Selling skills 1

Selling skills 2

Merchandising for impact

Managing Managers

Health and Safety

DOB

30th of January 1966

Marital status

Driving licence

Full clean driving licence

References

Superb references available on request. Please do not take up any references from current employer without prior consent

Address

Caymen House

Smyte Lane

Guildford

GU21 4FD

Contact details

Telephone :0208 854 4455

Fax :0208 854 2266

E-mail :Robert@caymenhouse.co.uk