ARNAUD BLANCHARD
Category Manager
PARIS,France
Summary
Passionate and goal driven Category and Manager with 8 years experience in Purchasing, Category and Marketing management. An entrepreneurial mindset and business appetite are fueled by a strong taste for products, data analysis, team effort and performance. Seek for a dynamic and enthusiastic team to evolve with and make a difference.
Main areas of expertise relate to Category Management, Product Development, Digital Marketing, Merchandising, Sourcing and Leadership.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
CATEGORY MANAGER
Leroy Merlin - ADEO South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Johannesburg, South Africa
06.2017 - Current
- Initiated and Developed Category in unconquered market
- Maximized category turnover through proactive management strategies
- Exceeded Turnover and growth expectation in very competitive environment (+25% TO and +50% growth year on year so far)
- Monitored market to capitalize on latest trends
- Visited supplier offices and plants to investigate facilities and capacity to meet quality requirements, specifications and delivery dates
- Researched, prepared for and led supplier negotiation process for managed category
- Enhanced profitability to achieve marketing objectives and drive productivity and growth from concept to implementation by implementing successful strategies and commercial activities
- Developed creative presentations, trend reports, kitted assets, and product data sheets
- Drove marketing efforts by orchestrating Online and Offline advertising campaigns
- Mentored local personnel on best practices and protocols to maximize productivity
- Captured new customers by optimizing business strategies and launching products to diversify offerings
- Continually maintained and improved company's reputation and positive image in markets served
- Evaluated consumer preferences and behaviors, combined with market trends and historical data, to adjust and enhance campaigns
- Developed analytical and reporting tools to measure performance of category
- Developed IT tools to fulfill needs of local market
- Developed content adapted to Category (pedagogies, tutorials, training content for store teams…)
PROJECT BUYER
OTV Sud Afrique & Veolia Water Industry
Marseille & Johannesburg, France
01.2014 - 05.2017
- Managed Procurement of multiple projects in across Africa
- Drafted and Negotiated contracts and Subcontract agreements covering all needs to achieve projects.
- Identified and defined scope of work with engineering team
- Sourced new vendors in effort to boost competitiveness while reducing costs through strategic contract negotiations
- Adjudicated offers and provided best solutions to engineering team
- Negotiated of contracts and subcontracts terms
- Understood in depth technical aspects of products and relevance to project need
- Collaborated with internal customers: Project Managers, Engineering, Finance to guarantee completion of projects within best time frame and with optimal profitability
- Successfully completed 6 projects in South Africa
- Delivered exceptional level of service to each customer by listening to concerns and answering questions
- Actively listened to internal customers requests, handled concerns quickly and solved them to guarantee satisfaction for all parties
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed
- Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule
INDUSTRIAL BUYER
STMicroelectronics
Tours, France
09.2012 - 12.2013
- Main Buyer for innovative project "Flexible micro batteries".
- Performed market studies, Supplier Data Mapping & Risk Analysis for project
- Understood in depth technical aspects of products and relevance to project need to deliver best performance and satisfaction to project and team
- Sourced new vendors in effort to boost competitiveness while reducing costs through strategic contract negotiations
- Collaborated with internal customers: Project Managers, Engineering, Finance to guarantee completion of projects within best time frame and with optimal profitability
- Adjudicated offers and provided best solutions to engineering team
- Negotiated and implemented 10 general agreements with suppliers to increase economical performance.
- Coordinated supplier relationships and strategies within designated supply chain.
- Analyzed sales & Built Forecasts for more than 10 different commodities
- Delivered exceptional level of service to each customer by listening to concerns and answering questions
- Actively listened to internal customers requests, handled concerns quickly and solved them to guarantee satisfaction for all parties
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed
- Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule
Education
Specialized Master - Purchasing Management
Grenoble Business School
Grenoble, France 09.2012 - 12.2013
Master of Science - Business Management, Marketing, Finance
IAE Angers - School of Management
Angers, France 09.2010 - 12.2012
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Marketing & Economics
Angers University
Angers, France 09.2007 - 07.2010
Skills
Category development
Performance Optimization
Market Analysis
Market Positioning
Strategic planning
Product development
Data analysis
Strategic Sourcing
Micro & Macro Merchandising
MS Excel
MS Powerpoint
Supplier Relationship Management
Leadership
Analytics-based decision making
Project Management
Additional Information
I am available within a month and can start my new mission anywhere in France, at a workplace or working remotely.
Timeline
CATEGORY MANAGER
Leroy Merlin - ADEO South Africa (Pty) Ltd
06.2017 - Current
PROJECT BUYER
OTV Sud Afrique & Veolia Water Industry
01.2014 - 05.2017
INDUSTRIAL BUYER
STMicroelectronics
09.2012 - 12.2013
Specialized Master - Purchasing Management
Grenoble Business School
09.2012 - 12.2013
Master of Science - Business Management, Marketing, Finance
IAE Angers - School of Management
09.2010 - 12.2012
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Marketing & Economics
Angers University
09.2007 - 07.2010