Alvina Bhikshu Gounden
Senior Area Manager
Johannesburg
Summary
Professional Senior Area Manager with results-driven approach and high standards. Known for effectively leading teams and driving operational improvements. Strong focus on collaboration and adaptability, ensuring reliable performance and flexibility to meet changing demands. Expertise includes strategic planning and team leadership.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Area manager
TFG-Relay Jeans
02.2023 - Current
- Current area R129 million LFY
- Boosting team performance by implementing effective communication and collaboration strategies.
- Overseeing daily, weekly and monthly business reporting and leveraging information to optimize forecasting and future plans for the area.
- Consistently working on reducing employee turnover by fostering a positive work environment and promoting professional development opportunities.
- Defining revenue and sales targets and motivating staff to exceed expectations.
- Tracking KPIs against benchmarking, market trends and competitor activities to develop strategic improvement plans.
- Cultivating a culture of open communication, collaboration and shared accountability for business success.
- Identifying opportunities to increase trade density, new store locations and working across teams such as marketing to make these a success
Senior Area manager
TFG-Exact
08.2018 - 01.2023
- Aligned Operations, Visual Merchandising (VM), and Marketing strategies to drive Rate of Sale, improve profit margins, and consistently achieve area turnover targets.
- Successfully opened new stores within set timelines and managed key assets such as vehicles, mannequins, and VM equipment.
- Ensured stock loss controls and profit improvement initiatives were effectively implemented across all stores.
- Embedded a strong trading culture among store managers, driving ROAM improvements and customer-centric execution at store level.
- Identified and communicated trade-enhancing opportunities to stakeholders, contributing to strategic business change.
- Shared and enforced best practices across compliance, risk, and operational processes in the area.
- Championed a customer-obsessed culture, achieving CSAT and NPS targets through enhanced service standards and VM-led strategies to improve footfall and conversion.
- Delivered impactful training and coaching across stores, focusing on VM principles, technical skills, and brand-aligned trends to build team capability and execution excellence.
- Interpreted brand and product strategies into store-specific action plans, improving basket size and driving operational excellence.
- Contributed to new business planning and ensured all onboarding and VM strategies were executed efficiently and consistently.
- Developed and implemented a robust leadership succession plan, incorporating EE targets, ensuring timely recruitment, and maintaining low vacancy and high engagement across teams.
- Led, coached, and developed a high-performing team of store managers, holding them accountable through Care & Growth principles and fostering collaboration across disciplines to support overall business success.
- Lead by values of trust, good intent, inclusivity, innovation, and accountability, consistently driving business through integrity and high-performance culture.
- Passionate about customer service, resilient in execution, and committed to ethical, respectful, and empowering leadership practices.
- Embrace diversity, encourage equal opportunity, and deliver results through innovation, performance, and strategic focus.
Area manager
Lasenza
04.2017 - 05.2018
- Recruited and onboarded high-performing team members to enhance store sales and operational efficiency.
- Built and maintained a strong internal talent pipeline to ensure readiness for future staffing needs.
- Assessed team capabilities, and implemented individualized coaching plans to drive performance improvement.
- Provided developmental opportunities and strategic assignments to support employee growth and succession planning.
- Delivered consistent feedback and performance management to store leaders, aligning them with business goals.
- • Maintained full regional staffing levels by recruiting proactively ahead of business demands.
- Set clear goals and created a positive, team-oriented work culture focused on collaboration and excellence.
- Motivated and inspired teams by recognizing achievements, and empowering individuals to reach high performance standards.
Floor manager
Foschini Midlands
04.2004 - 06.2005
- Store turnover : R48 million per annum
- Planned and managed staff shifts and lunch/tea rosters to ensure optimal floor coverage.
- Drove departmental sales performance in line with budgeted targets through weekly action planning.
- Implemented and monitored stock loss prevention strategies, ensuring adherence to action plans.
- Oversaw stock receiving, replenishment, and floor merchandising to maintain stock availability.
- Delivered exceptional customer service and led by example in exceeding customer expectations.
- Ensured high housekeeping standards by maintaining a clean, organized, and welcoming store environment.
- Monitored ticketing, adjacencies, and rack alignment to uphold visual merchandising standards.
- Mentored and developed staff, preparing team members for promotion and future leadership roles.
Sales assistant
Foschini Midlands
05.2003 - 04.2004
- Delivered exceptional customer service by assisting shoppers and consistently going the extra mile to meet their needs.
- Maintained accurate stock levels through regular replenishment, receiving, and unpacking of new deliveries.
- Actively contributed to stock loss prevention through vigilant control and adherence to store policies.
- Ensured high visual and operational standards through daily housekeeping, keeping the department clean, neat, and well-presented.
- Managed daily operational tasks, including coordinating the staff tea and lunch roster to support smooth store functioning.
Education
ITHUBA - Training And Development
TFG Courses - Management Program
01-2006
Computer Course
01-2003
Skills
- Operations management
- Staff training and development
- Data-driven decision making
- Time management
- MS office
- Decision-making
- Problem resolution
- Organizational skills
- Market research
Additional Information
Code 8 driving license
Timeline
Senior Area manager
TFG-Relay Jeans
02.2023 - Current
Senior Area manager
TFG-Exact
08.2018 - 01.2023
Area manager
Lasenza
04.2017 - 05.2018
Floor manager
Foschini Midlands
04.2004 - 06.2005
Sales assistant
Foschini Midlands
05.2003 - 04.2004
ITHUBA - Training And Development
TFG Courses - Management Program
Computer Course
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