Benny Thabo Ledwaba
Pretoria,GP
Summary
Talented Visual merchandise manager well-versed in stocking merchandise and planning promotional displays. Demonstrated success in collaborating with store and advertising management to create and deploy successful merchandising strategies for seasonal and promotional needs. Offering 18-year background marketing products within stores to maximize product profitability.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Freelance Visual Merchandiser
Eye Catching VM
Pretoria, Gauteng
08.2020 - Current
- Create and implementation of windows and in store displays.
- Sales floor merchandising into colour themes and lifestyle table merchandising in both clothing and foods stores.
- Advice clients and potential clients on new visual merchandise techniques that will improve customer shopping patterns and increase sales growth
- Developed team communications and information for meetings.
- Actively listened to customers' requests, confirming full understanding before addressing concerns.
- Store layouts change according to customer shopping patterns to maximize sales growth.
- Provide staff workshops on Merchandising skills and techniques, Current trends, seasonal colour themes and word robe building
- Exceeded goals through effective task prioritization and great work ethic.
Military Officer
SANDF
Benoni, Gauteng
04.2020 - Current
- Secured restricted areas and enforced limited access for civilians and military members in order to provide force protection and property security.
- Maintained security of local areas and performed route clearance for visiting high-ranking officials.
- Patrolled perimeters of operating bases to guard against raids, suicide bombers and other attacks on forward areas of operation.
- Patrolled base facilities and housing areas to deter crime, monitor activities and provide force protection.
- Planned crime prevention measures including Operation Notlela and operated military police checkpoints and dispatch centers.
- Manned base entry points to provide 24/7 force protection, reviewing identifications, searching vehicles and verifying deliveries prior to entrance to secure areas.
- Supervised 24-hour police operation, including law enforcement, force prevention and protection, criminal investigations, logistics, civil disturbances, contraband identification and health and safety protocols.
- Monitored gate activities, controlled traffic and responded to emergencies on base.
Visual Merchandising Manager
Woolworths
Pretoria, Gauteng
03.2011 - 08.2020
- Communicated visual merchandising information and standards via in-store training and regular meetings.
- Wrote merchandising guidelines for new product launch kits to keep all teams on same page and effective.
- Ran new product launches with global, cohesive approach focused on delivering recognizable branding and exceeding revenue targets.
- Oversaw visual merchandising for new store openings and store collateral change-outs.
- Managed merchandising standards and maintained consistency across distribution channels.
- Updated pricing and signage to complete product displays and educate customers.
- Restructured company merchandising standards to increase customer traffic and product exposure.
- Developed merchandising strategy to efficiently move overstock.
- Monitored and replenished display inventory and restructured according to available stock.
- Prepared interesting and innovative visual displays to grab customer interest and promote sales.
- Supervised team of up to 30 merchandising employees and monitored adherence to company standards.
- Inspected merchandise for quality and arranged proper display location on floor.
- Created interior displays to promote products in alignment with corporate sales objectives.
- Educated staff about coordinating clothing racks and related displays to boost effectiveness of promotions.
- Promoted seasonal products and trends to move stock and prepare for incoming inventory.
- Completed seasonal windows, dressed mannequins and arranged in-store displays to showcase available products.
Visual Merchandise Department Manager
Woolworths
Nellspruit , Mpumalanga
03.2006 - 03.2011
- Kept all graphics, signage and associated materials current.
- Promoted seasonal products and trends to move stock and prepare for incoming inventory.
- Gathered and analyzed data to assess customer preferences and trends in order to capitalize on current market conditions.
- Supervised team of up to 8 merchandising employees and monitored adherence to company standards.
- Enhanced overall store appearance by applying careful consideration to product and display locations.
- Collaborated with retail department to create effective floor plans for regular use, seasonal lines and special sales.
- Presented store update suggestions and layouts to management and stakeholders.
- Upheld exacting standards store-wide for consistent and successful appeal to customers.
- Created interior displays to promote products in alignment with corporate sales objectives.
- Created build-outs in different store areas to highlight latest trends and current promotions.
- Managed aesthetically pleasing displays to showcase company products and increase sales.
- Monitored and replenished display inventory and restructured according to available stock.
- Prepared interesting and innovative visual displays to grab customer interest and promote sales.
- Worked with managers and advertising directors to optimize promotions.
- Educated staff about coordinating clothing racks and related displays to boost effectiveness of promotions.
- Completed seasonal windows, dressed mannequins and arranged in-store displays to showcase available products.
Management Trainee
Woolworths
Pretoria, Gauteng
03.2005 - 02.2006
- Responded to customer concerns swiftly to maintain satisfaction.
- Established open and professional relationships with team members which facilitated communication, quickly resolving issues and conflicts.
- Monitored employee performance and enacted improvement plans, coordinated disciplinary actions or provided rewards.
- Aligned team actions with company policies and industry standards.
- Planned and implemented team projects to accomplish objectives.
- Shouldered management responsibilities during absence of manager.
- Assisted established management staff with operational oversight, business development and process improvement strategies.
- Created internal control of day-to-day transactions and punctually opened and closed business.
- Resolved escalated concerns using professionalism and understanding of all facets of issue.
- Explained services and products to customers in friendly and engaging way.
Visual Merchandiser
Woolworths
Pretoria, Gauteng
01.2002 - 02.2005
- Worked with managers and advertising directors to optimize promotions.
- Completed seasonal windows, dressed mannequins and arranged in-store displays to showcase available products.
- Enhanced overall store appearance by applying careful consideration to product and display locations.
- Developed merchandising strategy to efficiently move overstock.
- Prepared interesting and innovative visual displays to grab customer interest and promote sales.
- Created interior displays to promote products in alignment with corporate sales objectives.
- Updated pricing and signage to complete product displays and educate customers.
- Monitored and replenished display inventory and restructured according to available stock.
- Educated staff about coordinating clothing racks and related displays to boost effectiveness of promotions.
- Presented store update suggestions and layouts to management and stakeholders.
- Promoted seasonal products and trends to move stock and prepare for incoming inventory.
- Inspected merchandise for quality and arranged proper display location on floor.
- Eliminated downtime and maximized revenue by providing top project quality control.
Customer Service Cashier
Woolworths
Pretoria, Gauteng
11.1998 - 12.2001
- Resolved customer complaints and maintained clean and tidy checkout area.
- Processed accurate and efficient sales and return transactions to facilitate customer satisfaction.
- Counted money in drawers at beginning and end of each shift.
- Maintained customer satisfaction while handling product returns quickly and professionally.
- Maintained reports of transactions and greeted customers when entering and leaving establishment.
- Educated customers on promotions to enhance sales.
- Monitored self-checkout systems and provided assistance or intervention where required.
- Counted cash in register drawer at beginning and end of shift.
- Maintained current knowledge of store promotions and highlighted sales to customers.
- Checked prices for customers and processed items sold by scanning barcodes.
- Mentored new team members on POS system operation, customer service strategies and sales goals.
- Assisted customers with locating and choosing merchandise in any store department.
- Assisted customers by answering questions and fulfilling requests.
- Reconciled cash drawer at start and end of each shift, accounting for errors and resolving discrepancies.
- Worked closely with CS Department Manager to solve problems and handle customer concerns.
- Prepared beverages and filled food orders for customers.
- Checked identification for proof-of-age and refusing alcohol and tobacco sales to underage customers.
- Processed POS transactions, including checks, cash and credit purchases or refunds.
- Used POS system to enter orders, process payments, and issue receipts.
Military Intelligence Officer
SANDF
Potchefstroom , North West
01.1997 - 12.1997
- Produced reports on equipment status, incidences, personnel readiness and intelligence for superiors on daily and weekly basis.
- Advised Intelligence officer on operations, intelligence and risk assessments in daily briefings.
- Patrolled designated coverage areas and evaluated terrain for defensive use.
- Responded to emergencies with speed, efficiency and knowledgeable assistance.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Secured restricted areas and enforced limited access for civilians and military members in order to provide force protection and property security.
- Patrolled base facilities and housing areas to deter crime, monitor activities and provide force protection.
- Investigated security issues involving domestic violence, assault and theft occurring on base among active military members.
- Provided emergency response security, eliminating hazards and potential dangers.
- Monitored gate activities, controlled traffic and responded to emergencies on base.
- Searched vehicles, buildings, and homes for evidence of stolen property.
- Provided security presence by controlling all surveillance technology, including CCTV, security lighting, gate systems.
- Documented and organized security information accurately and efficiently.
- Gathered preliminary investigation information as first responder to crimes on base.
- Implemented emergency issue resolutions to save time and maintain efficiency in response to diverse issues.
Education
Matric
Makgetse High School
Hammanskraal 01.1995 - 12.1995
Introduction To Retail Buying - Business Management
Unisa
Pretoria 01.2005 - 12.2005
Skills
Interior and exterior displays
Timeline
Freelance Visual Merchandiser
Eye Catching VM
08.2020 - Current
Military Officer
SANDF
04.2020 - Current
Visual Merchandising Manager
Woolworths
03.2011 - 08.2020
Visual Merchandise Department Manager
Woolworths
03.2006 - 03.2011
Management Trainee
Woolworths
03.2005 - 02.2006
Introduction To Retail Buying - Business Management
Unisa
01.2005 - 12.2005
Visual Merchandiser
Woolworths
01.2002 - 02.2005
Customer Service Cashier
Woolworths
11.1998 - 12.2001
Military Intelligence Officer
SANDF
01.1997 - 12.1997
Matric
Makgetse High School
01.1995 - 12.1995
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