Lester Muller
Retail Manager
Cape Town,WC
Summary
Energetic and productive with ability to thrive in customer-focused, fast-paced environment. Accomplished Retail Manager skilled at building atmosphere of collaboration and performance excellence to provide every customer with exceptional experiences and promote brand loyalty. Effectively oversee and align processes with dynamic conditions while increasing efficiency and maximizing profits. Motivational leader skilled at building relationships with customers, employees and senior management.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
year of post-secondary education
Work History
Receiving Manager
Pick n Pay
Cape Town
03.1995 - 07.2010
- Boosted inventory and recordkeeping accuracy by conducting thorough inspections and comparing shipment contents with documentation.
- Gathered and processed merchandise returns.
- Managed inbound receiving departments.
- Verified deliveries against paperwork and contacted vendors to resolve discrepancies.
- Unloaded, sorted and stored incoming merchandise.
- Set and enforced proactive inspection and maintenance schedules to keep equipment in good operational condition.
- Completed timely and accurate daily logs to keep internal reporting accurate and effectively track materials movements.
- Daily checks for dummy stacking and missing products
- No invoice leaves unless it's signed by both parties
- Kept all documentation and records accurate and up-to-date with latest data to prevent errors in processing or delivery.
Assistant Customer Service Manager
Pick n Pay
Cape Town
03.1995 - 07.2010
- Devised and deployed successful approaches to retain customers and boost brand loyalty.
- Conducted training and mentored team members to promote productivity, accuracy and commitment to friendly service.
- Conferred with customers about concerns with products or services to resolve problems and drive sales.
- Described and explained details about Product or Service options to inform customers and guide purchasing decisions.
- Helped average of 5-10 customers every day by approaching conversations with positive attitude and focus on customer satisfaction.
- Responded to customer requests for products, services and company information.
- Provided primary customer support to internal and external customers in fast-paced environment.
- Offered advice and assistance to customers, paying attention to special needs or wants.
Fresh Food Produce Manager
Massmart / Cambridge Food
Cape Town, CA
09.2017 - 01.2020
- Organized efficient merchandise replenishment strategies to keep shelves stocked and well-organized for customers.
- Assisted customers with produce questions.
- Priced produce to achieve margin and sales goals.
- Maintained produce area and kept produce storage area clean and sanitary.
- Negotiated with suppliers for favorable prices, terms, quality, and delivery.
- Evaluated suppliers by assessing quality, timeliness and compliance of deliveries to maintain tight cost controls and maximize business operational efficiency.
- Strengthened profits by reducing waste, controlling shrinkage and increasing team efficiency with optimized workflows.
- Coached and mentored new team members.
- Selected items for specials and marked down items as needed to reduce losses.
- Planned attractive produce displays, using color and texture to enhance.
- Kept department equipment in working order and advised store manager of equipment repair or replacement needs.
- Maintained produce display, and prep and storage areas in clean and orderly condition.
Assistant Store Manager
Massmart Cambridge Food
Cape Town
09.2017 - 01.2020
- Applied performance data to evaluate and improve operations, target current business conditions and forecast needs.
- Set effective store schedules based on forecasted customer levels, individual employee knowledge and service requirements.
- Trained and managed associates in customer service and sales techniques.
- Developed innovative and creative merchandise displays to drive point-of-sale purchases.
- Managed scheduling for store shifts to accomplish proper staffing at all times.
- Upheld and communicated store programs and standards to employees for optimal quality, freshness, safety and cleanliness.
- Managed inventory control, cash control and store opening and closing procedures.
- Protected store from loss or theft by setting and enforcing clear security policies.
- Rotated stock to achieve optimum appeal and minimize shrinkage.
- Approved regular payroll submissions for employees within the given budget
- Minimized on-site cash with frequent deposits and high accuracy in predicting operations.
- Kept inventories accurate with daily cycle counts and resolve variances
- Maintained proper product levels and inventory controls for all merchandise and organized backroom to facilitate effective ordering and stock rotation.
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
- Maximized sales and minimized shrinkage through excellent customer service and adherence to standard practices.
- Build creative displays to maximise sales
- Merchandise high GP% products in high traffic areas
- Put high focus on dormant stock
Assistant Store Manager
Checkout
Cape Town, CA
02.2017 - 09.2017
- Manage all operational controls including logistics
- Manage operational functions within competitive FMCG Environment
- Ensure correct merchandising standards are met with displays and products
- Manage the store marketing, branding and promotions
- Manage and conduct disciplinary hearings
- Manage store housekeeping
- Health and safety standards
- Create awareness amongst staff for the need for superior customer service
- Create positive working environment for employees
- Create enthusiasm amongst store associates through effective HR Management
- Provided weekly work schedules to employees to accommodate business demands and vacation requests.
- Maintained positive customer relationships by responding quickly to customer service inquiries.
- Implemented theft prevention policies to minimize potential stock loss.
- Reduced company expenditures and met budget targets by closely monitoring, tracking and controlling expenses.
- Directed merchandising, promotion and brand loyalty efforts for business segment with greatest sales volume.
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
- Walked through store areas every morning to identify and proactively resolve issues negatively impacting operations.
Sales Manager
Shoprite Group of Companies
Cape Town
04.2014 - 01.2017
- Monitored customer buying trends, market conditions and competitor actions to adjust strategies and achieve sales goals.
- Managed order cycle to enhance business development and maintain sustainability and customer satisfaction.
- Coached employees and trained on methods for handling various aspects of sales, complicated issues and difficult customers.
- Strengthened merchandising and promotional strategies to drive customer engagement and boost sales.
- Managed day-to-day staffing and handled scheduling for all store employees.
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Tightened security around store to reduce shrink and alleviate theft.
- Maintained company's visual merchandise standards through general housekeeping
- Provided strong service to customers, increasing customer loyalty
Education
High School Diploma -
Ocean View Secondary High School
Ocean View 01.1997 - 12.1997
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Skills
Order management
Relationship building and management
Staff Management
Customer experience
Customer Relations
New-Hire Training
Vendor management
Employee scheduling
Operations
Staff Scheduling
Training
Stock management
Human resource policies
Staff supervision
Product and service sales
Quote
THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS TO START BEFORE YOU ARE READY
* Positive mind
* Positive vibes
* Positive life
Timeline
Fresh Food Produce Manager
Massmart / Cambridge Food
09.2017 - 01.2020
Assistant Store Manager
Massmart Cambridge Food
09.2017 - 01.2020
Assistant Store Manager
Checkout
02.2017 - 09.2017
Sales Manager
Shoprite Group of Companies
04.2014 - 01.2017
High School Diploma -
Ocean View Secondary High School
01.1997 - 12.1997
Receiving Manager
Pick n Pay
03.1995 - 07.2010
Assistant Customer Service Manager
Pick n Pay
03.1995 - 07.2010