Verina Vermeulen
Bloemfontein
Summary
Accomplished retail professional with extensive experience in store management, currently self-employed in Bloemfontein. Demonstrates strong leadership, strategic thinking, and financial management skills, having successfully managed store operations at Queenspark and Beauty Factory. Proven track record in enhancing customer service standards, reducing stock loss, and achieving sales targets through effective team coaching and innovative merchandising strategies. Adept at fostering a culture of excellence and developing retail strategies to maintain a competitive edge. Career goal: to leverage expertise in retail management to drive business growth and operational efficiency.
Overview
2
2
Languages
1
1
Certification
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Self employed
Self employed
Bloemfontein
01.2024 - Current
Store Manager
Queenspark
Bloemfontein
04.2017 - 12.2023
- Managed day-to-day store operations, including stock levels, staff rotas, and customer service standards.
- Managed store budget, controlling expenses to ensure financial targets were met.
- Secured stock in designated areas to prevent damage and loss. and securely to maintain quality of goods.
- Oversaw inventory management, reducing stock loss through effective control measures.
- Actioned customer feedback to improve product and service provisions.
- Merchandised displays to showcase new and popular items.
- Prepared detailed reports on store performance, presenting findings to senior management for strategic planning.
- Coached employees on upselling techniques, significantly increasing average transaction value.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, setting objectives and targets for individual team members.
- Hired and trained staff for optimum performance against sales and marketing objectives.
- Analysed sales data to identify trends, forecast demand, and adjust product ordering accordingly.
- Achieved sales targets by identifying new customer acquisition strategies. by seeking opportunities for operational expansion and new customer acquisition.
- Implemented theft prevention measures to reduce store losses.
- Implemented visual merchandising strategies to enhance product visibility and drive sales.
- Collaborated with HR to recruit, interview, and hire new staff, ensuring a high level of team capability.
- Recruited motivated, personable staff to deliver outstanding customer care.
- Held regular meetings with trade staff to delegate tasks, communicate market trends, sales KPIs and priorities.
- Implemented health and safety protocols to ensure a safe shopping environment for customers and staff.
- Fostered a culture of excellence, inspiring staff to exceed customer expectations and achieve sales objectives.
- Developed retail strategies with seasonal changes and implementation plans for deployment teams.
- Monitored competitor activity, adapting strategies to maintain a competitive edge in the market.
- Coordinated promotional events to increase customer footfall and promote new product launches.
- Developed and maintained relationships with local businesses to boost community engagement and store profile.
- Enforced team compliance with health and safety requirements to maintain standards.
- Managed finances by controlling budgets and authorising expenditures.
- Devised promotional offers and discounts to peak customer interest.
- Streamlined operational procedures, reducing time spent on administrative tasks and enhancing efficiency.
- Formulated marketing and promotional strategies to drive business revenue.
- Determined optimal mix and levels of stock to meet demand and minimise costs.
- Established budgets for specific projects and teams and controlled costs.
- Utilised CRM systems to gather customer feedback, using insights to improve service and product range.
Store Manager
Beauty Factory
Bloemfontein
10.2010 - 03.2017
- Managed day-to-day store operations, including stock levels, staff rotas, and customer service standards.
- Handled customer complaints, offering resolutions that maintained satisfaction and loyalty.
- Managed store budget, controlling expenses to ensure financial targets were met.
- Stored stock safely and securely to maintain quality of goods.
- Oversaw inventory management, reducing stock loss through effective control measures.
- Actioned customer feedback to improve product and service provisions.
- Coached employees on upselling techniques, significantly increasing average transaction value.
- Prepared detailed reports on store performance, presenting findings to senior management for strategic planning.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, setting objectives and targets for individual team members.
- Hired and trained staff for optimum performance against sales and marketing objectives.
- Implemented visual merchandising strategies to enhance product visibility and drive sales.
- Collaborated with HR to recruit, interview, and hire new staff, ensuring a high level of team capability.
- Held regular meetings with trade staff to delegate tasks, communicate market trends, sales KPIs and priorities.
- Recruited motivated, personable staff to deliver outstanding customer care.
- Implemented health and safety protocols to ensure a safe shopping environment for customers and staff.
- Fostered a culture of excellence, inspiring staff to exceed customer expectations and achieve sales objectives.
- Monitored competitor activity, adapting strategies to maintain a competitive edge in the market.
- Developed retail strategies with seasonal changes and implementation plans for deployment teams.
- Coordinated promotional events to increase customer footfall and promote new product launches.
- Developed and maintained relationships with local businesses to boost community engagement and store profile.
- Enforced team compliance with health and safety requirements to maintain standards.
- Managed finances by controlling budgets and authorising expenditures.
- Devised promotional offers and discounts to peak customer interest.
Store Manager
Claires Busby Retail
Bloemfontein
01.2008 - 09.2010
- Managed day-to-day store operations, including stock levels, staff rotas, and customer service standards.
- Handled customer complaints, offering resolutions that maintained satisfaction and loyalty.
- Actioned customer feedback to improve product and service provisions.
- Managed store budget, controlling expenses to ensure financial targets were met.
- Stored stock safely and securely to maintain quality of goods.
- Oversaw inventory management, reducing stock loss through effective control measures.
- Prepared detailed reports on store performance, presenting findings to senior management for strategic planning.
- Coached employees on upselling techniques, significantly increasing average transaction value.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, setting objectives and targets for individual team members.
- Hired and trained staff for optimum performance against sales and marketing objectives.
- Analysed sales data to identify trends, forecast demand, and adjust product ordering accordingly.
- Implemented theft prevention measures to reduce store losses.
- Hit sales targets by seeking opportunities for operational expansion and new customer acquisition.
- Implemented visual merchandising strategies to enhance product visibility and drive sales.
- Collaborated with HR to recruit, interview, and hire new staff, ensuring a high level of team capability.
- Held regular meetings with trade staff to delegate tasks, communicate market trends, sales KPIs and priorities.
- Recruited motivated, personable staff to deliver outstanding customer care.
- Implemented health and safety protocols to ensure a safe shopping environment for customers and staff.
- Fostered a culture of excellence, inspiring staff to exceed customer expectations and achieve sales objectives.
- Enforced team compliance with health and safety requirements to maintain standards.
- Managed finances by controlling budgets and authorising expenditures.
Sales Assistant
Claires Busby Retail
Bloemfontein
11.2006 - 12.2007
- Assisted customers in selecting products, offering detailed advice to meet their needs.
- Kept shelves neat, clean and organised through visual merchandising.
- Handled customer enquiries, providing prompt responses to questions about products and services.
- Assisted customers in locating products and provided detailed information to enhance shopping experience.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve sales targets and contribute to store success.
Education
Certificate of Higher Education - Senior Certificate Grade 12
Highschool Fichardpark
Bloemfontein01-2004
Skills
- Leadership
- Planning
- Delegation
- Admin
- Coaching
- Interpersonal Skills
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Organization
- Conflict resolution
- Strategic thinking
- Decision-making
- Customer service
- Financial Management
- Employee Training and development
Languages
Afrikaans
Advanced
C1
English
Advanced
C1
Certification
- Front-and Backoffice Certificate
- Industrial Relations Certificate
- Most Loyal Manager of the Year Certificate
- Best Corporate of the Year Certificate
- Best Growth on sales Certificate
- Excel 2013 Certificate
- First Aid Certificate
- Health and Safety Certificate
- Managing for results Certificate
- Leading Performance Certificate
- Management Certificate
- Competency Based Recruitment and Selection
- Certificates of Performance: Achieved Approval Target +600% Feb 2022, Achieved Submission Target +300% June 2022, Achieved Submission Target 300% July 2022, Achieved Highest approvals +600% Aug 2022, Achieved Highest Approvals +700% Sept 2022, Achieved Highest Approvals 500% Oct 2022.
Timeline
Self employed
Self employed
01.2024 - Current
Store Manager
Queenspark
04.2017 - 12.2023
Store Manager
Beauty Factory
10.2010 - 03.2017
Store Manager
Claires Busby Retail
01.2008 - 09.2010
Sales Assistant
Claires Busby Retail
11.2006 - 12.2007
Certificate of Higher Education - Senior Certificate Grade 12
Highschool Fichardpark