Alex Ruthen
Leytonstone,London
Summary
Commercial Retail Operations Director with 20 years’ experience, from developing and executing business strategies for start-ups to implementing and embedding successful operational change programmes. Experience spans luxury brands to owner/managed organisations. Possesses strong leadership skills gained across the global retail market which is combined with energy and passion for the industry. Strong product focus across premium apparel and footwear and accessories.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work history
Group Operations Director
Titan Entertainment
03.2022 - 10.2024
- Implemented strategic change during challenging economic period of uncertainly
- Delivered record sales in company history (44 years)
- Expanded brand profile by partnering with global licensors such as Amazon and Disney
- Streamlined operational efficiency to drive record unit sales through the logistics infra structure
- Increased profitability via commercial management of stock package and inventory ownership.
Senior Consultant - Freelance
01.2021 - 03.2024
- Launched Urban Elements sneaker cleaning products into the UK market partnering German parent company
- Partnered with pioneering AI company to optimise customer web experience with market leading retailers.
Head of Global Retail – Dance apparel and footwear
BLOCH
11.2019 - 01.2021
- Implemented weekly trade review meetings focusing on all Omni channel KPIs including web conversion, click through and social impressions
- Synchronized marketing calendar with all trading channels and social platforms to ensure seamless customer experience
- Critically evaluated store portfolio and potential future markets to stimulate omni channel growth
- Store concept / creative development and ownership of all Visual Merchandising
- Launched appraisal goals, store incentives and training process.
Head of Retail
Ben Sherman Europe
03.2019 - 11.2019
- Responsible for the European P&L: 5 Full Price standalone stores including London flagship, 15 Outlet stores across the UK
- Responsible for all European events and marketing calendar in partnership with the marketing team to drive both revenues and brand awareness across all channels
- Managed weekly trade process and tactical trading actions both in bricks and mortar stores and e-commerce
- Streamlined all business communication and task planning
- Re-engaged management team, setting and monitoring all business objectives
- Responsible for H&S.
Head of Retail Operations
Pretty Green
02.2015 - 03.2019
- Responsible for the P&L of 13 Full Price, 19 HoFs and 1 outlet stores and the growth of the UK business
- Optimised store portfolio by increasing linear density through fixture re-design and deployment
- Re-engaged store management and area management team through collaborative goals setting, coaching and incentive scheme
- Responsible for the marketing & events calendar, working with bands, external companies and venues to raise brand profile.
Commercial Operations Director
Calvin Klein (Amsterdam)
04.2013 - 02.2015
- Responsible for the profitability of 54 Full price and 89 Outlet stores in 15 European countries with a total of 20K SQM FY13 turnover of 222M sales
- Managed the SS14 outlet buy in partnership with former License partner Warnaco
- Responsible for business reporting to the senior management team and US global HQ
- Influenced the creation of new Full Price and Outlet store concepts
- Reviewed profitability of the estate with recommendations for closure of non-profitable stores
- Standardised store unit capacities to drive product availability to size level.
Retail Operations Director
Ralph Lauren Factory Outlets
01.2006 - 03.2013
- Responsible for the Retail Operation and Real Estate of 40 standalone stores across 12 countries, business Sales growth from $230 million to $430 million in 5 years
- Responsible for the delivery of the Operations strategy at the annual conference to all management, managing the follow up of all goals with clear KPI reporting to minimize risk throughout the year.
Retail Operations Manager
Ralph Lauren Factory Outlets
01.2006 - 06.2009
- Responsible for the Retail Operation of 19 stores across 8 European countries, business Sales growth from 50 million to 230 million Euros, supporting 4 district managers with one direct report
- Managed all tactical trading communication to the stores each week and implemented all trading and task calendars
- Compiled all business reporting and KPIs including: sales, Gross Margin, Traffic, Conversion, Return on visit, Shrink, MOS, unit capacities and sell through.
Project Manager
Spitalfields Housing Development Services
06.2005 - 10.2005
- Managed all contractors for the client including architects, surveyors and construction companies
- Built relationships with planning department on all new build projects
- Managed sales of shared ownership projects.
Operations Controller
Mexx Factory Outlets Europe
08.2002 - 06.2005
- Responsible for the Retail Operations for 52 stores across 9 European countries and 600 employees, business sales growth from 10 million to 52 million Euros in 3 years
- Supported 6 country managers and one direct report
- Managed daily and weekly communications from corporate to stores
- Managed Repairs and Maintenance budget and all associated vendors and standards.
Education
BA Degree (combined hons) - English Literature and Sociology
09.1997 - 7 2000
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- PRINCE 2 Project Management, Certified Practitioner
- Neuro Linguistic Programming and Coaching – Certified Practitioner
- Certified Mediation Practitioner
Skills
- Global retail strategy and operations
- Highly commercial and KPI driven
- OMNI channel customer experience leadership
- P&L management and profit focused
- Inspirational team leadership from the front
Affiliations
Associate member of the Chartered Institute for IT
Timeline
Group Operations Director - Titan Entertainment
03.2022 - 10.2024
Senior Consultant - Freelance -
01.2021 - 03.2024
Head of Global Retail – Dance apparel and footwear - BLOCH
11.2019 - 01.2021
Head of Retail - Ben Sherman Europe
03.2019 - 11.2019
Head of Retail Operations - Pretty Green
02.2015 - 03.2019
Commercial Operations Director - Calvin Klein (Amsterdam)
04.2013 - 02.2015
Retail Operations Director - Ralph Lauren Factory Outlets
01.2006 - 03.2013
Retail Operations Manager - Ralph Lauren Factory Outlets
01.2006 - 06.2009
Project Manager - Spitalfields Housing Development Services
06.2005 - 10.2005
Operations Controller - Mexx Factory Outlets Europe
08.2002 - 06.2005
- BA Degree (combined hons), English Literature and Sociology
09.1997 - 7 2000
Custom
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- MBTI
- PLP
- Emergenetics
Custom
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- MBTI
- PLP
- Emergenetics
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