Hi, I’m
Gemma Murphy
Canvey Island,Essex
Don't you dare underestimate the power of your own instinct.
Barbara Corcoran
Summary
Proficient Store Manager dedicated to hiring top-notch sales associates and maintaining smooth, efficient and highly successful store operations. Organized and effective at encouraging staff cooperation and productivity to meet and exceed objectives. Born leader and analytical problem-solver with proven team building and management success. Adept at multi-tasking, leading group discussions and managing projects.
Overview
28
years of professional experience
8
years of post-secondary education
1
Certification
Work history
Marks & SpencerRayleigh, Essex
Store manager
07.2017 - Current
Job overview
- Have worked in all areas of M&S from C&H to Foods to Hospitality
- Store Manager roles since 2020
- Deputy Store Manager roles from 2017-2020
- Completed Future Leaders Programme Build as the businesses first cohort 2022
- Ran the regions COVID Rapid Response Team dealing with furlough, sickness and ensuring all stores in the region had staffing
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and onboarding store staff.
- Provided excellent customer care through prompt complaint resolution and quality of service.
- Analysed daily and weekly sales results and maintained ongoing, productive dialogue with area manager and peers on sales performance.
- Stocked and restocked inventory upon delivery receipt, maintaining accurate supply records.
- Challenged and inspired team members to achieve business results.
- Oversaw business staffing and training, building successful, customer-focused team.
- Led regular staff performance reviews to provide guidance and support for individual development.
- Set SMART goals for store team, developing staff abilities and increasing sales performance.
- Optimised store performance through continuous evaluation of existing processes and identifying improvement opportunities.
- Maximised profitability through efficient budgeting and identified opportunities for growth.
- Exceeded sales targets consistently by assisting customers in selecting and purchasing merchandise.
- Created seasonal sales plans with varying stock and promotional strategies.
- Understood what drives overall business success and prioritised and delivered quality results.
- Enforced service standards to maintain establishment reputation for excellence.
- Solicited customer feedback to understand customer needs and constantly improve product offerings.
- Built brand loyalty by promoting company loyalty schemes, hosting events and engaging with repeat customers.
- Upheld positive and proactive approach to challenges, using initiative and demonstrating commitment and flexibility.
- Enforced licensing laws, health and safety regulations and all regulatory guidelines and legislation at all events.
- Kept awareness of competitor activity and developed ideas to promote store.
House of FraserLondon, City of London
Department sales manager
05.2015 - 07.2017
Job overview
- Turnover £25mil Flagship Store 2 floor department - Responsible for 28 Concessions and 6 House Brands
- Management of 4 managers and 40+ staff as well as 80+ concession staff on a daily basis to achieve KPIs and good customer service
- Networked and built relationships with Concession Area Managers and met on a monthly basis with each to discuss trade, stocks, people etc
- Brand Partner meetings on a monthly basis with Concession managers
- Liaised with the Regional VM to discuss store layout and proposition which was then rolled out company wide
- Managed store promotional activity to maximise full price sell through
- Managed payroll to ensure budgets were kept and coverage for department was maintained especially during key eventing seasons
- Proactively developed and contributed to the Store Succession plan by recruiting a Sales Manager, Deputy Sales Manager, numerous Brand Specialists and Sales Advisors for not only my department but the store in general
- Was responsible for conducting investigations, disciplinaries and hearing grievances for not only my store but other stores in the London area
- Completed LEAD @ HOF in Feb 2016
- Mastercard Expert for 1 year
- Service Champion for 1 year
Evans Arcadia GroupBluewater Shopping Centre, Kent
Flagship store manager
09.2008 - 05.2015
Job overview
- Worked in Evans for 7 years in a number of stores but spent 4 years as Flagship Store Manger in Bluewater
- Project Managed the 10 month re-site project within Bluewater
- During the project; liaised with key stakeholders within the business including directors, site managers, visual merchandisers, stock controllers and HR to achieve the newest concept store of the company (Nov 2013)
- Showcased new store to Phillip Green and stakeholders of the Arcadia Group
- Created a business plan of pop up shops and ran this alongside the new store project and amassed £100k profit which was then rolled out to other sites across the business
- Won Store Manager of the Year 2014
- People Expert for the region which included duties such as recruitment for management, store induction for all levels of Head Office and new Mangers to the business.
- Disciplinaries and Investigations across the region
- Held the region in the Area Mangers absence including days off and holidays
- Training and Development for all managers including taking an active role in Regional meetings, creating breakfast catch ups and 1:1 training with managers visiting stores to help them on an individual basis
- Highly involved in Model Store set up and concept for both Summer and Christmas set up working with visual leads which was then rolled out to the rest of the company
Wallis Arcadia GroupLakeside Shopping Centre , Essex
Deputy Store manager
07.2003 - 09.2008
Job overview
- Worked in the business for 7 years starting as a Supervisor then completed the Achieve Stepping into Management course
- Deputy Store Manager Lakeside - Won Team of the Year 2005
- Store Manager Basildon 2007
- Store Manager Beckton 2008-2009
Adams ChildrenswearSouthend-on-Sea, Essex
Store manager
07.1996 - 07.2003
Job overview
- Worked here whilst completing my education
- Became a Supervisor when I was at University and would be holiday cover across the South East during the holidays
- 2002 Store Manager of Southend store
Education
University of NorthamptonNorthampton
Bachelor of Science from English Literature and History
09.2000 - 07.2003
Furtherwick Park Sixth FormCanvey Island, Essex
A-Levels from Law
09.1998 - 05.2000
Furtherwick Park Sixth FormCanvey Island, Essex
A-Levels from History
09.1998 - 05.2000
Furtherwick Park Sixth FormCanvey Island, Essex
A-Levels from English Literature and Language
09.1998 - 05.2000
Furtherwick Park SchoolCanvey Island
GCSEs from 12 GCSEs
Skills
- Analytical Skills
- Relationship Management
- Performance Management
- Operational planning
- Exceptional leader
- Business development strategy
- Strategic Planning
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Problem Solving
- Networking
- Commercial Management
- Presentation Skills
- Training and Development
- HR Investigations/Disciplinaries
- Customer-focused
- Leadership
Certification
DPS Licence Holder
Affiliations
- Swimming 2-3 days a week
- Reading
- Rollercoasters
Accomplishments
- Achieve Stepping into Store Management 2005
- Store Team of the Year 2005
- Store Manager of the Year 2013
- Lead of HOF 2016
- Build Future Leaders Programme 2022
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Store manager
Marks & Spencer
07.2017 - Current
Department sales manager
House of Fraser
05.2015 - 07.2017
Flagship store manager
Evans Arcadia Group
09.2008 - 05.2015
Deputy Store manager
Wallis Arcadia Group
07.2003 - 09.2008
University of Northampton
Bachelor of Science from English Literature and History
09.2000 - 07.2003
Furtherwick Park Sixth Form
A-Levels from Law
09.1998 - 05.2000
Furtherwick Park Sixth Form
A-Levels from History
09.1998 - 05.2000
Furtherwick Park Sixth Form
A-Levels from English Literature and Language
09.1998 - 05.2000
Store manager
Adams Childrenswear
07.1996 - 07.2003
Furtherwick Park School
GCSEs from 12 GCSEs
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