John Cullen
Hollycarrside,United Kingdom
Summary
The experience I have gained over the years paired the training I have received have helped me become a great all rounder and no 2 days are the same. One minute I can be any of the following, Transport manager, HR manager, Sales manager, H&S manager, Manufacturing manager, Supply chain manager, Contract manager to name a few. I also pride myself on showing strong leadership in particular in the people management and operations areas
Experienced career professional with over 30 years working experience in Retail and General merchanting sectors
- Leadership experience of 30 years at varying levels, more senior as I gained more experience
- Managed and been responsible for my own site, store or branch for 18 years
- Managed varying sized teams over the years from 10 - 100 members of staff
- Heavily involved in new store openings, re brands and closures
- Heavily experienced in managing change
- Track record of over 20 years delivering results
- I base everything I do and my success based on the foundations of People + Operations = sales. Right people with the right attitude + run a seamless operation = results / sales
- I have been very fortunate that I have been headhunted several times for my last few career moves spanning the last 18 years or so
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
General Manager
JT Dove / Nordstrom Timber
Sunderland
01.2022 - Current
- Oversaw acquisition and integration of timber and manufacturing operations, driving £4.8m turnover.
- Managed 28 direct reports and a branch management team of six managers.
- Implemented new departments, including building, plumbing, heating, kitchen, and bathroom services.
- Developed kitchen and bathroom showroom to enhance customer engagement.
- Updated joinery department in compliance with legal, health, and safety standards.
- Collaborated with HSE to ensure safety protocols in 2023.
- Achieved sales budgets set by the board while maintaining full P&L accountability.
- Cultivated relationships with local councils, schools, and government bodies to expand customer base.
- Improved staff retention with robust HR policies and procedures.
- Delivered results under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
- Established a positive work environment which promoted staff morale and productivity.
- Increased overall operational efficiency by implementing new management strategies.
- Fostered a high-performance culture, resulting in increased productivity.
- Maintained compliance with industry regulations at all times.
- Implemented rigorous financial controls, improving overall profitability.
- Streamlined communication processes for improved team collaboration.
- Built high-performing teams to achieve organisational objectives.
- Introduced effective cost control measures, reducing unnecessary expenditure.
- Successfully negotiated contracts with suppliers to reduce costs.
- Identified new business opportunities, leading to market expansion.
- Developed strategic business plans, enhancing corporate vision and objectives.
- Oversaw all aspects of daily operations, ensuring smooth running of the organisation.
- Regularly reviewed performance data, driving continuous improvement efforts.
- Identified and resolved operational issues impacting productivity, performance or profitability.
- Maintained organisational compliance with applicable legislation and regulations.
- Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
- Reviewed reports from subordinate management to identify areas of opportunity.
General Manager
JT Dove Ltd
South Shields
08.2020 - 12.2022
- Opened the companies 20th Branch
- Given a blank canvass to choose stock profile, set up layout of external and internal stock areas and traffic management
- Hand pick and recruit my own team, including 3 managers with a further 11 staff members
- Saved the company £60k by advising the board to withdraw planning application to move site entrance
- Broke all JT Dove new branch records in first trading month and first full trading year in terms of sales and profitability
Branch Manager
Travis Perkins Builders Merchants
South Shields
04.2018 - 08.2020
- Headhunted by Travis Perkins via LinkedIn to manage underperforming branch in South Shields.
- The branch had 11 managers in 10 years prior to my arrival.
- 14 direct reports that included a Tool hire implant
- Directed operations at newly relocated Trade Park alongside other TP PLC businesses.
- Liaised with clients, resulting in strong relationships and repeat business.
- Improved branch productivity by implementing efficient work schedules.
- Led team meetings to foster communication and collaboration.
- Ensured branch met all regulatory requirements for safe operation.
- Reviewed and analysed sales data to identify growth opportunities.
- Streamlined business processes to enhance operational efficiency.
- Managed daily operations to ensure smooth running of the branch.
- Conducted regular performance reviews for continuous employee development.
- Ensured compliance with company policies, maintaining ethical standards.
- Oversaw recruitment process, ensuring selection of competent staff members.
- Provided excellent customer service, securing client loyalty.
- Directed day-to-day work of 16 employees and motivated teams to exceed objectives.
- Identified and resolved operational issues impacting productivity, performance or profitability.
- Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
Branch Manager
Jewson
Sunderland
11.2012 - 04.2018
- After successfully completing a year as a Designate Branch Manager I was appointed Branch manager of the Sunderland branch
- Awarded as Jewson North branch of the year for H&S
- I had 16 direct reports which also included tool hire implant
- Full P&L responsibility
- Successfully fixed some serious property, stock loss and H&S historical issues
- In my time here I was part of numerous regional projects including recruiting of management trainees, employment evolution and Training Fridays. Training Fridays class room based training where I was the trainer.
- Streamlined business processes to enhance operational efficiency.
- Organised local marketing activities, boosting brand visibility within community.
- I was also a Mentor for management trainees
- Ensured branch met all regulatory requirements for safe operation.
- Optimised financial procedures for improved fiscal management.
- Provided excellent customer service, securing client loyalty.
- Reviewed and analysed sales data to identify growth opportunities.
- Managed daily operations to ensure smooth running of the branch.
- Improved branch productivity by implementing efficient work schedules.
General Manager
Focus DIY / B&M Retail
Cramlington, Northumberland
06.2010 - 10.2012
- Started off as Focus DIY but then after administration the store was re branded as B&M after they purchased the store
- Originally head hunted to manage the under preforming Cramlington Focus DIY store
- Managed the re brand process and Focus DIY closure
- B&M at the time became highest turnover store in the North east
- 54 direct reports
- Full P&L accountability
- H&S & Fire regulation compliance
- Business plans based around sales, ATV, standards, people and service
- Regularly reviewed performance data, driving continuous improvement efforts.
- Built high-performing teams to achieve organisational objectives.
- Established a positive work environment which promoted staff morale and productivity.
- Developed strategic business plans, enhancing corporate vision and objectives.
Branch Manager
Toolstation
Gateshead / Durham
06.2008 - 06.2010
- Opened the companies first North east branch and only the 16th in the company
- Assisted the opening of the second North east branch in Durham
- Won Branch of the year for the Northern area
- KPI compliance
- HR responsibilities
- P&L responsible
- Improved branch productivity by implementing efficient work schedules.
- Streamlined business processes to enhance operational efficiency.
- Led team meetings to foster communication and collaboration.
- Conducted regular performance reviews for continuous employee development.
Trading Manager
B&Q
Sunderland/Durham/Newcastle/Middlesbrough
10.1999 - 06.2008
- Worked in 4 stores across the North east in various roles
- Started as a Customer Advisor in the Sunderland store on the Hardware department
- Promoted to Supervisor on the Building department
- Successfully accepted and enrolled on B&Q's management trainee fast track program
- Promoted to Team leader for Stock management and pricing
- Completed the Management trainee fast track program
- Rolled out a new stock management system on secondment as a trainer (classroom based)
- Promoted to Warehouse, Stock management, Pricing & Distribution manager for new Durham store opening
- Promoted to Trading manager in one of the flagship stores in Newcastle
- Further secondment to Middlesbrough store (struggling store) to support the turn around its performance
- Responsible for anywhere up to 100 members of staff at any one time
- Analysing sales data, customer trends, H&S, team briefs, daily comms, customer complaints, customer service, stock, standards, delegating work loads, staff welfare, pricing and standards
Section leader
Wilkinson
Sunderland
01.1996 - 09.1999
- Started as a Warehouse supervisor in what was then the largest store in the company in Sunderland
- Promoted to Section leader of the DIY and Seasonal departments
- Seconded at the age of just 18 years old to manage the 'morning team' which replenished the stock , team was made up of between 12 -25 members of staff
- Further secondment to various store in the North east to organise warehouse's in readiness for stocktakes. Stores I worked in during this time were Darlington, Stockton, North shields, Cramlington & Newcastle
Apprentice/Trainee
Wearside Builders Merchants Ltd
Sunderland
07.1994 - 11.1995
- Joined this family owned local Builders merchants 1 week after leaving school as a trainee/ apprentice in conjunction with a learning program from BMF (builders merchants federation)
- Duties included manual bagging of sand, putting stock away, serving customers, assisting drivers as a porter whilst out on deliveries, standards and even making tea
- I was allocated 6 hours per week from my work duties to study for my NVQ levels 1 & 2 qualifications in Stores, wholesaling and warehousing which I had to sit 3 exams for. I passed all 3 with merit
- At my own choice decided to sit the advanced level 3 in selling which I also passed with merit
Education
GCSEs - English language, English literature, Maths, Physical Education, History, Co-ordinated Science, CDT
Thornhill Comprehensive school
Sunderland NVQ Levels 1 & 2 - Stores, Wholesaling and Warehousing
BMF- Builders Merchant Federation
NVQ Level 3 - Selling
BMF- Builders Merchants Federation
Skills
- HR policies implementation
- Result-Driven approach
- Safety regulations adherence
- Business development
- Regulatory compliance
- Performance monitoring
- Event planning
- Advanced negotiation
- Business networking
- Leadership development
- Supplier negotiation
- Customer relationship management
- Operations oversight
- ISO standards knowledge
- Staff recruitment and retention
- Financial analysis
- Time efficiency
- Strategic visioning
- Organisational awareness
- Resilience under pressure
- Leadership excellence
- Initiative taking
- Corporate social responsibility awareness
- Communication proficiency
- Performance driving
- Mergers and acquisitions expertise
- Health and Safety Compliance
- Customer Service
- Cultural awareness
- Interpersonal communication
- Team Leadership
- Product knowledge
- Resourcefulness
- Conflict Resolution
- Project Management
- Inventory management
- Process Improvement
- Operations management
- Budget management
- Professional training delivery
- Supply chain management
- Client relations
- IT Proficiency
- Integrity and ethics
- Interpersonal savvy
- Executive communication
- Strategic planning
Certification
- BMF NVQ levels 1 & 2 in Stores, wholesaling and warehousing
- BMF NVQ level 3 in selling
- St Johns First Aid trained
- St Johns Fire marshal trained
- Mental health first aid trained
- Mentoring future stars
- Full clean EU driving licence
- Fork lift truck licences x 3, Counterbalance, Pivot bendi & multi directional reach truck
- Coaching adults (FA trained) in Football
- Unconscious bias trained
Accomplishments
- 8 New Branch openings
- 1 Branch re location
- 2 Branch re brands (through acquisitions)
- 2 branch closures
- Jewson Branch of the year
- Toolstation Branch of the year
Management courses attended
- Train the trainer
- Mentoring
- Recruiting talented people
- Profit protection
- Improving attendance
- Understanding P&L's
- Business planning through P&L management
- Strategic planning
- Succession planning
- Employee relations
- Diversity & Equality
- Effective leadership
- Self organisation skills
- Commerciality
- Unconscious bias
- Sales masterclass
- Mental health awareness in the work place
Affiliations
- Football
- Darts
- Pool
- Snooker
- Coaching football
- Taking my dog for a walk
- Gaming
- Holidays abroad
- Weekends away
- Spending time with my sons
- Socialising
References
- Darren Noble, General Manager, ASDA Spennymoor (previously B&Q)
- Suzanne Wiltshire, HR Manager, ASDA Washington Distribution centre (previously B&Q
- John Burke, Operations director, JT Dove
- Steve Robinson, Managing director, JT Dove
Timeline
General Manager
JT Dove / Nordstrom Timber
01.2022 - Current
General Manager
JT Dove Ltd
08.2020 - 12.2022
Branch Manager
Travis Perkins Builders Merchants
04.2018 - 08.2020
Branch Manager
Jewson
11.2012 - 04.2018
General Manager
Focus DIY / B&M Retail
06.2010 - 10.2012
Branch Manager
Toolstation
06.2008 - 06.2010
Trading Manager
B&Q
10.1999 - 06.2008
Section leader
Wilkinson
01.1996 - 09.1999
Apprentice/Trainee
Wearside Builders Merchants Ltd
07.1994 - 11.1995
GCSEs - English language, English literature, Maths, Physical Education, History, Co-ordinated Science, CDT
Thornhill Comprehensive school
NVQ Levels 1 & 2 - Stores, Wholesaling and Warehousing
BMF- Builders Merchant Federation
NVQ Level 3 - Selling
BMF- Builders Merchants Federation