Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
References
Interests
Timeline
Generic
Katherine Watson

Katherine Watson

Pulham St Mary,Norfolk

Summary

I am a highly motivated, detail-orientated, Project & Development Manager with over 40 years of retail management experience. I enjoy a challenge and consistently achieve high standards through effectively working as a team player. I possess excellent leadership and organizational skills and am comfortable working with people of all levels. I also have a versatile commercial approach to solving problems and developing business processes using my strong analytical skill set and adept knowledge of MS tools while always keeping my passion for the customer at the forefront. My notable interpersonal and communication skills enable me to establish connections and trust with stakeholders.

Overview

41
41
years of professional experience
14
14
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Fulfilment Development Manager

Argos UK Ltd
10.2019 - Current
  • Developed, delivered & managed several new initiatives to reduce customer lead-times and generate net benefit, including: Cluster Pick (3 phases) £5.6m FY net benefit, DC Fall Back (collection and small item delivery) £2m in year net benefit.
  • Supported essential business change through Covid lockdown & trading restriction and peak periods to minimise impact on operations, sales and customers.

Project Manager

Argos UK Ltd
04.2015 - 10.2019
  • A key member of the CX team in delivering the means to: WOW and win back customers through bringing to market the new great ways to shop at Argos, which included Fast Track (same day) Delivery & Fast Track Collection.

Retail Commercial Team Project Manger

Argos UK Ltd
April 2015
04.2009 - 04.2015
  • Project managed multiple stores initiatives through all stages from development and training through to implementation. Projects include:
  • The Hub – stores communication tool (shortlisted for Retail Week Project Implementation award).
  • Stockchecker 2, Initial introduction to the business 2009/10 (shortlisted for Retail Week New Technology award) - 2014 enhancements 2014 to improve the customer journey & drive sales.
  • Over £11.7m PA savings through an Operational Excellence programme.
  • The transformation programme - working closely & collaboratively with other business areas and the transformation team to ensure accurate reporting and aligned plans/solutions.

Retail Business Support

Self Employed
10.2001 - 03.2009
  • Spec and design database solutions to support business needs.
  • Produce user friendly reporting solutions for Trading, Supply Chain and Value Chain business areas enabling key business decision to be made confidently,
  • Create & deliver training in conjunction with delivered solutions.

Project Analyst, Stores Analyst, Stores System & Communications Manager, Helpdesk Manager

Mothercare UK Ltd – Store Operations
07.1983 - 10.2001
  • Managed retail element of several major projects including: Genesis (new merchandising systems), Y2K (Year 2000 compliance) and a new automated Distribution Centre)
  • Created & delivered annual store sales incentives,
  • Generated, coordinated, and managed all communications to UK stores from all business areas.
  • Developed, documented & delivered changes to store systems & procedures.
  • Key team member of EPOS rollout and other store system installation programmes

Education

Fashion Retailing College Certificate - Fashion Retailing

College For Distributive Trades
London

Art & Design College Certificate, A-Level Design (B) - Art

Lowestoft College of Further Education
Lowestoft

8 O-Levels, including: Math's (B), English Language (C), English Lit. (C) - General Studies

Woodbridge School, Suffolk
Woodbridge

Skills

  • Microsoft Office applications (advanced level)
  • Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma
  • Microsoft Project
  • Knowledge of Business Objects
  • Excel proficiency
  • Networking ability
  • Open and clear communicator
  • Prince 2 qualified
  • Customer-focused

References

References available upon request.

Interests

Reading

Crosswords & quizzes

Developing PC skills (Web design, macros etc)

Gardening

Timeline

Fulfilment Development Manager

Argos UK Ltd
10.2019 - Current

Project Manager

Argos UK Ltd
04.2015 - 10.2019

Retail Commercial Team Project Manger

Argos UK Ltd
04.2009 - 04.2015

Retail Business Support

Self Employed
10.2001 - 03.2009

Project Analyst, Stores Analyst, Stores System & Communications Manager, Helpdesk Manager

Mothercare UK Ltd – Store Operations
07.1983 - 10.2001

Fashion Retailing College Certificate - Fashion Retailing

College For Distributive Trades

Art & Design College Certificate, A-Level Design (B) - Art

Lowestoft College of Further Education

8 O-Levels, including: Math's (B), English Language (C), English Lit. (C) - General Studies

Woodbridge School, Suffolk

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