Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Capabilities And Competencies
Education - Qualifications
Software
Timeline
Generic
RICHIE CLEMENTS

RICHIE CLEMENTS

European Head Of Operations And Sales
Halesowen

Summary

Operations and Sales leader with track record in driving efficiency and productivity. Known for strategic planning, process optimization, and effective resource management. Strong focus on team collaboration, adaptability, and achieving measurable results. Skilled in logistics, project management, and continuous improvement. Trusted to deliver high-quality outcomes in dynamic environments.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

European Head Of Operations

Claire's Accessories
03.2024 - Current
  • Company Overview: Oversee operations for 2900 concessions across Europe, managing a team of 4 Regional Operations Managers, Labour Manager, Third-Party Manager, Compliance Manager, and supporting teams in Marketing, IT, Data Integration, and Communications
  • Partner with key stakeholders (Construction, Accounts Payable, Planning and Allocations, and Distribution Centre) to drive operational success and strategic alignment
  • Implemented a price file maintenance review across 40+ partners, increasing AUR by 30% and correcting a £5M sales deficit by addressing pricing inaccuracies in the largest partner's price file
  • Led SKU optimization, reducing count from 1200 to 350, improving stock availability of top sellers (97% in stock) and enhancing DC pick productivity
  • Managed CAPEX, securing a competitive vendor for fixtures and installations, saving £1.2M in one year and streamlining store setups
  • Delivered £500K savings in store exit costs by downsizing and removing fixtures in 500 Asda's within 4 weeks
  • Led strategic projects in process improvement, promotional activities, and operational efficiencies, driving profitability and customer satisfaction
  • Reduced overdue partner debt from £1.6M to under £90K, with legal action taken for debts over 90 days
  • Operate across five currencies and languages, ensuring effective communication and financial operations across diverse markets
  • Oversee OPEX and CAPEX, presenting strategic investment decisions to the CEO while ensuring compliance and risk management across all markets
  • Re-wrote procurement and tendering process delivering cost savings upwards of 40%
  • Project managed DC hub migration processes and physical relocation from Daventry to Coventry leading to increased productivity and reduced transit time for partners realizing increased revenue for the business

Regional Sales Manager Consumer Products

Claire's Accessories
03.2022 - 03.2024
  • Company Overview: Head count: 10 District Managers/9 Area Managers Turnover £165M+ 2900+ Concessions across 32 Partners
  • Successfully delivered Asda roll out of 1000+ locations on time and within budget
  • Expansion of concession merchandiser model and reduced dependency on outsourced labour by 85%
  • Upskilling of third-party labour through effective workshopping and simplification of communication
  • Reduced sales to labour cost by 35% in line with EDBITDA forecast
  • Increased Average Unit Rate by +35% by through the implementation of a curated range by partner and effective mark down strategy
  • Secured incremental event space within grocery/fashion stores delivering exceptional and sustainable growth opportunities
  • Improved and stabilizes visit compliance within budget and to eliminate risk stores
  • Implemented partner concession planogram to ensure consistency for shopper and employee
  • Increased velocity across UK and Germany by 40%+ through effective field management and activity compliance
  • Curated ranges – Collaborated with buying VP to reduce SKU counts by 30% and increase width of top 300 best sellers (45% sales)
  • Launched Asda piercing trials in their UK top 5 volume stores – secured favorable commission to protect EBITDA
  • Launch of grocery till lanes, shippers and mobile event units
  • Introduced succession planning for CPG → Development programs → Monthly 121's → Appraisals
  • Knowledgeable in field/corporate HR: UK/ROI/Italy/Germany/Belgium
  • Head count: 10 District Managers/9 Area Managers Turnover £165M+ 2900+ Concessions across 32 Partners

Dual District Sales Manager

Claire's Accessories
06.2020 - 01.2022
  • Achieved consistent Same-Store Sales (SSS) growth across all districts by surpassing company averages in Ear Piercing SSS, AVS, and UPT metrics
  • Selected as DSM trainer for FY22 and inducted into the C.L.I.M.B program, reflecting leadership and commercial acumen
  • Successfully drove sales recovery during and after COVID-19 closures, particularly through ear-piercing metrics, achieving full growth post-lockdown
  • Exceeded company KPIs by aligning team efforts with strategic goals, ensuring clear communication and implementation of plans
  • Delivered commercial improvement strategies, leveraging POG, Road Map, and Sales by Department reports to identify opportunities and drive performance
  • Upskilled district managers through detailed visits, setting SMART objectives, and enhancing commercial capabilities
  • Developed and launched a 'Virtual Visits' guide for district managers, ensuring consistent communication and performance monitoring
  • Managed recruitment efforts, consistently meeting the company's time-to-hire goals (2 weeks) through effective networking and strategic recruitment methods
  • Created and delivered Webex workshops to provide consistent, real-time training across districts, including confidence-building and ear-piercing training sessions
  • Supported the development of COVID-secure guidelines for PPE during ear-piercing relaunch, leveraging experience in COVID testing
  • Managed store closures and openings across the estate, ensuring smooth transitions after each lockdown
  • Chaired disciplinary hearings, providing strategic oversight as a Subject Matter Expert (SME)
  • Project-managed the successful rollouts of Matalan and New Look concession startups, overseeing planning, recruitment, and store setup
  • Drove strategic business development by optimizing third-party partnerships and regional collaborations

Area Manager

Blue Cross for Pets
08.2018 - 09.2019

Area Manager

Gift Universe
08.2017 - 02.2018

Head of Retail

Greenwoods Menswear
04.2016 - 07.2017

Regional Manager Northwest & Scotland

Skopes Suiting
08.2013 - 04.2016

Area Manager

Ted Baker
07.2011 - 08.2013

Area Manager

Karen Millen
10.2005 - 07.2011

Education

6 G.C.S.E - Grades B-C

Skills

Operational excellence

Business analysis

Organizational development

Logistics management

Cross-functional coordination

Decision-making

Operations management

Analytical skills

Problem-solving aptitude

Employee development

Process improvements

Budget control

Budget control

Inventory control

Marketing strategies

P&L management

Capabilities And Competencies

  • 20 Years experience in decision making environments, working to tight deadlines with highly complex processing systems
  • Continually looking for new strategic business opportunities to facilitate both growth in revenue and business viability
  • Experience in working on transformational change program's where analysis and detailed methodical work has delivered both operational cost and FTE savings
  • Direct and sustained contact with multinational stakeholder and business sponsors at all levels
  • Excellent written communication skills, ensuring complex information is articulated in a meaningful way to varied audience
  • Responsible for making complex business decisions with authority even in times of ambiguity, considering long term risk implications
  • Consistently looking for ways to improve and streamline existing processes with a thorough understanding of the necessary mechanisms necessary to successfully implement change
  • Acute understanding of budget/labour and debt management processes leading to successful delivery to business financial goals

Education - Qualifications

G.C.S.E, Grades B-C, 6

Software

Power Point

Excel

Timeline

European Head Of Operations

Claire's Accessories
03.2024 - Current

Regional Sales Manager Consumer Products

Claire's Accessories
03.2022 - 03.2024

Dual District Sales Manager

Claire's Accessories
06.2020 - 01.2022

Area Manager

Blue Cross for Pets
08.2018 - 09.2019

Area Manager

Gift Universe
08.2017 - 02.2018

Head of Retail

Greenwoods Menswear
04.2016 - 07.2017

Regional Manager Northwest & Scotland

Skopes Suiting
08.2013 - 04.2016

Area Manager

Ted Baker
07.2011 - 08.2013

Area Manager

Karen Millen
10.2005 - 07.2011

6 G.C.S.E - Grades B-C

RICHIE CLEMENTSEuropean Head Of Operations And Sales