Soniya Pahari
Oostende,Belgium
Summary
Retail Sales & Training Leader with 7+ years. Proven expertise in floor management, sales operations, KPI achievement, and coaching large multicultural teams. Skilled in novelty forecasting, pricing analysis, and P&L oversight, with a proven track record of executing high-impact marketing activations and strengthening retailer partnerships across multiple channels. Adept at KPI analysis, launch performance reporting, and aligning brand strategies with market trends to drive growth. Multilingual communicator with strong cross-cultural collaboration skills, experienced in working with marketing, trade, PR, and supply chain teams to ensure seamless execution. Currently seeking leadership opportunities in the GCC retail market.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Manager, sales operations
Tommy Hilfiger
Oostende
09.2024 - 01.2025
- Developed and implemented effective sales strategies, increasing team efficiency.
- Managed client relationships to build loyalty and encourage repeat business.
- Resolved product or service issues promptly, boosting customer satisfaction.
- Monitored daily sales activities to maintain compliance with organisational standards.
- Coordinated training programmes for new staff to enhance team performance.
- Devised strategic plans for achieving short-term and long-term revenue goals.
- Fostered teamwork within staff, improving collective output and morale.
- Addressed potential conflicts swiftly, ensuring harmonious working conditions.
- Reviewed contracts and sales proposals to verify quality and guideline compliance.
- Organised special sales at specific times to drive customer engagement and move high volumes of products.
Makeup Trainer / Management
Chanel
Brussel, Belgium
01.2023 - 08.2024
- Supported fragrance, makeup and skincare launches, including novelties, relaunches, and seasonal gift sets, ensuring alignment with global brand guidelines.
- Collaborated with online retail partners and internal marketing teams to enhance product pages, visuals, and online content, contributing to stronger visibility and sell-through.
- that enhanced brand awareness and client engagement.
- Drove go-to-market strategies for product launches, aligning global standards with local dynamics.
- Designed and delivered workshops to enhance brand awareness and sell-out performance.
- Delivered training programs (in-person & digital) to upskill beauty advisors in skincare rituals, product storytelling, and cross-selling techniques, improving counter performance and client retention.
- Collaborated with marketing teams to execute campaigns, boosting launch success and customer engagement.
- Facilitated discussions during sessions to promote active participation among attendees.
- Developed employee skills through comprehensive training programmes while adhering to company policies.
- Monitored employee progress and provided management with feedback on training needs.
- Handled logistical arrangements for off-site seminars and workshops efficiently.
- Delivered training programs (in-person & digital) to upskill beauty advisors in skincare rituals, product storytelling, and cross-selling techniques, improving counter performance and client retention.
Beauty Trainer & Management
Dior
Gent/ Brussels, Belgium
01.2019 - 12.2022
- Coordinated fragrance, skincare, and makeup launches across retail and online platforms, ensuring alignment with global brand guidelines and local market needs.
- Partnered with retailers on assortment planning, product listings, and digital assets to optimize visibility both in-store and on e-retail channels.
- Defined sales targets and monitored performance KPIs to ensure growth across multiple channels.
- Coordinated promotional campaigns and product launches in alignment with global brand guidelines.
- Negotiated with retailers to optimise commercial terms and marketing budgets effectively.
- Managed daily retail operations and led a team to foster a results-driven culture.
- Developed customised training programmes tailored to individual learner needs and abilities.
- Employed visual aids in lessons for clearer representation of techniques.
- Achieved high levels of learner engagement through interactive teaching techniques.
- Designed and delivered training programs (in-person and online) to improve advisor expertise in skincare rituals, fragrance storytelling, and customer engagement, resulting in higher conversion and client loyalty.
Makeup Trainer
Ici Paris XL
Brugge, Belgium
06.2018 - 05.2022
- Implemented effective in-store operations to enhance luxury brand visibility and client experience.
- Facilitated private makeup training sessions, increasing product knowledge and boosting cross-selling rates.
- Organised makeup seminars with around 30 participants each, expanding brand outreach and sales performance.
- Executed targeted go-to-market strategies, contributing to a 30% uplift in luxury beauty sell-out figures.
- Led successful product launches for Chanel and Dior through comprehensive marketing presentations and training initiatives.
- Supported strategic marketing activations, significantly increasing store traffic and conversion rates.
- Analysed sales KPIs and consumer insights, influencing assortment planning with actionable recommendations.
- Mentored new advisors on product expertise and service standards, improving customer retention rates.
Freelancer Makeup Artist
MAC Cosmetics
, Belgium
06.2016 - 05.2018
- Executed professional makeup artistry and consultations, increasing sales through bespoke recommendations.
- Conducted in-store tutorials to enhance customer engagement.
- Represented brand at events, boosting visibility and image.
- Surpassed sales targets with strategic upselling and cross-selling.
- Applied prosthetic makeup for theatre productions, ensuring successful shows.
- Selected suitable false eyelashes for clients, achieving satisfaction consistently.
- Assisted brides in attaining desired looks on wedding days.
Education
Certificate of Higher Education - Social Science
Maricolen
Bruges 09.2011 - 06.2014
Certificate of Higher Education - Mud Designory
Make up Designory
Ghent 01.2018 - 04.2018
Skills
- Go-to-market strategy
- Instructional expertise
- Diverse environment leadership
- Stress management techniques
- Commercial planning and P&L oversight
- Multi-channel retail management
- KPI analysis and insights
- Marketing execution and activation
- Retailer relationship management
- Luxury brand knowledge
- Team leadership and training
- Multilingual communication skills
- Compliance knowledge
- Quality audits and training
- Customer relationship management
Accomplishments
- Lead Makeup Artist – Marco Borsato music video Vandaag is rood (2018)
- Lead Makeup Artist – Fashion Week & boutique shows, Ghent (2018–2019)
- Certified Yoga Teacher
Languages
English
Fluent
Dutch
Native
French
Upper intermediate
Nepali
Native
Hindi
Intermediate
References
References available on request
Timeline
Manager, sales operations
Tommy Hilfiger
09.2024 - 01.2025
Makeup Trainer / Management
Chanel
01.2023 - 08.2024
Beauty Trainer & Management
Dior
01.2019 - 12.2022
Makeup Trainer
Ici Paris XL
06.2018 - 05.2022
Certificate of Higher Education - Mud Designory
Make up Designory
01.2018 - 04.2018
Freelancer Makeup Artist
MAC Cosmetics
06.2016 - 05.2018
Certificate of Higher Education - Social Science
Maricolen
09.2011 - 06.2014