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Emma Reed

Management Consultant with expertise in retail
About

A highly experienced consultant with expertise and insight gained from 22 years in retail. Leads strategy and transformation projects in multi-channel businesses and start-ups. Delivers strategic growth through risk/opportunity assessment and implementing org. design, operating model, process and performance improvements.

Previous Brands
ASOS
Debenhams
First Friday
Koovs
Retail Remedy
Woolworths
Work Experience
FREELANCE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
Jan ‘13 - Jul ‘17
Retail Remedy

Project Lead for various companies since Aug 2017 Structure transformation: Reviewed the operating model, org. design, job roles and process to support growth at A2V (wholesale gift manufacturer) from £12.5M to a target £35M in 2025. Recommended strategic priorities and led the corresponding transformation project. Growth strategy delivering 5:1 ROI: Re-defined the company purpose and vision, delivering a profitable, sustainable growth strategy for Sarah Haran (online luxury accessories brand), including product optimisation, supply chain evaluation, planning and forecasting process, cost reduction and long term emission reduction targets. Brand repositioning: Identified risk and opportunity at Cullifords (natural stone retailer) through product, process and practice evaluation. Managed the business transformation to ensure multi channel commercial outcomes, cost reduction, reduced stock-holding and to appeal to an emerging, eco-customer base. Process improvement: Conducted a strategic review with Directors of Buying, Merchandising and Design at New Look, to discover factors affecting high levels of stock fragmentation and poor SKU availability. Made process recommendations to deliver a leaner product offer.

Head of Menswear
Jan ‘13 - Jul ‘17
Koovs

Set up menswear in a fashion, ecommerce start-up for the Indian market, which floated on AIM in March 2014. Responsible for managing a London-based, menswear design team, and buyers and planners in Delhi. §Successfully determined and implemented the product strategy and working practice to deliver aggressive annual sales growth targets in excess of 180%. §Launched the menswear private label, 8 exclusive brands and the international branded offer in July 2013, growing it to 4000 options, 45% of company sales (£8.8 million) by March 2017. §Collaborated with heads of marketing and creative to ensure clear, cohesive website presentation and promotion of product. §Increased profit margin by 18% over 4 years by reviewing all cost price factors in line with volume.

BUYING AND MERCHANDISING CONSULTANT
Jun ‘11 - Jan ‘13
First Friday

Created and delivered a skills development programme: in collaboration with senior management at John Lewis, to fast-track buyer and merchandiser succession planning. Managed process improvement training: in buying and merchandising at Tesco, to accompany a new stock management system implementation.

HEAD OF BUYING
Sep ‘05 - Aug ‘10
ASOS

Member of the Executive Board with responsibility for menswear. Accountable for range building, buying, merchandising, design, sourcing, supply chain and the brand curation strategy. Grew menswear from 8% of total sales (£1.08 M) to 19% in 2010 (£42.8 M), and increased profit by 4% during this time. Coached and mentored buyers to become highly successful at creating profitable, commercial fashion ranges and to regularly achieve growth plans in excess of +300% over 5 consecutive years.

SENIOR BUYER
Feb ‘04 - Sep ‘05
Woolworths

Responsible for boys' fashion, featuring in over 800 stores, turning over in excess of £160M per annum.

BUYER
Mar ‘95 - Feb ‘04
Debenhams

Bought own label menswear ranges, including Designers@Debenhams

Languages
English - Fluent
French - Work Proficiency
German - Work Proficiency
Education & Training
Maidstone Girls Grammar School
‘86 - ‘88
3 A Levels
French, German and History
Maidstone Girls Grammar School
‘84 - ‘86
9 O Levels
University of Leeds
Unknown - ‘92
Degree
BA (Hons) Modern Languages and Literature (French and German)
University of Cambridge
Unknown - ‘86
Certificate
Business Sustainability Management
London, UK