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Jennifer Howes

Retail Manager and Trainer
About

With a solid background in retail training, I specialise in implementing systems and enhancing team capabilities. I excel in dynamic retail environments, ensuring seamless customer service and achieving sales targets through effective training and adaptation to new retail technologies.

Previous Brands
Selfridges
Victoria's
Apple
Debenhams
Hall & Woodhouse Pub Company
Hall & Woodhouse
John Lewis Partnership
Adel Rootstein Display
Work Experience
Retail Trainer – Workforce Management
Oct ‘23 - Now
Selfridges

• Train managers and team members on the Staff Reflexis Scheduling system across all 4 locations. London Birmingham and Manchester. • Develop and deliver training materials, training sessions and 121 coaching • Implement new training initiatives to enhance the understanding of the digital scheduling system

Retail Trainer
Nov ‘22 - Oct ‘23
Selfridges

• Led the training for the new till system rollout in 2023 across all four stores for the Management population • Designed training materials, schedules, and processes • Trainer and share best practice with six trainers to support with the delivery • Delivered face to face workshops and e-learning to the wider team

Retail Trainer – Workforce Management
Oct ‘20 - Nov ‘22
Selfridges

• Trained and supported with the rollout of the Reflexis Scheduling System • Enhance user experience for 1.8k stakeholders through continuous engagement • Improved the on boarding process • Supported with new feature and version releases by delivering training and communication plans

Retail Trainer
May ‘19 - Oct ‘20
Selfridges

• Provided in the moment feedback and worked closely with Department Manager • Acted a s a subject matter expert in retail operations and service

Department Manager
Jul ‘16 - Apr ‘19
Selfridges

• I managed the wine shop achieving average weekly sales of £100,000 peaking to 500,000 per week in December. • I developed a strong understanding of competitors and followed trends in wine and food. I collaborated with the buying team to create new merchandising plans, notably featuring craft Gin which managed to double the sales with effective visual merchandising. • I would over- see the food and wine division leading a team of up to 100 people per day, in a fast paced environment. • I coached and developed the Wine team enhancing their skills and knowledge of wine and food. Additional Experience

Jan ‘16 - Now
Selfridges

Secret Assistant Store Manager
Aug ‘14 - Jun ‘16
Victoria's Secret

Key Achievements - Annual sales for this store were between £6,000,000 and £8,000,000 My role was focused on delivering a best in class branded customer experience. I was tasked to lead and develop the sales team, alongside delivering exceptional customer service in a brand-new store in Brent Cross shopping centre which opened in October 2014.

EE Store Manager
Sep ‘13 - Aug ‘14
EE

Key Achievements - This was a flagship/trial store situated on Oxford Street, London. In this role I was responsible for recruiting, leading, engaging and developing a highly knowledgeable and skilled team, who were obsessed with providing a brilliant customer experience. I was also responsible for delivering the store retail plan and delivering commercial results on a consistent basis. I helped to recruit a new team for the central London stores, as the newly formed EE developed. This was accomplished through assessment centres and one to one interview though out the time I was with EE.

Retail Sales Manager
Sep ‘12 - Sep ‘13
Apple

My role within Apple was a Manager/leader within the Covent Garden Store. I managed the shop floor on a day to day basis and had 30 direct reports from within the store team. It was a fast- paced environment, alongside Apple's constant change and innovation. My area of responsibility was the Laptop and Desk Top section. I also looked after the Welcome Team within the store and worked hard on this new area of the store to improve and excel at the welcome all customers would receive when visiting this flag ship store

Sales Manager and Nominated Deputy Store Manager
Jan ‘11 - Aug ‘12
Debenhams

Key Achievements - I started at Lakeside store and was moved to Clapham, which had a turnover: £20m, Staff: 250 and was promoted to Nominated Deputy after 3 months. Assisting a temporary Store Manager in August and September, during a particularly challenging time during the Clapham riots and the aftermath of that, until a new Store Manager was appointed. Deputising for the Store Manager and taking on a more of a global role in her absence. Managing the staff, service, and sales on the shop floor Commercial awareness of the sales.

Regional Manager
Jan ‘08 - Jan ‘10
Hall & Woodhouse

Key Achievements – In this role I was responsible for an area of ten pubs in Hall and Woodhouse with a turnover of around nine million per year. For all these areas I reported directly to the Managing Director of the Retail Division of Hall & Woodhouse. Duty/Deputy Manager Development program developed and delivered within my area. The area beat budget in the first financial year by £10k. Participating in and delivering a managing change project for Hall & Woodhouse. Ensuring General Managers and their teams operate within their budgeted Profit and Loss accounts. Ensuring HR and Health and Safety policies were adhered to.

General Manager-Osborne
Jan ‘00 - Jul ‘08
Hall & Woodhouse

opened after a total refurbishment. I was part of the set- up of the systems and procedures to help this site run successfully. The site has an annual turnover of 2 million pounds with a 35%-65% Liquor Food split and can employ up to 80 staff in the summer. Managing the increase in customers from 250 covers to 750 in the summer months. Delivered the highest ever weekly sales, for Hall and Woodhouse of 65k in July and August. General Manager – I joined Hall & Woodhouse as a trainee manager and spent a year learning the industry. I started at the bottom and learnt every role within a pub, vital to be able to understand and run a pub successfully. I then ran several small sites for the company such as Barley Mow in Oxted Surrey and Black Swan in Pease Pottage.

General
Jan ‘00 - Jan ‘08
Hall & Woodhouse

Retail Manager
Jan ‘90 - Jan ‘99
John Lewis Partnership

Key Achievements - I started as a Section Manager in Furnishing Fabrics at Peter Jones. A Section Manager reported to the Department Manager and assisted in the management of the department by planning and organising work and supervising the activities of the team daily. Promoting customer service and sales within the department and ensuring that the staff serve customers promptly, efficiently, and courteously. I spent 5 years in the home furnishing departments, predominantly in Furnishing fabrics, but also sometime within carpets. I learnt how made to measure furnishings are created and sold to a very discerning clientele in Sloane Square. After a period of shop floor management, I was promoted to Staff Events Organiser and Social Club Manager within the store. I was responsible for the day to day running of the staff social club, organising staff outings and events, managing long service awards and events and running the Social Club and Social Committee. National Events Organiser The main purpose of this role was to organise and manage a variety of events, country wide, for the staff of John Lewis and Waitrose. The role involved organising 10-12 sporting events per year culminating with the largest event each year, which was a family fun day attracting up to 28,000 people.

Wig Dresser
Jan ‘85 - Jan ‘90
Adel Rootstein Display

This company makes mannequins for world- wide department stores. My job involved making and styling wigs for those mannequins. This was a highly skilled, creative job which utilised all the skills learnt at the London College of Fashion.

Languages
English - Native
Education & Training
LONDON COLLEGE
‘83 - ‘85
of Fashion Examinations
John Ruskin High School
‘76 - ‘85
School
Croydon, UK