A highly experienced and resourceful General / Operations Manager who has worked across a number of sectors including Sales, Marketing and Manufacturing. Financially adept and successfully enjoyed P+L responsibility, takes a conscientiously thorough and structured approach to reorganisation and continuous improvements. An outstanding people manager with good interpersonal skills who has successfully developed staff and leads cultural change. Builds key relationships with customers, suppliers and staff through strong communication skills. Now seeking a challenging role in a progressive organisation.

KEY SKILLS

· Communication: relationship builder, open management style, good presentation skills, communication at all levels.

· Analysis: accurate, logical thinker, practical, attention to detail.

· Research: thorough, markets, products, studious

· Planning: factory layouts, project timescales, labour requirements

· Financial: P&L accountability, budget setting, managing costs, capital project justification, commercial awareness.

· People Management: coaching, mentoring, developing, disciplining, workforce sizing , cultural change, recruitment, conflict management

· Strategy: strategic thinking and planning, business development, market research, problem solving, ideas developer.

· Leadership: team building, influencing and motivating, developing, enabling, facilitator and catalyst.

· Negotiation: determined, objective, structured

· Project Management: focussed, organised, target driven

· Product Development: meeting market needs, efficient production methods, continuous improvement, cost reduction.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Self Employed Sept 2004 - present

Worked as a Sales Agent for various Direct Sales Organisations

· Researched, deeply studied and presented Company product range in a clear manner, identifying clients needs and maximising sales opportunities.

· Advised, instructed and trained new advisors on products to increase Company sales.

Switchtec Electronics Apr 1999 - Sept 2004

Switchtec Electronics is a national distributor of electrical and electronic components representing foreign manufacturers in the UK. Turnover £2m.

General Manager

Responsible for the P+L, sourcing products, marketing and both internal and external sales teams.

· Analysed, sourced and negotiated a contract to supply UNDP in Iraq, ensuring all requirements were met within very tight time schedule.

· Developed, marketed and established a new range of products which provided significant turnover growth.

· Researched, designed and developed a web site which raised the Company's profile.

· Planned, co-ordinated and produced a product catalogue providing an essential marketing tool and vastly increasing the customer base.

· Sourced, developed and established a relationship with major Chinese manufacturer which massively increased the product range and market penetration.

Brook International Nov 1997 - Apr 1999

Manufacturers of Flag fabrics based in Drighlington W. Yorks

General Manager

Responsible for manufacturing and sub-contract suppliers.

· Analysed, reviewed and initiated greater process control shortening lead times and reducing waste.

· Drafted, negotiated and agreed formal supplier agreements improving market responsiveness.

Family Time Jun 1997 - Nov 1997

Took short break between positions to complete decoration of house.

Rykneld Tean Mar 1990 - Jun 1997

Leading UK Manufacturers of narrow fabrics formed by the merger of New Tean Hall Mills and Rykneld Mills. Turnover £9.6m.

Production Director

Appointed to merged Company and assumed responsibility for all five manufacturing sites.

· Evaluated, reviewed and re-organised manufacturing methods that reduced overall running costs and released £400k of capital.

· Researched, identified and drafted new Business Plan that provided focus for the development of the business within a declining market.

· Compiled, negotiated and then created up to date contracts bringing about vast improvements in staff relations.

· Researched, prepared and introduced a new operating system which greatly improved management information.

New Tean Hall Mills Jun 1984 - Mar 1990

Narrow fabric manufacturer, part of the Marling Industries group. Turnover £4m.

Production Director (Dec 1985 - Mar 1990)

Responsible for all aspects of manufacturing.

· Investigated, planned and organised a new plant layout achieving significant savings in material handling and costs.

· Investigated, sourced and introduced new methodology of dyeing, vastly improving plant throughput and slashing lead-times.

· Researched, created and presented a paper to an industry conference which both provided interest and broadened the knowledge of competitors and colleagues.

· Analysed, designed and introduced a new range of products that transformed responsiveness to changes in customer's requirements.

· Planned, developed and introduced computerised stock-control system bringing about a massive increase in management information.

· Researched, identified and installed automated methods of manufacture that reduced labour levels resulting in considerable cost savings.

Manufacturing Manager (Jun 1984 - Dec 1985)

Appointed to a position that was effectively director designate.

· Headed, led and enabled a team to combine new ideas with traditional skills producing a product which opened up a new market.

· Researched, analysed and evaluated how best to weave fibreglass tapes establishing significant improvements in efficiency and quality.

Marglass Ltd Sept 1974 - Jun 1984

Manufacturers of glass fibre fabrics and yarns. Jointly owned by Courtaulds and United Merchants and Manufacturers (US) with a turnover of £12m.

Fabric Division Manager (Jun 1981-Jun 1984)

Responsible for yarn preparation, weaving and fabric inspection employing a total of 180 staff.

· Analysed, identified and removed major flaws undermining the management variance system restoring accurate control and management accountability.

· Investigated, restructured and improved training function resulting in improved standards and a reduction in costs.

Weave Shed Manager (Jan 1980-Jun 1981)

Responsible for the weave shed with 460 looms and 150 staff.

· Reviewed and instituted new disciplinary standards that resulted in significant reductions in absenteeism and poor workmanship.

· Investigated, analysed and created a heat-sealing process that massively reduced wastage of woven fabric.

Assistant to Fabric Division Manager (Aug 1978-Jan 1980)

Took up role that was created to provide a step into weaving management.

· Appointed, briefed and instructed to oversee and manage a major change in production methods which established the future direction of manufacturing.

Shift Supervisor (Mar 1977-Aug 1978)

First line role responsible for one of four shifts of 20 men, extruding, winding and twisting fibreglass yarn.

· Undertook personal training resulting in a certificate of distinction and a diploma pass in Industrial Management whilst simultaneously moving through an in-depth practical training programme.

Management Trainee (Sept 1974-Mar 1977)

Stared in the Work Study and moved through various roles in Finishing, Laboratory and Yarn Division.

· Researched, developed and created a range of colours to be used for louvre blinds which were both modern and stylish.

QUALIFICATIONS

Diploma in Industrial Management, South Dorset Technical College 1978-1979

Certificate in Industrial Management (with Distinction) South Dorset Tech. College 1976-1978

B.Sc. (Hons) Ceramics, Leeds University 1971-1974

3 'A' Levels, 11 'O' Levels, Ambrose Fleming Technical Grammar School, Enfield 1964-1971