$$$$
{{ $t($store.state.user.experience_value_in_dollars) }}
Expert
{{ $t($store.state.user.experience_search_name) }}
0
jobs
An experienced commercial leader with a proven strategic and operational track record in both large publicly listed and smaller private equity owned organisations.
Ben Winter
,
Brentwood, United Kingdom
Experience
Other titles
Skills
I'm offering
I am an accomplished team leader with a track record of developing individuals to move into more senior roles and am happy working both ‘sleeves rolled up’ in the detail or stepping back to lead on commercial strategy and longer-term direction. I am a clear communicator with the ability to liaise at all levels across a business and I am as happy working alongside junior members of the team as I am presenting strategy and long-term plans to leadership teams and shareholders/owners.
I am also highly numerate, analytical and creative and will use always use data, where available, to help inform insight and make business decisions.
I have wide experience in both domestic and direct (FOB) sourcing across a large number of product categories with varying economic frameworks and would consider myself to be a strong and effective negotiator.
I am also highly numerate, analytical and creative and will use always use data, where available, to help inform insight and make business decisions.
I have wide experience in both domestic and direct (FOB) sourcing across a large number of product categories with varying economic frameworks and would consider myself to be a strong and effective negotiator.
Markets
United Kingdom
Industries
Language
English
Fluently
Ready for
Larger project
Ongoing relation / part-time
Full time contractor
Available
My experience
2019 - ?
job
Category Director - General Merchandise and Books
WH Smith Limited UK Travel.
Reporting to the Commercial Director (UK Travel), leads a team of 26x commercial mangers including 2x
trading controllers, senior buyers and administration support
• Responsible for the retail trading P&L across the WH Smith UK Travel retail estate overseeing all product
purchasing, retail pricing and lifecycle trading activity covering annual £175m sales, £80m of purchases
and £73m of cash margin and commercial income across a broad number of categories including;
Technology, Health and Beauty, Stationery, Cards, Gifts, Travel Accessories, Toys and Games, Souvenirs,
Sim Cards and Books, sourced via a mix UK distribution/publishers and direct from manufacturers in the Far East.
Key Achievements
General;
• Grown the overall General Merchandise sales and margin by over 20% yoy, achieving company sales,
margin and commercial income targets, and growing market share in the majority and maintaining
market share in all other categories
• On joining the business recovered a £2.5m (25%) shortfall to the end of financial year commercial
income target in 2019.
• Restructured the General Merchandise team including replacing the lead role within my first 4 months,
which enabled a step change in the performance of the associated categories after that point.
• Oversaw the opening of 3x new standalone Technology specialist stores including the first UK based In
Motion store at Leeds Bradford Airport and a new flagship Bookshop stores in Gatwick North and Harrods concession - all stores opened as planned on time and delivered over 12% commercial income
to sales.
• Successfully renegotiated the WH Smith framework agreement with Well Pharmacy and oversaw the
development of several new Health and Beauty and Souvenirs ranges which allowed the business to follow on from a successful first store in Gatwick North, to win a tender for a new global flagship
'Journey Essentials' store in Heathrow Terminal 2, including a second Well Pharmacy concession
(opened 3/8/20).
• Introduced a new Hygiene Category to support changes in customer shopping behaviour due to the impact of Covid 19 and to provide PPE supplies for WHS store colleagues with 2020 sales, including a
range of direct sourced own brand PPE and health essentials - on track to deliver over £3m in sales in
2020 from standing start (BAU run rate closer to £10m).
Category Specific;
• Technology
o Grew sales by 15% yoy in 2019 and 9% in 2020 (up to end Feb)
o Strengthened relationships with key suppliers and improved commercial framework agreements (e.g. Apple, Bose)
o Developed a range of own branded, FE sourced entry level mobile phones accessories and headphones for sale across WH Smith Group global stores - forecast to save WHS over £1m per
annum.
• Health and Beauty
o Grew business by 50% in 2019 and 55% in 2020 (up to end Feb)
o Successful full year of new 'Travel Essentials' Gatwick North store - £3m H&B sales with just under
50% of all customers putting an H&B product in their basket.
• Other General Merchandise and Books
o Greetings Cards - Tendered and negotiated the contract for a new solus agreement for the supply of greetings cards, delivering over 100% increase in commercial income over the life of the agreement
including a significant business critical launch fee (2019) and +22% sales growth for Valentine's Day
trading controllers, senior buyers and administration support
• Responsible for the retail trading P&L across the WH Smith UK Travel retail estate overseeing all product
purchasing, retail pricing and lifecycle trading activity covering annual £175m sales, £80m of purchases
and £73m of cash margin and commercial income across a broad number of categories including;
Technology, Health and Beauty, Stationery, Cards, Gifts, Travel Accessories, Toys and Games, Souvenirs,
Sim Cards and Books, sourced via a mix UK distribution/publishers and direct from manufacturers in the Far East.
Key Achievements
General;
• Grown the overall General Merchandise sales and margin by over 20% yoy, achieving company sales,
margin and commercial income targets, and growing market share in the majority and maintaining
market share in all other categories
• On joining the business recovered a £2.5m (25%) shortfall to the end of financial year commercial
income target in 2019.
• Restructured the General Merchandise team including replacing the lead role within my first 4 months,
which enabled a step change in the performance of the associated categories after that point.
• Oversaw the opening of 3x new standalone Technology specialist stores including the first UK based In
Motion store at Leeds Bradford Airport and a new flagship Bookshop stores in Gatwick North and Harrods concession - all stores opened as planned on time and delivered over 12% commercial income
to sales.
• Successfully renegotiated the WH Smith framework agreement with Well Pharmacy and oversaw the
development of several new Health and Beauty and Souvenirs ranges which allowed the business to follow on from a successful first store in Gatwick North, to win a tender for a new global flagship
'Journey Essentials' store in Heathrow Terminal 2, including a second Well Pharmacy concession
(opened 3/8/20).
• Introduced a new Hygiene Category to support changes in customer shopping behaviour due to the impact of Covid 19 and to provide PPE supplies for WHS store colleagues with 2020 sales, including a
range of direct sourced own brand PPE and health essentials - on track to deliver over £3m in sales in
2020 from standing start (BAU run rate closer to £10m).
Category Specific;
• Technology
o Grew sales by 15% yoy in 2019 and 9% in 2020 (up to end Feb)
o Strengthened relationships with key suppliers and improved commercial framework agreements (e.g. Apple, Bose)
o Developed a range of own branded, FE sourced entry level mobile phones accessories and headphones for sale across WH Smith Group global stores - forecast to save WHS over £1m per
annum.
• Health and Beauty
o Grew business by 50% in 2019 and 55% in 2020 (up to end Feb)
o Successful full year of new 'Travel Essentials' Gatwick North store - £3m H&B sales with just under
50% of all customers putting an H&B product in their basket.
• Other General Merchandise and Books
o Greetings Cards - Tendered and negotiated the contract for a new solus agreement for the supply of greetings cards, delivering over 100% increase in commercial income over the life of the agreement
including a significant business critical launch fee (2019) and +22% sales growth for Valentine's Day
Administration, Retail, Sales, Technology, Growth, Support, Development, Health, Accessories, Forecast, Framework, UP
2018 - 2019
job
Commercial Director
Office Outlet.
Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer (main board level), lead the product purchasing, merchandise
planning, visual merchandise and commercial trading functions and a member of the senior leadership
team and operational board.
• Responsible for the retail trading P&L across both store and website sales channels, overseeing all
product sourcing, purchasing, retail pricing and lifecycle trading activity covering over £60m of annual
purchases, £45m of cash margin, 90 categories and 15,000 different individual products via UK
distribution and direct from manufacturers in the Far East.
• Also responsible for the ensuring the business had the right mix and amount of stock in the right
locations at the right time to maximise the sales and margin opportunity whilst manage the working
capital investment to support the business' cash flow requirements.
• Led a team of 22 including 2x 'Heads of' roles, Buyers, Visual Merchandisers, Merchandise Planners and associated support roles covering a wide range of commercial based responsibilities.
Key Achievements
• Reduced overall stock holding by 25% to improve working capital and reduce cash flow demands, whilst
maintaining >95% availability for sale of all products and the sell through of over £1.5m of legacy and obsolete stock to improve the overall aged profile of the stock holding.
• Introduced a Distribution Centre based consignment model with the company's largest stock supplier
(represents c40% of annual stock intake), reducing working capital by a further £1m and at the same
time allowing for further improved store and DC availability
• Finalised a direct sourcing function through a third-party partnership with a sourcing business based in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
• Set up a number of key 'rhythm of business' routines and processes, covering range and commercial
reviews and trade planning to establish an effective promotional plan.
• Acted as the board sponsor for the project to introduce Card Factory concessions into several of Office
Outlet's retail stores to drive incremental customers, sales and cash margin with a successful outcome
leading to an agreement rollout to over 50% of Office Outlet stores nationwide
• Supported the CEO and Finance Director through a successful CVA, MBO and business restructure.
planning, visual merchandise and commercial trading functions and a member of the senior leadership
team and operational board.
• Responsible for the retail trading P&L across both store and website sales channels, overseeing all
product sourcing, purchasing, retail pricing and lifecycle trading activity covering over £60m of annual
purchases, £45m of cash margin, 90 categories and 15,000 different individual products via UK
distribution and direct from manufacturers in the Far East.
• Also responsible for the ensuring the business had the right mix and amount of stock in the right
locations at the right time to maximise the sales and margin opportunity whilst manage the working
capital investment to support the business' cash flow requirements.
• Led a team of 22 including 2x 'Heads of' roles, Buyers, Visual Merchandisers, Merchandise Planners and associated support roles covering a wide range of commercial based responsibilities.
Key Achievements
• Reduced overall stock holding by 25% to improve working capital and reduce cash flow demands, whilst
maintaining >95% availability for sale of all products and the sell through of over £1.5m of legacy and obsolete stock to improve the overall aged profile of the stock holding.
• Introduced a Distribution Centre based consignment model with the company's largest stock supplier
(represents c40% of annual stock intake), reducing working capital by a further £1m and at the same
time allowing for further improved store and DC availability
• Finalised a direct sourcing function through a third-party partnership with a sourcing business based in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
• Set up a number of key 'rhythm of business' routines and processes, covering range and commercial
reviews and trade planning to establish an effective promotional plan.
• Acted as the board sponsor for the project to introduce Card Factory concessions into several of Office
Outlet's retail stores to drive incremental customers, sales and cash margin with a successful outcome
leading to an agreement rollout to over 50% of Office Outlet stores nationwide
• Supported the CEO and Finance Director through a successful CVA, MBO and business restructure.
Retail, Leadership, Finance, Sales, Sourcing, Website, Support, Ceo, Office, Working capital, Processes, UP, LED
2015 - 2018
job
Trading Director
Maplin Electronics.
Reporting to the Commercial Director and eventually the CEO (both Main Board roles), led the product
purchasing and commercial trading functions and was a member of the Maplin Operations Board and latterly the Executive Leadership Team.
• Led a team of 30 including 3x Heads of Buying, 1x Commercial Manager, plus Buyers, Assistant Buyers,
Trade Planner, B-2-B sales executives and the associated support roles covering a wide range of commercial based responsibilities.
• Responsible for the retail trading P&L across all sales channels (stores, web, B-2-B), overseeing all
product sourcing, purchasing and lifecycle trading activity with over £150m of annual purchases, £109m of cash margin and commercial income, covering over 80 categories and 16,000 different products
sourced via UK distribution, direct from the manufacturers and large volumes direct from factories in
the Far East.
• Accountable for all of Maplin's product purchasing and ranging strategy
• Also responsible for overseeing the Maplin Trade Planning, Commercial Services and B-2-B functions
Key Achievements
• Renegotiated with all UK suppliers to deliver an overall 4% cost of goods reduction across all UK sourced
product ranges and introduced new terms and conditions delivering improved overall terms for Maplin
(e.g. increased payment terms to release c£2m into annual cash flow by increasing average payments days from 42 to 54) (2016/17 and 2017/18).
• Resourced purchasing of many product ranges to direct far east sourcing delivering further 1% reduction
of annual total cost of goods for resale and increased direct far east sourced share of Maplin business
from 35% to 45% impacting the gross margin by +3% (2016/17 and 2017/18).
• Increased the amount of supplier revenues to support the margin by 15% LFL growth (2015/2016) and a large 77% LFL growth (2016/2017).
• Increased supplier revenue to support annual store manager conference by 100% in 2016 and a further
60% in 2017 to fully cover the cost of the event (£350k).
• Introduced multimillion £ retail price reductions to address customer value perception issues across key
core categories (e.g. cables, components) fully funded by cost savings initiatives above (2016)
• Relaunched key categories delivering significant sales, margin and market share growth in 2016 and
purchasing and commercial trading functions and was a member of the Maplin Operations Board and latterly the Executive Leadership Team.
• Led a team of 30 including 3x Heads of Buying, 1x Commercial Manager, plus Buyers, Assistant Buyers,
Trade Planner, B-2-B sales executives and the associated support roles covering a wide range of commercial based responsibilities.
• Responsible for the retail trading P&L across all sales channels (stores, web, B-2-B), overseeing all
product sourcing, purchasing and lifecycle trading activity with over £150m of annual purchases, £109m of cash margin and commercial income, covering over 80 categories and 16,000 different products
sourced via UK distribution, direct from the manufacturers and large volumes direct from factories in
the Far East.
• Accountable for all of Maplin's product purchasing and ranging strategy
• Also responsible for overseeing the Maplin Trade Planning, Commercial Services and B-2-B functions
Key Achievements
• Renegotiated with all UK suppliers to deliver an overall 4% cost of goods reduction across all UK sourced
product ranges and introduced new terms and conditions delivering improved overall terms for Maplin
(e.g. increased payment terms to release c£2m into annual cash flow by increasing average payments days from 42 to 54) (2016/17 and 2017/18).
• Resourced purchasing of many product ranges to direct far east sourcing delivering further 1% reduction
of annual total cost of goods for resale and increased direct far east sourced share of Maplin business
from 35% to 45% impacting the gross margin by +3% (2016/17 and 2017/18).
• Increased the amount of supplier revenues to support the margin by 15% LFL growth (2015/2016) and a large 77% LFL growth (2016/2017).
• Increased supplier revenue to support annual store manager conference by 100% in 2016 and a further
60% in 2017 to fully cover the cost of the event (£350k).
• Introduced multimillion £ retail price reductions to address customer value perception issues across key
core categories (e.g. cables, components) fully funded by cost savings initiatives above (2016)
• Relaunched key categories delivering significant sales, margin and market share growth in 2016 and
Retail, Operations, C, Leadership, Event, Sales, Sourcing, Growth, Support, Ceo, Web, Manager, LED
2009 - 2010
job
Category Director
Phones 4 U Limited.
Reporting directly to the Trading Director (Main Board role), responsible for the delivery of revenue and margin performance against company annual budget and short-term forecasts, covering categories
including Pay as You Go mobile phones, mobile broadband, media services, international PAYG SIMs and mobile phone accessories with annual sales revenues of c£150m
including Pay as You Go mobile phones, mobile broadband, media services, international PAYG SIMs and mobile phone accessories with annual sales revenues of c£150m
Budget, C, Sales, International, Accessories, Go
2008 - 2008
job
Head of Trading
MFI Retail Limited.
- Interim Position
• Short term contract reporting to the C.E.O, supporting the leadership team in several projects.
• Short term contract reporting to the C.E.O, supporting the leadership team in several projects.
C, Leadership, Interim
2007 - 2008
job
Commercial Director
Sports Loyalty Card Limited.
Reporting directly to the C.E.O. and leading a team of 10 which served the following wide-ranging
functions;
• Retailer and club client acquisition and account management, affinity group acquisition, marketing (B2B and B2C) and customer care
• Development of the strategic direction for all the above commercial functions during a period of significant corporate growth
• Delivery of company revenues and setting and achieving budgeted profit targets
• Development of commercial propositions and a senior point of contact for contract negotiations
functions;
• Retailer and club client acquisition and account management, affinity group acquisition, marketing (B2B and B2C) and customer care
• Development of the strategic direction for all the above commercial functions during a period of significant corporate growth
• Delivery of company revenues and setting and achieving budgeted profit targets
• Development of commercial propositions and a senior point of contact for contract negotiations
Marketing, B2B, Account management, B2C, C, Management, Growth, Development, Direction
My education
2004
-
2005
Henley Management College
N/a, N/a
N/a, N/a
1979
-
1986
Bushey Hall Comprehensive School
Secondary, DEVELOPMENT
Secondary, DEVELOPMENT
Ben's reviews
Ben has not received any reviews on Worksome.
Contact Ben Winter
Worksome removes the expensive intermediaries and gives you direct contact with relevant talent.
Create a login and get the opportunity to write to Ben directly in Worksome.
are ready to help you
and get specific bids from skilled talent in Denmark