Emma Dowding

• Created and defined the product proposition and ranging principles across all product categories (Building Materials, Timber, Kitchens & Bathrooms, Plumbing & Heating, Electrical, Painting & Decorating, Tools & Equipment and Workwear) to ensure that the price, product specification and depth of range were commercially profitable and customer focused with the most efficient SKU base. • Led and implemented buying activities and negotiations for all Plumbing & Heating, Electrical, Tools & Equipment, Workwear, Timber and Kitchens & Bathrooms categories (3,500 SKUs, £1.5m spend) in order to achieve an engineered supplier base tailored to increase end to end cost to serve and supplier efficiency • Developed a good understanding of the technologies relevant to digital marketing, in particular web platforms and social platforms by optimising range and selling information for multichannel business • Worked in conjunction with marketing, IT and operations teams to develop new IT system, efficient store processes and maximise product data. • Increased product & supply chain knowledge across all merchant category products • Managed, recruited and developed a mixture of temporary and permanent staff (1-3 employees at a time) to ensure we had enough resource to achieve the project plan

• Led NPD (New Product Development) projects by owning supplier interactions and discussions, creating briefs, forecasting financial benefit and analysing tenders. • Worked in conjunction with buying teams on cost reduction programmes to ensure products were commercially viable yet tailored to our customer in terms of specification. Significant COGs reduction achieved on brassware by finding the right balance between cost reductions vs. de-specing. • Identified key gaps and opportunities in the product offering by reviewing competitors and keeping up to date with industry news through market reports and analysing sales data to optimise sales and profitability. Gaps identified included lighting and aids for the inclusive market which led to the creation of NPD projects • Reviewed sales and margins to identify weak products which in turn led to discontinuations or cost reduction projects • Proposed and created category plans for the business units including substantial projects on Bathroom Furniture, Brassware and Shower Controls • Liaised and managed multiple stakeholders including our internal customers; Wickes, F&P, PTS and iflo and internal direct sourcing team in China which honed and improved my influencing skills • Managed and maintained strong commercial and contractual relationships with third party suppliers and partners in order to resolve issues and get support on new products

• Monitored and analysed product performance to identify trends for volume and margin growth • Identified new product opportunities and areas for rationalisation • Generated new product briefs complete with forecast volumes, prices and margins • Reviewed and tracked NPD projects to ensure product launches were kept to schedule • Created new product pricing and reviewed current pricing strategy to ensure it was competitive (once trade discounts are applied) and profitable • Reviewed competitor products and undertook gap analysis to establish market trends • Ensured external and internal product information and communication including brochures, roadshow packs and photography sets were correct and proofed

• Involved with product development and new product launches • Compiled weekly and periodical kitchen, inclusive kitchens and bathrooms sales reports for circulation within the business • Provided product information and sales analysis for ad hoc requests which improved my excel proficiency • Collated and reviewed competitor product and benchmarking information to support the launch of new products and monitor competitor activity • Created and maintained launch documents • Proofed and updated internal and external marketing documentation including product specifications and website content which increased my accuracy and attention to detail • Maintained marketing displays in head office