Michelle Anstee

Purchased by JD Sports in early 2012 Blacks is the UK’s largest outdoor retailer with an annual turnover of £120m, trading through 160 stores under Blacks and Millets fascias. • Delivery of camping catalogue from conception to store, including online, press and window campaign activity. • 90% staff retention pre and post administration. • 100% delivery record on SS13 stock post administration by maintaining professional and effective relationships with all key suppliers. • Managing a team of 10, I am responsible for understanding the customer requirement to improve product offering – brand and own brand across walking accessories & gift and camping categories (including outdoor living) £18m at retail. • Leading the product strategy and buying team to develop, manage, source and select balanced and cohesive ranges that deliver the strategic and financial requirements of the Category. • Work closely with the buying teams to review sketches, prototypes and samples to deliver the agreed product quality.

• Managing a team of 14, responsible for devising and implementation of product strategy across footwear, rucksacks & bags, walking accessories & gift and camping categories - £53m at retail. • Ensuring ranges are cohesive across all categories. • Maintaining professional and effective relationships with all key suppliers and actively seeking new brand opportunities. • Developing manufacturing resources, UK and overseas, to identify strengths, weaknesses and potential. • Minimising costs associated with flow of stock throughout supply chain. • Negotiate margin based upon knowledge of cost price makeup.

• Achieving 5.8% intake margin growth on a new product category through competitive sourcing and strong negotiation skills. • BLG Buyer of the Year 2010 • Delivering a +24% growth season on season. • Entry onto the BLG Management Development Programme. • Project Management of the new range launch (across all categories) from intake to store launch. • Managing a team of 4 responsible for Footwear departments for Blacks & Millets fascia’s £60m+ annual turnover at retail. • Development of OB footwear from conception through to commercialisation. • Member of project team tasked with reviewing freight forwarding throughout the business, leading to implementation of new processes.

• Achieving a 7% cost price reduction season on season by resourcing core fabric ranges to a consolidated supply base to deliver better quality and improved pricing. • Additional responsibility for development of the branded Board-wear ranges in the Blacks Out of Town Stores (BOOT). growing the range from 12 stores to 111 stores with a turnover of £1.2m. • Responsible for Fleece, Knitwear & Woven departments for Blacks & Millets fascia’s £30m+ turnover. • The development of exclusive ranges that, are competitive in terms of price, fabric and additional product benefits. • Management of own brand supply base, refocused design and specialised manufacture/design resource. • Management of the supply chain/critical path from design conception to delivery into the DC.

• Management of Buying team. • Developing and sourcing of Own Brand product. • Purchasing and management of relationships of key Outdoor brands such as TNF, Berghaus, Columbia, etc.. • Visiting trade fairs such as PV, Texworld, ISPO and Friedrichshafen. • Extensive travel though UK, Europe and Asia Pacific. • Responsible for increasing and delivering intake margin growth, whilst maintaining quality and on time delivery. • Management of diverse global supply base sourcing in excess of 1 million pieces per year. • Ensuring good quality product through management of fit and technical specifications. • Range building/budget sign off of 5 ranges per season.

Created in 1981, Regatta Ltd is a privately held outdoor and adventure clothing brand who make high quality and great value outdoor gear for the whole family. Based in Manchester and exporting to over 54 countries worldwide with an annual turnover of £60m. • Responsible for managing a team of 6 people to source and deliver the Regatta Women’s wear range. • Negotiation of product prices including extensive Far East travel. Consistently beating target buying prices. • Sourcing garment factories, ensuring new and existing suppliers met Ethical Trading Standards. • Development of trim and accessory materials for the entire Regatta range. • Key member of management team responsible for the strategic objective and departmental business plan. • Implementation of product management system.

• Operational management of Far Eastern suppliers. • Ensuring on time delivery for salesman samples - consistently met/ exceeded 95% targets. • Negotiating prices both initial and follow up. • Raising purchase orders and order amendments, ensuring data quality at all times. • Controlling shipment of orders through Critical Path system – exceeding 95% target. • Creation and sign off of Letters of Credit. • Management of raw material forecasts.

Joining Regatta in July 96; my career quickly progressed through the positions as detailed below leading me into my management role: Production Controller – Men’s Wear (06/99 – 10/00) Junior Buyer – Waterproof Buying Team (02/98 – 06/99) Assistant Buyer/ Merchandiser – Non-waterproof Buying Team (04/97 – 02/98) Buying Office Trainee – Non-waterproof Buying Team (07/96 – 04/97)