Retail Operations Manager with International Experience

1. Amanda Sheldon
Sheldon.Hakim@gmail.com
UAE: +971 052 522 5064
MANAGER RETAIL OPERATIONS
∞∞∞
Retail Management - People Development - Strategic Excellence
15 years of proven leadership, increasing brand value, as well as human and financial
success
Employers value my abilities in:
• Leadership • Communication
• Operational Efficiency • Talent Cultivation
• Brand Integration • Multi Market Development
• Strategic Execution • Diversity Workplace Skill
Professional Philosophy:
“As a Leader, it’s a major responsibility on your shoulders to practice the behavior you want
others to follow.” -- Himanshu Bhatia,
EXPERIENCE SUMMARY
RETAIL OPERATIONS MANAGER
Dubai, UAE June 2015- Present
AGI BRANDS LLC
• Operations Manager overseeing 2 Brands across KSA, Kuwait, Oman, QATAR, UAE
• Oversaw launch of USA Fashion Accessories Retailer- Charming Charlie, in 1st
month in
role. Successfully opened 4 stores in 2 regions within 9 months
• Responsible for the transition of USA Retailer- NAUTICA, from previous franchise partner.
Successfully opened 4 stores in 2 months and have supported Operations team in KSA
with 3 existing stores
• Performed essential functions like interviewing staff, performance reviews, as well as
provided training programs to new retail staff
• Played a key role in procurement of VM, Packaging, and store fixtures for both Brands
• Retained company top talent through integration into UAE locations and Head Office
• Ensured high level of visual and marketing presentation standards across all stores were in
line with company expectations
• Maximized profitability through sales generation and increased Conversion from 16% to
22% Brand average within 6 months
• Set monthly Business Targets across all locations to deliver on company expectations
1

2. Amanda Sheldon
Sheldon.Hakim@gmail.com
UAE: +971 052 522 5064
• Increased Customer Satisfaction score by 10% through concentrated customer service
training and performance shadowing
AREA MANAGER, POTTERY BARN KIDS
Toronto, ON January 2014- January 2015
• Area Manager of Pottery Barn Kids- Canada, supporting 3 Toronto Locations & 1
Montreal Location. Total volume $15.8 million
• Implemented strategic plan to increase profitability and develop a productivity driven,
loyal team in Top volume location
• Built relationship with Warehouse team to improve efficiency and reduce costs through
monthly meeting and review of reporting
• Increased store footfall with by establishing rapport with local businesses and customers
• Responsible for training store manager for future global PBK location- Manila, Philippines
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER- HOME FURNISHINGS DIVISION
M.H. Alshaya, Co.
2013 6 month assignment
A newly created position, reporting to Director of Retail Operations
Developing Home Furnishing Division (HFD) Standard Operational Procedures:
o Operational Compliance
o Store Opening
o Audit Training
o Loss Prevention Training
Additional contributions:
• Collaboration with Audit Department to ensure Division compliance within corporate
• Liaison with logistics, merchandising, marketing, etc. to ensure brand specific needs are
met proactively
• Coordinated departments to develop and implement strategies to increase individual
brand visibility and market share
• Created new divisional initiative, ‘Design Trade Program’, an incentive scheme to reward
third party designers for referrals
• Created visual and merchandising standards to drive measurable sales results
• Ongoing recommendations to Director for cost efficiencies
• Responsible for weekly communication from division to stores
2

3. Amanda Sheldon
Sheldon.Hakim@gmail.com
UAE: +971 052 522 5064
• Lead ‘Store Opening’ operational functions for:
o West Elm and Pottery Barn Kids Beirut, Lebanon
o West Elm and Pottery Barn Kids, Jeddah, KSA
OPERATIONS MANAGER- NORTHERN GULF REGION
M.H. Alshaya, Co.
Kuwait/ Lebanon/ Bahrain
2011 – 2013
• Responsible for bottom line of five Home Furnishing brands; Pottery Barn, PBTeen, Pottery
Barn Kids, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma
• Consistent Increase of ‘Like for Like’ sales revenue in region
• Achieved Division’s highest multi-brand conversion rate 28% (+12% on Company avg.)
• Member of initial team selected to expand Williams-Sonoma Inc. (WSI) to Middle East
• Oversaw opening of 6 locations in Kuwait and Lebanon
• Accomplishments included:
o Created brand training materials and store staffing structures
o Recruited, hiring and training of employees
o Liaised with IT and Property Management for timely completion of store set up
o On site management of visual and product roll out prior to openings
o Solicited feedback from customer base to ensure brand was relevant ‘in market’
o Mentored store managers to develop Quarterly Action Plans to achieve annual
sales and margin goals
o Created staff development and structured succession plan procedures for each
manager and store associate
GENERAL MANAGER, POTTERYBARN KIDS
Kuwait Flagship, M.H. Alshaya, Co.
2010 – 2011
• General Store Manager of 1st
retail flagship location in Kuwait. Annual turnover of
US$6million in top line sales
• Consistently achieved divisional top marks in company customer service scores
• Recruited, hired and trained 30 employees in market without prior brand awareness
• Represented WSI as Brand Ambassador, Pottery Barn Kids in corporate partnership
3

4. Amanda Sheldon
Sheldon.Hakim@gmail.com
UAE: +971 052 522 5064
• Lead visual design and display at first Pottery Barn Kids location, Dubai, U.A.E.
• Assisted with recruitment of 70 employees for Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids in Riyadh
and Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - a unique career experience due to regional
gender restrictions
GENERAL MANAGER, POTTERY BARN KIDS
Toronto, ON 2007- 2009
• General Store Manager of Toronto Flagship location, annual revenueCA$2.5 million
• Took over underperforming location, navigated through period of global economic
downturn, returned store to profitability and developed a loyal team
• Increased store footfall with by establishing rapport with local businesses and customers
• Chosen to lead international expansion in the Middle East Market for Pottery Barn Kids
BOUTIQUE JACOB INC.
Toronto, ON, 1999 – 2007
• Store manager of 6 locations in Toronto Region for Canadian Women’s Fashion Retailer-
BOUTIQUE JACOB. (Boutique Jacob, Inc: Founded in 1977, this is a privately owned
Canadian women's and girls' clothing store chain. Jacob stores numbered over 200
across Canada.)
• Distinguished as the youngest Store Manager of Jacob Jr. Canada at the age of 19
• Hired and trained seasonal staff on all product knowledge and customer service
standards
• Ensured wage costs and staff productivity were aligned to company targets through
weekly review and coaching
• Organized and executed Fall Fashion Show 2005 to build brand awareness and
generate revenue
• Managed two locations simultaneously; Jacob Connexion and Jacob, Sherway Gardens
CONTINUING EDUCATION & TRAINING
• Graduated 1998- OSS Diploma - Scarlett Heights Academy, Toronto Canada.
• Actively sought opportunities to attend managerial and self development trainings
through WSI as well as Alshaya, these included:
o Business Acumen, Respectful Workplace, Health and Safety Certification, Peer
Mediation, Results through Other, Performance Management, Human Resource
Processes.
• Gallup Organization Strength-Finder®/ Myers- Briggs/ CPI260
• Strategic Coach, Goal Setting and Communication Styles
4

5. Amanda Sheldon
Sheldon.Hakim@gmail.com
UAE: +971 052 522 5064
STRENGTHS
Interpersonal Understanding
Conceptual Thinking
Initiative & Flexibility
People Development
International Experience
5

6. Amanda Sheldon
Sheldon.Hakim@gmail.com
UAE: +971 052 522 5064
STRENGTHS
Interpersonal Understanding
Conceptual Thinking
Initiative & Flexibility
People Development
International Experience
5