Stephen Walker is an experienced Operations Manager with over 35 years in retail management roles. He has a proven track record of exceeding targets and leading large teams to achieve budget objectives. His key skills include leadership, communication, analysis, problem solving, financial control, customer focus, and time management. His career history includes roles as Operations Manager for Co-operative Food managing 20 stores ranging from 2000-13,000 sq ft, Store Manager roles of increasing responsibility at Co-operative Food from 1980-2002, and he was awarded Store Manager of the Year in 1996.

1. Stephen Walker
6 Mayflower Close, Glossop, Derbyshire, SK13 8UD
Home 014578 58366 Mobile 07736 211397
Profile
A self-motivated, focused and enthusiastic Operations Manager with over 35 years’ experience in
various retail roles, managing a range of stores from 2000-25000sqr ft. A proven track record of
exceeding targets in both store and field management and of leading and motivating large teams to
exceed budget objectives. Passionate about delivering an excellent customer experience in all stores
by analysing data, coaching managers and listening to customers.
Key Skills
• Leadership - takes responsibility for the team by coaching, developing, and driving the team
to achieve results.
• Communication – communicates effectively at all levels and provides team with clear
direction with appropriate support.
• Analytical - ability to analyse complex management information to identify issues/areas for
improvements
• Effective problem solving - with the ability to understand underlying issues and develop
appropriate solutions.
• Financial Control Drive for results – motivate the team to achieve and exceed on business
objectives through the demonstration of personal commitment and drive.
• Customer focus - the ambition to look for improvements in driving great customer service.
• Time Management…..
Career History
Operations Manager, Co-operative Food 2002 - present
Responsible for 20 stores, which includes 2 petrol sites and 2 post offices. The area consists of stores
ranging from 2000 Sq. Ft to 13,000 sq. Ft; average turnover for the area £820k per week. Achieving
profit, sales, and colleague engagement.
• Led the teams through a programme to simplify and streamline standards, therefore
increasing productivity in stores throughout 2014; achieved by coaching and supporting
store managers through the change process. This enabled stores to work more efficiently,
reducing labour by an average 15%, with associating cost saving of £250K.
• Promoted and led an ongoing culture of cost management ensuring stores controllable
costs were delivered to budget, by identifying opportunities to reduce costs without
compromising the customer offer. This was achieved by sharing responsibility for KPIs
around the team, adopting best practise, restructuring and supporting managers not
delivering results.
• I managed a working group who engaged with central functions and store managers,
focusing on range and space in order to reduce waste in all areas.
• Delivered staff engagement 5 points higher than the business average through listening
groups, setting action plans and delivering on promises.
• Built a network of relationships with communities, attending schools with the store teams
to teach children about the unique business model of the Co-operative and Fairtrade values.

2. Store Manager – Wythenshawe, Co-operative Food 2000 – 2002
Managed the largest food store in the Co-operative, responsible for over 100 staff with a turnover of
£300k. The store product range was Food, Non-food, Electrical and Furniture.
• Delivered a 10% like for like sales increase by focusing on availability, promotional activity
and customer service
• Piloted the first home delivery service for the business and project led the initial ordering of
equipment, staff training and promotional activity. Upon leaving the store it was doing over
300 deliveries a week.
Store Manager – Failsworth, Co-operative Food 1994 – 2000
• Awarded Store Manager of the year in 1996 for delivering the most profitable, sales and cost
control in the large store estate.
• Continued to build on sales and profitability annually until the store was compulsory
purchased in 2000
• Achieve Investors in people
Store Manager – Large Stores, Co-operative Food 1987-1994
• Managed various stores ranging from 10,000 Sq. ft. to 20,000 Sq. ft., consistently delivering
sales and profit targets
Assistant Store Manager – Large Stores, Co-operative Food 1983-1987
• Moved to Assistant Manager in a large store to broaden knowledge and experience
Store Manager - Convenience Stores, Co-operative Food 1980-1983
• Managed a number of convenience stores of varying sizes
Training and Education
5 GCSEs -
Interests
I enjoy spending time with my family watching any type of sport and enjoy holidays abroad. I also
enjoy playing 5 a side football on a weekly basis