Damian Ward
Kildare Town
Summary
Retail manager with extensive experience at Applegreen plc, specialising in inventory management and team leadership. Successfully revitalised underperforming stores, resulting in increased customer satisfaction through targeted training and communication strategies. Skilled in operational budgeting and driving sales growth while promoting a collaborative team environment.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Store manager
Applegreen plc
04.2009 - Current
- Store manager April 2009 -sept 2009
- In September 2009, I became the licensee of the business in the Naas store for four years, which was shut down and revamped in March of that year.
- And then moved to the Enfield East Motorway to gain experience managing a bigger site with over 55 staff for one year before moving onto Rathnew, County Wicklow, to an underperforming store to bring it back in line in 2015-2016.
- Managed daily operations of busy convenience store environment.
- Led and trained staff to enhance customer service skills.
- Oversaw inventory management and ensured stock availability.
- Implemented safety protocols to maintain a secure store environment.
- Then moving to Tullamore, Co. Offaly, in May 2016-2026.
Manager
2wo Seasons
Naas
02.2005 - 02.2009
- Here I was Manager of a large store (13,500sq feet) selling seasonal lines, (e.g. indoor/out-door furniture, barbeques, gazebos, Halloween and Christmas stock).
- In this capacity, I was directly responsible for a team of 25.
- My main duties included: overall running of the store, sales and wages budgets, stock and ordering, interviewing staff, staff training (in customer service, security training, till operations, and back-stores etc.)
- I have also been mentoring staff and I have conducted performance appraisals on a regular basis.
- This has enabled me to be closer to those on my team, and I have fostered an ‘open door policy’ to my management.
- I have also, implemented marketing of the company in its infancy.
- In addition, I worked as a Liaison Officer with the Retail Park Manager and communicating with other stores there.
- My combined experience in larger retail outlets and management in 2wo Seasons shows that I am not only adaptable and resourceful, but I am suited to working in any retail environment.
Assistant Manager
Superquinn
01.2001 - 01.2005
- Main duties and responsibilities include: Customer Care: within this I deal with customer complaints on a one-to-one basis, and strive to satisfy their needs.
- This involves negotiation and listening skills/problem solving on the spot for best resolution.
- Wages & Margins: also as part of my role as a senior duty manager/assistant manager I maintain budget objectives, and monitor wage targets set down by the company, on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
- Staff Motivation: the aim of this is to inspire colleagues to work on their own initiative; the benefits of this are two fold individual achievement/job satisfaction, and company success.
- Primarily this is achieved through communication, team building and motivating colleagues on an individual and group basis.
- A large Irish retail organisation renowned for fresh food and customer service.
Junior Manager
Superquinn
01.1997 - 01.2001
- Responsibilities for staff rota’s and running the self-service and shop floor department.
- Also I was responsible for marketing signage within the shop.
- A large Irish retail organisation renowned for fresh food and customer service.
Department Manager
Superquinn
01.1996 - 01.1997
- Main roles and responsibilities included: All of the above on a smaller scale on a departmental level as opposed to the overall shop.
- A large Irish retail organisation renowned for fresh food and customer service.
Stock Controller
Superquinn
01.1993 - 01.1995
- Whilst in this capacity I was in charge of ensuring stock levels were maintained to customer satisfaction.
- As part of this role I had to attempt to minimise company waste and in turn to increase overall company profit.
- In addition to this I would have engaged daily with suppliers and negotiated with them for best value.
- A large Irish retail organisation renowned for fresh food and customer service.
Sales Assistant
Superquinn
01.1989 - 01.1993
- This was a general position I occupied as sales assistance and customer service.
- A large Irish retail organisation renowned for fresh food and customer service.
Education
Certificate - Supervisory Management, Food Handling
Griffith College Dublin
01.1997
Leaving Certificate -
Christen Brothers Secondary School
Naas, Co. Kildare01.1987
Skills
- Inventory management and stock control
- Sales forecasting and budget administration
- Staff training and development
- Visual merchandising and store displays
- Customer relationship management
- Team leadership and conflict resolution
- Effective communication skills
- Problem solving and decision making
- Time management and prioritization
- Safety protocols and compliance
- Performance appraisal and feedback
- Operational strategy and project management
- Cash handling and accurate money handling
- Employee scheduling and shift checklists
- Strategic planning and risk management
- Recruitment and hiring processes
- Policies and procedures implementation
- Team building and coaching strategies
References
Available on request.
Training
- Management Course
- Leadership skills
- Budgeting for a Business & setting up business plans
- Computing course in Management Information Systems
- Personal Development
- Food preparation & Handling - HACCP
- Security Training
- Introduction to Human Resources
- Waste margin management
- Labour management and managing the process
- Occupational First Aid (trained in de-fibulator)
- Fork-lift License Holder
- Fire safety training
- Fuel management
- Road management with the NRA
Other Relevant Experience
- Conducted a significant number of interviews for assistant managers, supervisors, sales assistance.
- Invited to speak to transition year students and Leaving Certificate Applied students on careers in retail.
- Involved in security of sports people, driving of VIPs, and organizing corporate events.
Timeline
Store manager
Applegreen plc
04.2009 - Current
Manager
2wo Seasons
02.2005 - 02.2009
Assistant Manager
Superquinn
01.2001 - 01.2005
Junior Manager
Superquinn
01.1997 - 01.2001
Department Manager
Superquinn
01.1996 - 01.1997
Stock Controller
Superquinn
01.1993 - 01.1995
Sales Assistant
Superquinn
01.1989 - 01.1993
Certificate - Supervisory Management, Food Handling
Griffith College Dublin
Leaving Certificate -
Christen Brothers Secondary School