Linda O Brien
Limerick
Summary
Retail management professional with experience overseeing daily store operations, controlling costs, and improving profit performance. Focus on customer satisfaction through consistent service standards and issue resolution. Strong record of coaching staff to improve performance and productivity.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Retail Operations Director
Uniphar Wholesale
Dublin, Ireland
2023.11 - 2026.07
- Managed operational and financial performance across 138 owned pharmacies (Allcare, Hickey's, McCauley) to optimise service delivery.
- Led operations managers, area managers, and stores to hit KPIs.
- Build and develop a motivated, engaged operations team across the network.
- Deliver retail operations plan to keep customer and colleague experience consistent.
- Executed capex and refit programme across retail network to support strategic growth initiatives.
- Coordinated with support office teams to enhance pharmacy offerings based on customer needs.
- Maintained consistent pharmacy operations across all brands.
- Integrate new pharmacies into the owned network efficiently.
- Control payroll budgets and support time and attendance system rollout.
Retail Operations Manager
Hickeys Pharmacy
Dublin, Ireland
2021.02 - 2023.11
- Direct store profitability, service standards and colleague productivity.
- Coordinated daily retail sales performance across 38 pharmacy locations to optimise revenue generation.
- Monitored customer service standards to ensure excellence
- Supported integration of pharmacy business into Uniphar retail network, enhancing operational alignment.
- Guided transition from owner-operator model to PLC structure, facilitating smoother operational integration.
Head of Sales & Operations
Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare
Dublin, Ireland
2018.07 - 2021.02
- Directed daily operations across 90-pharmacy retail chain to meet commercial targets.
- Delivered retail and healthcare strategy guidance to area managers and stores.
- Identified operational bottlenecks, piloted in-store services, and streamlined dispensary workflows to enhance service delivery.
- Collaborated with support office teams to enhance operational efficiency. , area managers and superintendent pharmacist to roll out operational change
- Ensure that stores adhere to legal clinical and regulatory frameworks while maintaining high standards of customer and patient care
- Organised training programmes for new hires, enabling them to develop essential skills and knowledge for their roles.
Area Manager
Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare
Dublin, Ireland
2014.03 - 2018.07
- Managed day-to-day operations, customer service quality, and regulatory compliance across stores.
- Managed wage budgets effectively across multiple stores to ensure financial stability., ensured store profitability, and monitored daily costs.
- Drove sales growth by executing promotions, conducting pricing checks, and coaching staff on best practices.
- Implemented retail promotions, managed inventory levels, and pursued local opportunities.
- Coached and mentored store and pharmacy managers for consistent standards.
- Motivated sales staff to improve strategies through competitions and coaching plans.
- Evaluated employee performance, identified high potentials, and planned succession roles.
- Supported recruitment and reviewed team performance against expectations.
- Recruited and hired top talent across multiple functions.
- Fostered positive working environment to enhance colleague engagement and customer satisfaction.
- Served as primary contact for addressing operational issues within the area to streamline communication. of contact for operational issues within the area.
- Addressed operational issues promptly to maintain smooth store operations and customer satisfaction. and efficiently to keep stores running smoothly.
- Compiled detailed area-performance reports to inform senior management decisions.
- Analysed market trends to spot business growth and competitive advantages.
Best Practice Coach
Lloyds Pharmacy
Dublin, Ireland
2012.01 - 2014.03
- Coached team members on the sales floor using GROW model frameworks, fostering daily learning and engagement.
- Rolled out best-practice projects across designated store locations with structured delivery.
- Identified improvement details and prepared findings for actionable store-level implementation.
- Mapped skill and performance gaps across teams and deployed corrective actions.
- Trained and upskilled colleagues to support brand customer-care strategy delivery.
- Coordinated with external specialists on time-and-motion study observations, enhancing operational insights for retail.
- Improved dispensary accuracy, patient consultation, and over-the-counter product knowledge.
- Completed routine mock audits and best-practice reviews for governance readiness.
Pharmacy Store Manager
Lloyds Pharmacy , William St
Limerick , Ireland
Pharmacy Store Manager
Lloyds Pharmacy , Parkway Sc
Limerick , Ireland
Pharmacy Assistant Manager
Lloyds Pharmacy, Jetland Sc
Limerick , Ireland
Lancome Counter Manager
Lloyds Pharmacy , Shannon
Clare , Ireland
Education
Degree Science
Limerick Institute of Technology
Limerick , Ireland Skills
- Regulatory compliance
- Operational strategy
- Financial oversight
- Inventory management
- Sales analysis
- Project management
- Process improvement
- Change management
- Customer relationship management
- Customer service
- Employee training
- Performance coaching
- Team building
- Problem resolution
- Store management
- Communication skills
- Strategic leadership
References
- Amanda Walsh , Head of HR , Uniphar Wholesale , Kingswood, Dublin 087 102 7070
- Louise Martin , Retail Lead , Uniphar Wholesale , 087 289 1318
- Emily Kelly MPSI , Uniphar Wholesale , 087 744 3590
Timeline
Retail Operations Director
Uniphar Wholesale
2023.11 - 2026.07
Retail Operations Manager
Hickeys Pharmacy
2021.02 - 2023.11
Head of Sales & Operations
Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare
2018.07 - 2021.02
Area Manager
Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare
2014.03 - 2018.07
Best Practice Coach
Lloyds Pharmacy
2012.01 - 2014.03
Pharmacy Store Manager
Lloyds Pharmacy , William St
Pharmacy Store Manager
Lloyds Pharmacy , Parkway Sc
Pharmacy Assistant Manager
Lloyds Pharmacy, Jetland Sc
Lancome Counter Manager
Lloyds Pharmacy , Shannon
Degree Science
Limerick Institute of Technology