John O'Brien

Brand 2 Consumer

City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

About

Experience

  • Director at Brand 2 Consumer
    Dec 2014 - Present · 11 yrs 7 mos

  • C.E.O at Multiserv Pty (Ltd)
    Jan 2013 - Nov 2013 · 11 mos

    Strategy Finance Implementation

  • Chief Customer officer at Premier Foods
    May 2003 - Oct 2011 · 8 yrs 6 mos

    Responsible for the Sales and Marketing divisions of the company. Key Tasks • As above plus; • To set and implement a new marketing strategy in order to grow profitable sales. • To restructure the Marketing team in order to maximize the effect of the new strategy. • To identify a long term plan with partners on Snowflake and Ble Ribbon Bread brands. • Responsible for the Redesign of Premiers Bread packaging. Non Key task achievements • Handled many key negotiations with outsource partners in order to rectify excessive costs. • Initiated a Mobile customer invoicing system in order to achieve the strategy. • Was appointed to the board, which I am still a part of. • Developed and implemented a robust pricing system in order to increase margin. • Developed, negotiated and implemented a telephony third party agreement in order to be able to communicate with our more than 30,000 informal trade customers at a minimal cost to Premier foods. • Helped negotiate Premiers entrance into the Airtime starter pack and RICA industry. • Implemented and ran the Airtime starter pack and RICA business for Premier.

  • Operations Executive at Incredible Connection
    Apr 1998 - Aug 2000 · 2 yrs 5 mos

    Responsible for the Operations function for the retail division. Responsible for new store analysis, feasibility and opening. Key Tasks • Set and motivate detailed departmental budgets for all stores and implement. • Grow all areas under my portfolio and hit sales budgets as laid down in the set budgets. • Potentialise opportunity areas within my control in order maximize return on investment. • Set and ensure that housekeeping standards are optimal, creating a clean environment for our clients to shop in. • Developed and rolled out standard merchandising standards in conjunction with the chain merchandise manager to ensure that our stores are fun, functional and generally and experience to shop in. • Analyze each area within the stores to ensure that trading densities are optimal and action out of line areas. • Implement and drive all promotional activity in order to maximize sales of product over these periods in line with Chain marketing initiatives. • Set up and co-ordinate functions and internal promotions within the stores in order to grow and or maximize stores. • Review all lines that the merchandise department proposes to procure, and decide on quantities based on the various demographic features of stores. • Initiated security procedures across all stores to maximize profits. • Motivate, grow, manage and where necessary discipline staff in all aspects of staff interactions. • Deal with and resolve any industrial relations related actions that take place in a swift and empathetic manner. • Maximize profits through management of controllable costs and expenses. • Ensure the consistency of the Incredible Connection brand at store level through all areas of the operations function and increase the level of self -service.