Rachel Owen

Following a consulting methodology engaging key Business Stakeholders and Senior Executive Leaders, leading and guiding a team of Business Process Owners and Subject Matter Experts thru the Design to Delivery to Adoption of Process Transformation and Optimisation largely though technology enabled programmes of Transformation investment of $200m.

Currently leading ERP functional design and delivery for a market leading multi-national, multi category International Retailer

• This includes guiding Business leaders toward improved organisational structures and better solutions for identified problems
• Encouraging development of clear objectives with action plans, aligning process and functIonal design decisions to those objectives
• Focusing on process optimisation, delivering changes to unlock new capability with improved ways of working aligned to corporate strategy and objectives
• managing and collaborating with multi functional teams both onsite and remote thru Selection, Design, Build, Test, Cutover and Go Live phases

Most recently guiding and advising a new programme for replacement of end to end Finance ERP.

• Working closely with Finance experts to maximise business process enhancement , standardisation and efficiencies

In addition, successfully leading the functional design and implementation for Oracle Retail (Merchandise and Store), Blue Yonder Retail Planning, Pricing Suite and Supply Chain Optimisation Solutions and IBM Order Management

• Using a Business Led Methodology, to date, led the functional implementation for 10 Business Units

Directing and guiding functional design for replacement of warehouse management processes and systems with implementation of Blue Yonder WMS

• To date, migrated 2 local market distribution centres and the largest Regional DC completed in Nov 2024

Managing a team of 40 responsible for an annual turnover of > $170m the role included

• Buying and Merchandise Strategy , execution and delivery
• Planning and managing end to end OTB to Supply chain
• Owned Trading and Marketing strategy
• Decided Brand and Product offering supported by Space planning to maximise Sales and Margin
• Led tight control on costs to maximise Business unit profitability realising 20% savings in FY2017
• Introduced >60 new brands to product offering to maximise choice and appeal for Customer
• Drove 30% reduction in aged stock increasing stock turn

• Full P&L management of Jack Wills and Express brands
• Direct management of Planning, Buying, Marketing, Visual Merchandising and Store Operations
• Introduced improvements to Merchandise and Buying processes
• Increased Sales Margin exceeding budgets for both Brands in FY16

Managing and leading a team of 90, merchandise planning function, responsible for an annual turnover of R5.8bn.

• Established new processes and improvements to ways of working leveraging best practice

Focusing on Merchandising the role was to implement new processes for Merchandise Financial Planning

• Led Oracle MFP implementation and adoption
• Led project to enhance Allocation processes supported by Oracle Allocation.

Responsible for a team of 15 setting Merchandising strategy, delivery and execution

Managed a team of 16 and a turnover £150m

• Responsible for Merchandising Strategy and execution

Managing a team of 25 responsible for Merchandising Strategy and Execution

• Established Merchandise Planning with introduction of WSSI and enhancements to Assortment Planning

Managed a team of 15 responsible for a turnover of £300m

• Exceeded sales and margin targets
• Reduced spend on Markdown by 5% pts
• Reduced Terminal stock -15% below budget

Managed a team of 28 responsible for turnover of £350m

• Introduced Merchandise Planning and Assortment best practice and process enhancement

First roles in Retail, working in an energetic, rapidly growing young brand. Unrivalled opportunity to learn and establish a strong Merchandising, Supply Chain and Buying skillset. Developed from Allocator to Buying&Merchandising Manager.