Robert Tiffin
Integrated Business Planning Director
Eagle
Summary
Board-level professional with 20 years of experience in sourcing and stock management for domestic, FE, and branded products. Expertise in end-to-end product development across diverse industries, including electrical products, sports equipment, clothing, and shoes. Excels in negotiations and actively participates in tasks to drive success. Adopts an entrepreneurial style by outlining clear plans and pushing boundaries to contribute to overall company or investor strategy. Dynamic Director overseeing every facet of an organization with strong project management and decision-making skills. Results-driven leader with a strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with a focus on fostering a productive and positive team culture. Knowledgeable [Desired Position] with a proven history of leading high-performing teams and executing strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth. Successfully directed cross-functional projects resulting in significant process improvements and operational efficiencies. Demonstrating leadership and communication skills in fostering collaborative environments and delivering impactful results.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Integrated Business Planning Director
Wehkamp BV
Zwolle, Netherlands
06.2021 - Current
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Increased company revenue by streamlining processes and implementing cost-saving measures.
- Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
Director
R Tiffin Ltd
Lincoln, Lincolnshire
01.2020 - 06.2021
- Consulting and managing strategic business plans in conjunction with board of Directors
- Create and Implement key business initiatives
- Build 5 year plans focusing on growth
- Stock management through a clear stock plan
- Build far east sourcing capabilities including setting up sourcing offices
- Expansion through growth, to include new territories/categories
- Onboard/manage 3rd party software and training programs to increase sales/margin
- Cost efficiency plans covering software, stock, supplier management
Commercial Director
Mobilefun Ltd
11.2018 - 01.2020
- Realigned the day to day work to focus on commercial decision making
- Introduced customer first thinking
- Built training programs and people management tools
- Delivering long term savings by streamlining shipping process, Improve Amazon processes to reduce down time and optimize sales
- Introduce new payment methods to open up more customers to our sites
- Set new supplier terms and conditions plus improve relationships through honest communication
- Delivered cross functional working bringing together our international and UK teams
- Key successes: -
- Supplier terms – reduced supplier base and introduced supplier terms to improve performance with delivery accuracy improving by 35% and availability by 18%
- Process – changed and aligned processes across the business to increase efficiency and communication
- Cost efficiency – Save 25% on shipping costs on products sourced through our China office
- People – managed poor performance and increased overall success by introducing achievable KPI’s and cross functional team working whilst promoting several colleagues and introducing succession planning
- Marketing – Improved performance of SEO/you tube/amazon marketing by setting KPI’s and sharing success across the business to improve all 32 channels currently trading
- (Circa 15% CPO saving)
- International Growth – Increased footprint by introducing additional Amazon channels and focusing on growth regions to maximize success (+£1m)
Head of Buying
Maplin
10.2015 - 07.2018
- Transformed the department as the company relocated the buying function to London by employing a more trade focused team with more FE experience
- Built processes with clearly defined objectives and owners of responsibility
- Dealt with all levels of the business up to investor level, influence the company plans to board level and have delivered to these plans
- Built strong brand relationships allowing Maplin to build a market leading position in our core categories
- Delivered sourcing strategy on own branded products and creating brands within key categories
- Delivered key initiatives around Security, Smart home and CCTV to make sure Maplin stays at the forefront within the market by delivering stretching targets and building unique opportunities which give Maplin the edge
- Driven change in the stores and built strong relationships with both suppliers and internal teams to help deliver the plan
- Stretching my team using their abilities to the full to get the best plans put in place and to measuring against them
- Key successes: -
- Supplier terms – developed and delivered enhanced terms (over £2m) with suppliers through strategic project
- SOTF & Smart Change – Delivering Smart experiences to our stores improved footfall +8%
- Own Brand – Created own brand of smart Products targeting core customer needs +£5m incremental sales
- Big change – delivering real change to the stores with limited resource, adding leading brands
- CCTV – regaining power in the market and leading the growth to +8% LFL YoY
- Smart Home – Lifted brand awareness of Maplin to make us ‘front of mind’ in the market (Growth +140% LFL YoY)
- People – Promotion of 3 Junior Buyers to Buyers and 1 buyer to senior buyer
Product manager/Buyer
Halfords Ltd
07.2012 - 01.2015
- Set and delivered the strategy for the cycle accessories category with key focus on delivering improved shopping experience for our customers
- Development of own branded ranges and merchandising methods in store
- Liaise with all key stake holders within the business and the board of directors to deliver the objectives on time and on budget
- Worked closely with key market leading brands to develop exclusive branded ranges
- Developed own branded products to maximize margins through the FE team
- Key successes: -
- Licensed/own brand development - Boardman, Pendleton and Ridge clothing ranges (+£10m)
- Negotiation - new Discount levels and marketing support with suppliers (+£1.2m)
- DC processes - Introduce new methods of working to accommodate clothing
- People - Two colleagues within my team promoted to buyer
- B2C range - Expand web offer to over 10k items for sale via direct to customer delivery service
Buyer
Toys R Us Ltd
06.2008 - 07.2012
- Total autonomy of 8 categories covering Outdoor Equipment, toys and sports
- Liaised and shared successes/challenges with other countries to maximize our sales and profits
- Developed own brand and branded ranges through our China and US Office to suit all markets within Europe and the US
- Attended meetings all over the world to visit factories, develop products, finalize product selections, negotiate terms/pricing and present the global ranges to other parts of the business
- Licensed key branded products to offer global and European exclusives to give a point of difference
- Key successes: -
- Own brand development - Built new low price point range of outdoor play houses still on sale
- Negotiation – Delivered world exclusive on Nerf gun with Hasbro and 26 countries within TRU
- Licensing – Negotiated European license for Champions league range of goals and equipment
- Quality – improved safety on trampoline range whilst negotiating a cost reduction
- People – promoted BA to AB with development plan allowing exposure to the exec team
Senior Buyer
Sports Direct International
03.2003 - 02.2008
- Maximize the buy, for the companies 434 stores within the hard goods division, which covers all aspects of non-fashion goods
- Developed technical apparel/footwear/Hardware within those categories on both own brand and branded products
- Liaised and manage JBP’s with all major brands like Nike, Adidas, Wilson, Callaway etc, to produce ranges, negotiate terms, analyze stock cover, negotiate clearance deals, maximize margins and to maximize turnover within Sports Direct
- End to end own brand range development for Dunlop, Slazenger, No Fear, Karrimor etc from design to retail, through our Singapore office
- Liaise directly with the factories/Companies in America/China and Philippines regarding production and Development of the product
- Key successes: -
- Growth - Went from looking after £20m to £300m budget at cost
- Product – Developed own brand ranges from design to shop floor on ‘technical products’ (Golf, Tennis, Hockey, Snooker, Cricket etc)
- Licensing – managed transition of Dunlop into the business along with Universal cycles
- Quality – improved quality of products where previously safety was not considered
- Branded ranges – worked on building exclusive ranges from all brands which became 70% of the business
Technical Operations Manager
Lillywhites Ltd
09.1998 - 03.2003
- Provide the necessary management assistance, guidance and coaching for 5 department managers over the Technical side of the business for Piccadilly store
- Set up focus groups to help grow the business in the technical categories
- Manage product layout, visual merchandising and display; stock cash and payroll control; store ambience and customer care; recruitment, retention and succession planning; loss prevention, security and maintenance/repair
- Brought cycling range into the business by setting up a full system from buying to merchandising which became a stable part of the business once established
- Turnover in excess of £12m, from 16,000 sq.ft, 85 staff
Team Leader
10.1997 - 09.1998
- Managed Bikes, Rackets, Fitness and Golf
- Duties were to implement and enforce company policy and day to day running of these sections and to maximize sales through coaching the team to success
Assistant Manager
Olympus Sports
09.1996 - 10.1997
- To assist in the Management of the store; Space management and implementation of the company guide lines with direct liaison with, Area Manager
Assistant Functions Manager
07.1993 - 08.1995
- General running of three bars and the 100 cover restaurants
Education
Brentwood School
09.1981 - 06.1991
National Diploma - Construction
Colchester Institute (now UOE)
09.1991 - 07.1993
Skills
Strategic Problem Resolution
Project management
Operations management
Team Leadership
Employee Engagement
Strategic Decision-Making
Negotiation
Contract and vendor management
Sales management
E-commerce strategy
Leadership development
Timeline
Integrated Business Planning Director
Wehkamp BV
06.2021 - Current
Director
R Tiffin Ltd
01.2020 - 06.2021
Commercial Director
Mobilefun Ltd
11.2018 - 01.2020
Head of Buying
Maplin
10.2015 - 07.2018
Product manager/Buyer
Halfords Ltd
07.2012 - 01.2015
Buyer
Toys R Us Ltd
06.2008 - 07.2012
Senior Buyer
Sports Direct International
03.2003 - 02.2008
Technical Operations Manager
Lillywhites Ltd
09.1998 - 03.2003
Team Leader
10.1997 - 09.1998
Assistant Manager
Olympus Sports
09.1996 - 10.1997
Assistant Functions Manager
07.1993 - 08.1995
National Diploma - Construction
Colchester Institute (now UOE)
09.1991 - 07.1993
Brentwood School
09.1981 - 06.1991
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