Commercial trading and sourcing professional with over 13 years experience in international roles Created and led successful multi-cultural trading, buying, sourcing and quality teams of up to 70 across Europe and Asia Developed comprehensive European supplier strategy that delivered financial sourcing synergy benefits and optimized group trading terms; negotiated European supplier contracts; introduced new profit streams and controlled purchases of branded, licensed and OEM products of £200 mill+ Relocated to Hong Kong for 3 years in 2005 to establish a highly successful product sourcing and quality organization for the Darty Group; achieved triple digit shipment growth; transformed the group's product offer and increased profitability by up to 20% Successfully turned around a loss making division with £100 mill+ turnover for leading UK retailer Track record of finding solutions and delivering results in challenging environments Proven success in setting up new multi function international departments/subsidiaries Strong buying team leader - proven track record with buying teams throughout Europe and Asia Innovative with a balance of respect for structure and process Fast paced retail professional with a hands-on approach to make things happen Maximizes profitability through effective sourcing and driving optimal retail mix Drives culture of continuous improvement, obsessed with delivering positive customer experience Specialties: Strategic commercial planning Direct sourcing and supplier strategy Identifying and monetising sourcing synergies Negotiation Own brand strategy, sourcing and range development Retail buying team management Category Management Change management New business / subsidiary set up Quality assurance Product compliance Currently seeking new challenge in Consumer goods / Services & Retail sectors UK citizen Prepared to re-locate

Senior Commercial & Sourcing Executive @ Currently seeking new challenge in Consumer goods / Services & Retail sectors UK citizen Prepared to re-locate From November 2014 to Present (1 year 2 months) Director @ Worked as one of 2 partners to develop and sucessfully launch a new company offering a range of premium hardware and accessory products. Created branding; designed, specified and sourced new innovative product ranges to deliver a high quality on-line offer. From January 2014 to October 2014 (10 months) Director of Direct Sourcing @ Headed group direct sourcing function to optimize retail competitiveness and profitability; managed purchases of over £200m for OEM, licensed and branded products; led teams of up to 70 in UK, France, Hong Kong and China covering sourcing, merchandising, quality assurance, product compliance, packaging, finance and shipping/ logistics From January 2008 to October 2013 (5 years 10 months) Paris Area, FranceGeneral Manager - Kesa Asia @ Established new direct sourcing and quality assurance companies in Asia Recruited and developed teams in Hong Kong and mainland China Drove significant profitability growth through expansion of directly sourced purchases From January 2005 to January 2008 (3 years 1 month) Head of Category Buying - Europe @ Developed and delivered European supplier and product strategy that optimized group buying power and delivered synergy savings Negotiated European supplier contracts and purchases that created enhanced profitability and new ongoing revenue streams Co-ordinated country buying teams; engaged multi-cultural management in unified group approach Identified and drove commercial best practice From 2000 to 2005 (5 years) Paris Area, FranceDivisional Trading Controller @ Turned around category profitability within Computing & Mobile Comms business unit Restructured commercial team comprising of 15 buyers and marketers Redefined customer proposition and transformed in-store merchandise approach Delivered growth in sales, net margin and market share From 1998 to 2000 (2 years) Buying Controller @ From June 1997 to January 1998 (8 months) Senior Buyer @ From August 1994 to June 1997 (2 years 11 months) Various Buying and Marketing roles @ From April 1989 to August 1994 (5 years 5 months) Area Sales Manager @ From February 1988 to April 1989 (1 year 3 months) London, United KingdomRegional Sales Manager @ From January 1987 to February 1988 (1 year 2 months)

Steve Connor is skilled in: Retail, E-commerce, Management, Sourcing, Merchandising, Multi-channel Retail, Logistics, P&L Management, Consumer Electronics, Outsourcing, Team Management, Purchasing, Change Management, Negotiation, Strategy, Business Strategy, New Business Development