Sarah Ward

Curriculum Vitae

33, Devonshire CloseStevenageHertsSG2 8RYTel: - 07948 098844sward1702@gmail.com

PROFILE

I am an experienced people focussed manager, who has spent over 30 years working in both Retail & Retail logistics, working with several blue chip companies.I have worked in the 3PL Logistics sector for the last 15 years. I have been successful in this role due to my ability to engage with people at all levels, whether customers or employees. I feel the way I interact and manage people, and how I am as a person means I could use these skills/characteristics in many fields of work, and I am willing to explore various opportunities. I am interested in working in the training or third sector, as well as continuing within logistics

CAREER SUMMARY

Robert Dyas Ltd December 2014 – March 2015Start up of 120,000 sq.ft warehouse

Successfully took an empty warehouse to a fully operational DC, in 3 monthsThis included

Liaison with property team & contractors in terms of specification and layout of all areas of the site, including warehouse facilities, colleague restaurant & Corporate offices.

Recycled office furniture from existing sites saving over £20k in furniture purchases Recruitment and training of new site team, including 4 x Managers from my direct network saving

over £20k in recruitment fees. Procurement of equipment & services Transfer of existing operation & staff to new site Managed to deliver within Group expectations of cost. (no set budget)

Wincanton Group January 2000 – November 2014

Morrisons M local, Feltham MiddxComposite Operation within 80,000 sq. ft. warehouse

Site General Manager, October 2012 – October 2014

Contract start up for new Morrison’s Convenience business

Following my success of running the Feltham Operation for Sainsbury’s, my profile was included in the Tender process for the business, to demonstrate knowledge of Convenience operations within Wincanton.

Involved with the design and specification for £1.7 million refurbishment of the site, delivered within budget

Recruitment of full team, from Operatives upwards Ensured operational readiness for Go Live on 11th March 2013. Having to cope with a very fluid ramp up plan of new stores Managing the recruitment of staff to align with ramp up Ensure the most cost effective use of resource without putting the operation at risk. Significant achievements

Successfully supported openings of 53 Morrison’s M Local stores Managed to save at least 10% on manpower costs, by using dynamic resource

planning and a flexible approach to recruitment, and a pragmatic approach to management requirement. Circa £40k saving.

Structure & plan in place for a further 40 stores to open in 2014 Supported opening of 2nd Distribution centre in Bury, including FLT training, saving

over £5k Successfully recruited a total staff of currently 140, with expectation to increase to

over 200 in next 12 months Supported Our Club programme, for getting 18-24 year olds into work by bringing

in 6 candidates who we were able to offer work to.

UPS/Olympics Contracts, Stevenage Ambient Operation within 400,000 sq. ft. warehouse

Site General Manager, December 2011 – October 2012

I managed one of two Olympics Logistics Centres, providing equipment to 150 competition and training venues across the UK.

24/7 operation, with up to 150 staff, only 30 core, the rest being Agency workers This was a fast paced and challenging environment, as no Games are ever the same, so we had

no template to work Devised processes as the operation developed Staff recruitment in-line with activity through test events to the main games activities Reduced headcount, from Olympics through Paralympics, and into close of venues Working with 3rd Party contractors based on our site, in varied diverse functions from IT hardware,

to Games Memorabilia Management of facilities to ensure all stock secure, and damage free despite challenges of

building structure Implementing and managing a secure access process in line with Olympic security requirements Significant Achievements

The operation was highly successful, expanding beyond its original scope to include other 3rd party contractors being based on site, and working collaboratively with them. Ultimately, delivering the ‘best games ever!’

Improved productivity of pick and check processes, by modifying layout & flow, giving savings of circa 20% against forecasted headcount, circa £5k per week, equating to approx £60k over 3 months.

Procter & Gamble Contract, West Thurrock

General Manager, July 2010 – December 2011

Manipulations and Co-packing operation, based on customers site Originally seconded, but offered role permanently in September Main challenge was the Customer relationship Complex commercial contract Cost reduction expectations of P&G Significant achievements

Contractual renewal for further two years (July 2013) including £50k management structure saving, as well as unit cost savings of between 10 – 20% on pricing matrix, based on Lean Sigma efficiencies.

Re-structure of operation Managed several change projects in short time scale/LSS Negotiated contractual KPI’s Exceeded contribution budget by 150%, circa £75k Re-tendered agency suppliers to give £50k saving Qualified in the P&G Quality Assurance for Logistics

Sainsbury’s Contract, FelthamComposite Operation within 80,000 sq. ft. warehouse

General Manager, March 2007 – July 2010 Originally recruited into AGM/DCM role reporting into Regional GM Formally became GM reporting into BUD on 1st January 2008 Tasked with improving site safety culture and employee engagement Continuous improvement on operational KPI’s Significant achievements –

OWR (Warehouse productivity) improved from 55 in 2008 to 70+ in 2009, highest achieved so far in April 2010 of 73. Equates to circa 1 x FTE, or £20,000 p.a. saving.

Achieving Top 3 position in JS Depot of the year twice Successful restructure of Depot operation, with one off saving of £300k during

year long process. Wincanton Health & Safety audit score improvement from 65% to 95% Achieved accreditation in Bsi18001 & ISO14001

First depot in JS network to achieve Zero Waste to Landfill. !00% reduction in landfill costs.

Spirit Group Contract, LutonComposite Operation within 60,000 sq. ft. warehouse

Operations Manager, February 2004 – March 2007 Overall responsibility for Warehouse operation, Stock & Admin dept, and Support Admin (formerly

finance) Stand in for M3 Depot Manager Recruitment and motivation of Management Team Ensure all financial targets are adhered to whilst exceeding contractual KPI’s. Review and justify all expenditure to Contract General Manager and Customer within an Open –

book environment Maintain the depots commitment to IIP recognition Ensure environmental and quality standards are maintained through HACCP and Cmi higher level

certification Integration of Thistle Hotel business into established network, including 100% check procedures Integration of Spirit estate houses into former Scottish & Newcastle Network Stock & Admin. Manager, January 2000 – February 2004 Operational start up Setting up of Stock & Admin function for the Scottish & Newcastle contract Development of an untested Warehouse Management system Recruitment and training of team Writing routines and procedures for new system and operation Providing a benchmark standard for the depot Providing an internal audit process for the whole operation

IKEA Ltd July 1989 – Jan 2000

Positions held: - Warehouse Manager

Responsible for approximately 70 co-workers inclusive of six Team leaders, up to two management trainees, and £6 million worth of stock.

Staff recruitment, development & training Responsible for FLT Trainers & Health & Safety

Stock Administration Manager Recruitment & management of team Responsible for stock accuracy and availability Ensuring costs kept within strict budgetary constraints. Providing stock data for Commercial Managers

Business to Business (IKEA at Work) Manager Responsible for the development of a new business area Providing an ordering and advice service for business clients. Taking orders from a wide client base from Sole Traders to multi national conglomerates, from the

U.K. and worldwide.

Direct Delivery Sofa Manager Responsible for providing all aspects of after sales service for customers who ordered made to

measure sofas Also as an IKEA manager I had to act as Duty Manager on a rotation, being responsible for the whole store (800 staff & up to 15,000 visitors), with regards Health & Safety, Operations and Customer complaints

Date of Birth: 17th February 1965 Status: Married

Education: 8 ‘O’ Levels, 2 ‘A’ Levels Interests: Hill walking, Scuba Diving, cycling, reading, walking the dog, spending time with family & friends

Training Date

St. Johns Ambulance First Aid Course 10/95 & 10/98

T.G.B. Forklift Drivers Course 9/89

T.G.B. Forklift Truck Awareness for Supervisors 3/99

Link 51 Training Seminar (Racking inspections) 2/98

Risk Management & Risk Assessment Course 5/98

Professional Telephone Techniques Workshop 2/96

Training Skills for Trainers 4/97

IOSH Managing Safely 11/01

Manual Handling Train the Trainer 01/02

Diploma in Performance Coaching (Business) 09/01 – 08/02

Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene & Safety (Honours) 07/03

Fire Marshal Training 10/03

NVQ Management Level 3 03/05

Management Development Programme 01/05 – 03/06

Leadership Development Programme 09/09 – 05/10

P&G Quality Assurance Key Elements for Logistics 01/11