An incredible team spirit

posted by Caroline Grant
25 February 2014

Clarks found me when I was a Graduate with just a year’s retail management experience. I was offered a job in the Manchester Ravel store in 1996 as a Management trainee. As I’d already worked as a Saturday girl in Ravel from the age of 16, I felt right at home there!

Out in the retail stores there is an incredible team spirit and loyalty to Clarks. We have loads of people with long service as they really attach themselves to the business and the brand. I have always looked for new challenges to progress my career and have been prepared to travel and give things a go! I get to do that with Clarks and I enjoy the fact that I have continually had the opportunity to try new things.

I have invariably felt hugely supported whether I was working for Ravel, Outlet, Retail, on projects, or in Supply Chain which has provided me with a rounded view of the business. One of my proudest achievements was in 2012 when I was part of the winning team which delivered great results on a project which focused on our consumers – I also gained the company’s special recognition award for my contribution to the project.

I’ve kept moving upwards and recently I became a Regional Sales Manager. I work in partnership with six Area Sales Managers who look after 145 stores and 3,000 team members in our UK retail business. I’m responsible for delivering the sales budget and financial controls through leading a high-performing team who are fully engaged in the Clarks brand.

I am fairly new in my current role, so my plan is to learn all about my new region and its team so that I can understand how we may unlock our massive potential and be the very best! I am also working with the women’s gender team to help build relationships between our field teams and our Buying and Merchandising colleagues. This is very exciting because I’m learning new things all of the time and it really helps me to build my business knowledge even further.

My region covers Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of the UK so I anticipate a lot of time travelling! However this just means I get to see even more great cities and towns and meet more of our store teams who I am so proud of.  As retailing changes and evolves and as our Global business grows, I anticipate that one of my main challenges will be to act as a change leader and support effective change management, making sure that we all move together towards our brand vision.

In our region, we see around 20 million consumers a year – the team are incredible when it comes to meeting and greeting each consumer – and with a smile! The teams in stores are amazing and are a constant source of feedback… they have the best ideas! The Area Sales Managers I work with are committed to leading their teams and are all talented retailers with very different strengths, so they’re fantastic to work alongside.

If I had to condense all of the many reasons to work for Clarks, I’d say it’s a global brand and the best footwear retailer out there! It is a simple business with a great heritage and heart that makes it feel pretty special.

Outside of work, I do triathlons, open water swimming and marathons – all quite slowly! I have 2 sons and 3 step daughters, 4 ducks, and a puppy - so there is never a dull moment!

Sue - Regional Sales Manager, UK

Categories: Retail | People story |