Leannara Durand-Dawkins

Dedicated and detail-oriented individual with over 6 years of experience in the luxury/high-street retail industry. Possessing exceptional communication skills, adept at managing relationships and driving collaborative efforts.

Furthermore, recognised consistently for performance excellence and contributions to success in established companies including leading the development of new and existing business processes.

Seeking to leverage my skills and expertise in a new career opportunity in UAE.

In my most recent role, I worked as a Partnership Buying Coordinator for The Entertainer and was with the company for approximately 2 years. 

My journey started as a buying administrator where I quickly gained a variety of skills, assisting buyers with the operational and administrative tasks as well as attending supplier previews which increased my product knowledge. I have also contributed to the improvement of processes within the buying admin team e.g. building an automated EPOS sales data report which has saved over 4 hours of work and is now used every week and sent out to over 60 suppliers. 

After working as a Buying Administrator for a year, I was then promoted to the role of Partnership Buying Assistant, where I have continued to progress and manage the product creation process for Tesco’s, Marks & Spencer’s and Matalan. This involved analysing current processes and finding new innovative ways of improving these, to ensure that we were working as efficiently as possible, whilst maintaining a good working relationship with our Partnership channels. Moreover, ensuring that a strong relationship is maintained with all Partners/Partnership Merchandising Managers within stores. 

Within 7 months, I was promoted again to my current role as a Partnership Buying Co-ordinator, where I now manage a team of staff. As a manager, I have to take the lead on the development of my team, which involves training on new and existing systems in addition to setting clear and defined objectives for the team. This ensures that I have good communication with my team members and ensures we work collaboratively together. 

One of my most recent achievements that I am proud of in my current role, is my contribution to the business’s successful contract agreement with the 3rd largest supermarket retailer in the world. The skills that I gained from this experience are effective communication, mentoring, leadership time management, relationship building and organisation skills.

HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA Fashion Retail Academy / London / 2019 UAL LEVEL 4 DIPLOMA FASHION BUYING AND MERCHANDISING 

HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA West Herts College / Watford / 2018 UAL LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA FASHION DESIGN 

ADDITIONAL COURSE(S) Google / Online / 2021 FUNDAMENTALS OF DIGITAL MARKETING