Despina Georgiadis: in Walnut Creek, CA

Appointed to develop and execute the global operations strategy. Managed global teams affecting operational functions in the supply chain including, logistics, inventory management and retail operations. Proficient in leading international, multi-cultural and de-centralized business units with proven track record of increased business operational performance. Notable Achievements • Drove the re-engineering of the global distribution and logistics process, preventing redundant import/export practices and ineffective inventory distribution methodology in order to support the growth requirements. Authored the company’s first Standard Operating Procedures manual introducing uniform practices across all retail locations. Achieved a 30% efficiency amounting to a cost reduction in operating expenses by $400K. • Developed and implemented the Global Trade Compliance policy. This policy was implemented and enforced with the CEO’s endorsement, to all the employees globally; it summarized the trade restrictions in the countries where the company has business presence and provided execution steps to address those restrictions compliantly. • Sourced third party vendors to support the logistics and operations needs globally. Negotiated contracts with customs brokers, transportation and warehousing companies, which concluded an overall reduction of 40% in the rates. • Managed the global shipping ($10M) and global operations T&E ($3M) budgets. Achieved savings in shipping costs, amounting to $3.5M by altering the established shipment consolidation and through contract renegotiations. • Controlled, monitored and assessed the risk of the company’s global inventory valued at over $500M with the objective of designing policies and procedures to mitigate risks associated with losses. Developed a highly detailed physical inventory reconciliation method and realized a 100% inventory real time tracking and accuracy. Decreased and maintained the loss rate to 0.001% of the inventory total value. • Provided expert framework of business line requirements and map out systems function specifications to create efficient, value-added supply chain solutions targeting a competitive advantage in the global economic arena.

Provided expert oversight in the importation and exportation of merchandise, in conformity with global customs trade rules and local government regulations. Notable Achievements • Increased accuracy and accountability of inventory tracking from 72% to 95%, surpassing the established corporate goal by 10%. • Reduced discrepancies of the total inventory valued at $300M from 0.3% to 0.01%, by analyzing and resolving the monthly physical inventory inconsistencies. • Successfully eliminated all global customs penalty fees by implementing logistics guidelines relative to each country’s laws, in which the company had a presence.

Accountable for the day-to-day inventory activities and their reconciliation to financial processing of company sales and purchases Notable Achievements • Performed and improved the timely inventory entry into the system and shipment of merchandise to the retail stores. • Analyzed and ensured accuracy of all information essential in creating inventory reports utilized by senior management for cost and profit margin examination. • Provided extensive support to the Merchandising department regarding business plan recommendations, assortment structure analysis of active inventory and aged inventory solutions.

Managed charge backs issued by the company’s clients for non-compliance to their manufacturing and delivery guidelines. Initiated multiple process improvement initiatives in key operational areas such as logistics, distribution and corporate planning.

Ensured supply chain management with utmost efficiency while maintaining compliance with U.S. Customs & Border Protection regulations and customers’ vendor guidelines. Responsible for the functional analysis and implementation of new inventory management processes to support rapid sales growth while maintaining excellent customer service.