Allen Bilston
Luxury Retail/Design/Hospitality
Etobicoke,ON
"You're either striving to get better or allowing yourself to get worse, there is no such thing as staying the same"
Pat Riley
Summary
Professional leader with comprehensive experience in driving operational excellence and strategic growth. Proven track record of fostering team collaboration and achieving impactful results in dynamic environments. Skilled in navigating complex challenges, optimizing processes, and cultivating positive workplace cultures. Known for adaptability, effective communication, and strong decision-making abilities.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Director
Ralph Lauren
Toronto , ON
07.2023 - Current
- Cultivate strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Monitor financial performance, set budgets and control expenses to provide financial stability and long-term growth.
- Manage employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Analyzed market trends and product data to identify potential opportunities for business growth within existing or emerging markets successfully.
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives that enhanced sales performance across all departments.
- Drove the successful execution of numerous activations/charitable events.
- Led team to exceed sales targets, implementing motivational incentives and comprehensive training programs.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for first store in Canada.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Hands-on creation of exciting merchandise displays to catch attention of store customers.
- Recruited, onboarded, and lead store opening for the Yorkdale location.
Gallery Leader/Director of Operations
RH
Toronto, ON
10.2018 - 03.2023
- Responsible for a multi-million dollar 70,000 sqft Interior Design/Retail Gallery, including Trade and Hospitality.
- Lead day-to-day production activities in accordance with business objectives.
- Set team and individual KPIs specific to area of business and expertise, and provided regular actionable feedback.
- Keep up-to-date with industry knowledge and trends, including all home furnishings and decor, lighting, bedding and mattresses. Identifying areas of opportunity to drive improvement and sales.
- Built and maintained sold vendor relationships globally. Such brands as Halo & Tim Olton, Freshbed, Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams, Aireloom, Johnathan Browning lighting, and many more.
- Led change and transformation across all areas of the business.
- Achieved team goals and consistent double digit comps through formalized training plans, coaching, performance management, and innovation.
- Worked collaboratively with functional leaders to implement new procedures and corrective actions to improve quality.
- Recruited, hired and trained over 100+ personnel throughout North American. Including both Leadership and associates.
- Delivered leadership to executive team dedicated to driving ambitious targets with well-orchestrated plans, during and after Covid.
- Tracked trends and suggested enhancements to both our vendors and home office partners, challenging and refining company's product offerings.
- Managed over 100 team members across 4 different departments, resulting in approximate 100% increase in revenue during my tenure.
- Supported top-level decision-making and strategy planning, forging productive relationships with top leaders and serving as key advocate for various personnel issues.
- Coordinated leadership workshops to educate team members on best practices to optimize productivity.
- Increased sales year over year by establishing a strong vision, setting lofty goals, and overseeing performance.
- Generate and developed leads, using networking and web systems to acquire new clients (Salesforce reporting).
- Direct all management meetings to enhance collaboration and maintain a culture based on trust and group problem-solving.
Senior Gallery Leader 2/ Bayview Village
Restoration Hardware
Toronto, ON
10.2012 - 10.2018
- First to take on two high volume galleries and integrate successfully achieving double digit comps year over year.
- Developed and implemented business strategies to achieve business goals and stay competitive.
- Integrated design services into our retail spaces creating Toronto RH Interior Design and responsible for over 40% of our overall revenue
- Initiated and implemented Toronto Trade program responsible for 20% of overall business.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Traveled internationally for new gallery openings, successfully onboarded and trained dozens of new leaders and associates.
- Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and personally mentoring team members.
- Monitored and analyzed business performance to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments.
- Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
- Attended industry shows, conventions, and other meetings with primary mission of expanding market opportunities.
- Conducted weekly team meetings to reinforce goals and objectives and set clear expectations about policies and procedures.
- Resolved customer issues quickly to close deals and boost client satisfaction.
Legacy Gallery Leader/Younge Street Gallery
Restoration Hardware
Toronto, ON
09.2010 - 10.2012
- Successfully led a team of 20-30 employees in a 10,000 Sqft gallery to 20 million annually.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability such as Trade and Interior Design
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated Design mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
General Manager
Guess?
Toronto, ON
09.2008 - 09.2010
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision and long-range planning.
- Prepared annual budgets with controls to prevent overages.
- Reduced process bottlenecks by training and coaching employees on practices, procedures and performance strategies.
- Assessed reports to evaluate performance, develop targeted improvements and implement changes.
- Hired, trained, coached and mentored staff.
General Manager
Lucky Brand
Toronto, ON
09.2006 - 09.2008
- Planned operations to meet established schedules, factoring in order demands and business forecasts.
- Developed sales strategy based on research of consumer buying trends and market conditions.
- Evaluated production levels, quality standards and maintenance actions to identify and address operational problems and maintain targets.
- Resolved conflicts promptly to promote positive environment for customers and my team.
- Brought in exceptional candidates to boost team productivity. Conducted training sessions to educate employees on best practices and procedures to increase profitability.
Area Manager
Buffalo Jeans
Toronto , Ontario
07.2000 - 08.2006
- Exceeded sales targets with well-developed sales strategy and empowering team coaching.
- Led targeted training programs to educate staff on product, service and standards.
- Delivered new employee onboarding and training sessions.
- Managed analytical reports to identify and track sales activities and customer trends.
- Increased visual impact and sales through optimal arrangement of mannequins, fixtures, walls and tables.
- Opened and closed multiple locations across Ontario.
Education
Residential Interiors
11.2013 - 09.2015
High School Diploma -
Skills
Public speaking
Critical Thinking
Problem-Solving
Teambuilding
Salesforce Software Proficiency
Strategic planning
Business Development
Customer Relations
Recruitment
Coaching and mentoring
Timeline
Director - Ralph Lauren
07.2023 - Current
Gallery Leader/Director of Operations - RH
10.2018 - 03.2023
Interior Design Institute - , Residential Interiors
11.2013 - 09.2015
Senior Gallery Leader 2/ Bayview Village - Restoration Hardware
10.2012 - 10.2018
Legacy Gallery Leader/Younge Street Gallery - Restoration Hardware
09.2010 - 10.2012
General Manager - Guess?
09.2008 - 09.2010
General Manager - Lucky Brand
09.2006 - 09.2008
Area Manager - Buffalo Jeans
07.2000 - 08.2006
Barton Secondary - High School Diploma,