Zen Operations

As a Fractional COO, I specialise in streamlining operations for SMEs, driving revenue & profitability growth through strategic plans and process optimisation.

I conduct operational assessments, recommend solutions to stimulate growth, and guide tech adoption to revolutionise workflows.

Utilising KPIs, I ensure continual progress. I provide insights on best practices, assist in restructuring, ensuring smooth transitions, and mentor teams for operational excellence.

My vendor management optimises cost-effectiveness, quality and ensures successful delivery of projects. 

Achievements:

◾ Reduced operational costs by 25% through strategic improvements.

◾ Improved conversion rates by 30% by simplifying sales cycles.

◾Fostered a data-driven culture, yielding up to 20% profit increases.

◾ Developed analytics and revenue operations departments, driving revenue optimisation.

◾ Achieved revenue growth of 15%-150% by identifying bottlenecks.

◾ Ensured smooth post-merger transitions.

◾ Boosted staff data literacy through training.

◾ Assisted in attracting substantial Series B funding.

◾ Enhanced operational transparency, improving team performance and investor relations.

Operations Consultancy & Fractional COO services

I help Positive Impact CEOs to Simplify Operations and Ignite Growth | Operations Consultant | Fractional COO | Data-Driven Strategy Advisor

You’re a CEO in the FMCG sector. 

Imagine your team executing your vision with less friction and resistance.

Rather than blank faces staring back in each team meeting, you have a sea of purpose-driven advocates who have crystal clear clarity on what needs to get done.   

You're a CEO with a clear vision of where your business needs to go. But something's getting in the way...

Maybe it's the pressure to deliver rapid results to your board. 
Maybe it's the conflicting advice from your team. 
Or maybe it's simply the challenge of turning months of thinking into a clear story everyone can understand.

This is where I come in.

For CEOs and leadership teams in product-based businesses, I help:

- Transform months of thinking into structured, actionable plans in hours
- Simplify complex data into actionable insights
- Find hidden value in conflicting team perspectives
- Tell a compelling story that brings everyone on the journey with you

Think of me as your secret weapon for unscrambling complexity.

"Unlike typical Exec coaches who often leave you with more questions than answers, Deb helps bridge the gap between what's in my head and what needs to be communicated. Every session saves me hours of time and mental energy." - Aoife Kenny, Interim MD

Whether you're:

- Preparing for a crucial board presentation
- Developing a transformative data strategy
- Leading complex change initiatives
- Needing clarity in hours, not weeks

I help you cut through the noise and turn your complex challenges into winning strategies.

Because your brilliance lies in leading transformation...

Not getting lost in the weeds of complexity.

Ready to turn your vision into clear action? Let's connect.

Specialties: Strategic Planning | Data Strategy | Digital Transformation | FMCG & Food Industry | E-Commerce | Operational Excellence

#StrategicClarity #BusinessTransformation #Leadership

Deb Stevenson

Unitas Wholesale

Finance director

Bestway Wholesale

Finance Manager (Van Sales)

P & H DIRECT VAN SALES LIMITED

Accounting for all aspects of sales and gross profit including cost of goods sold calculation, supplier terms, supplier promotional income, customer discounts, stock valuation and margin analysis. The role includes full responsibility for the annual budgeting process, 3 year planning and rolling forecasts. 

Working directly for the Finance Director, with a dotted line to the Commercial Director, managing a team of Assistant Financial Accountants and responsible for the presentation of business performance and financial results at monthly management and Board meetings.

Within the role I have significantly developed and improved modelling & scenario planning capabilities to enhance the excel models which were in place and provided  interpretation of financial information for the business

Responsible for analysing past performance to enable planning for future performance and provide insight and support to the Finance Director regarding planning for the longer term (next 5 years), Medium Term (next 3 years) and Short term (up to 1 year)

Completed variance analysis on actual performance versus budgeted performance and provide reasons for difference and recommended actions to redress in terms that are understood by financial and non-financial colleagues.

Financial Planning and Analysis Manager

Sports Direct International Limited PLC (Brands Division / Fitness Division)

The role required me to work across two divisions of Sports Direct with responsbility for  overseeing the transaction processing & develop the management accounting processes of the fitness division along with management accounts responsibilities for the UK wholesale businesses, plus consolidation of the global results.

Within the fitness division of Sports Direct I was responsible for:
* Creation & monthly preparation of the divisional management accounts / information pack
* Overall month end accounting responsibility (integration into Sports Direct system)
* Forecasting & budgeting across the division
* Modelling member movements, impact of pricing strategies, site profitability & longer term strategies. Presentation to Sports Direct senior team.
* Acquisition accounting & lead on year one audit (27 statutory entities)

Within the Brands Division I was responsible for:
* Full multi-currency consolidation of divisional results including presentation, review and adjustment with key senior management
* Consolidation of divisional forecasts and budgets
* Collation and presentation of ‘flash’ results for the division
* Group finance responsibility for the Dunlop group of companies world wide
* Visiting the Philippines factory to assist with manufacturing costing and overhead recovery, as well as the accounting and analysis of usage and price variances
* Allocation of central charges & income back to sales regions to aid profitability analysis of individual business units
* Analysis of group marketing spend & revenues relating to group owned brands
* Consolidation and presentation of world wide sales data to the product teams ; comparisons of product ranges and new technologies, monitoring initial sell-ins and subsequent sell through on a global level, directly contributing to the decision making process and future strategies.
* Exposure to licensing related accounting (both licensee and licensor)

Senior Management Accountant

Dunlop Slazenger International LTD

Sales & Order Analysis and Reporting 
* Extensive manipulation of sales and margin data for the creation of reports by Product, Brand, Customer and Channel of trade – Reporting to Sales Managers, Product Managers and Senior Management
* Implementation of a weekly performance pack for the UK and European units
* Forecasting and budgeting of sales and orders for targeting and purchasing
* Ad-Hoc projects examining performance and profitability by customer/product/channel to facilitate strategic decisions

Month End Reporting Responsibilities 
* Reporting and analysis of UK Departmental spend vs. budget
* Calculation, posting and reconciliation of accruals & prepayments
* Tracking of retrospective rebate agreements and payments
* Tracking of royalty payments and performance bonuses due to sponsored sports players
* Preparation of departmental budgets and forecasts
* Consolidated VAT returns

Group Responsibilities
* Design and distribution of reporting and budgeting packs for 20 international units
* Analysis of consolidated results, budgets and forecasts
* Reconciliation of inter-company funding accounts

Dunlop Slazenger was purchased by Sports Direct 2004 and integrated into the group head office in 2007

Assistant Financial Planning and Analysis Accountant

Esso Petroleum Company, Limited

UK Business Analyst - Industrial Placement as part of Degree

CIMA qualified accountant with over 10 years experience in Accounting and commercially focussed FP&A within leading wholesale and retail organisations

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The Battle

Deb Stevenson

Richard Bone

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