Business Development Manager
Resume:
NEVILLE SHIFREN
FURNITURE MANUFACTURE & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
**************@******.***
San Diego, CA
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Accomplished leader in the furniture industry, recognized for driving innovation and delivering exceptional business results.
Proven expertise in founding award-winning companies and spearheading transformative growth through strategic leadership, product innovation, and global market expansion.
Track record of strengthening customer retention, increasing export sales, and establishing businesses as leaders within highly competitive markets.
Skilled in financial management and sales, with a strong ability to build and lead high-performing teams while delivering tailored, client-focused solutions that boost brand reputation and market share.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Technical Sales and Business Development Manager Jul 2023 – Oct 2024
ChemXWorks Inc. San Diego, CA
Responsible for promoting innovative kitchen cleaning solutions across the USA, with a focus on the
food service industry.
Increased corporate sales by 10% within the first year by implementing targeted sales strategies and representing the brand at major national exhibitions.
Delivered 95% customer satisfaction through online support, helping clients with spare parts installation and troubleshooting.
Implemented and managed the KEAP database, enhancing customer relationship management and improving data accuracy by 40%.
Purchasing and Production Director Jul 2020 – Jun 2023
A Popular Bunch South Africa
Oversaw purchasing and production operations for an experiential marketing agency, managing retail installation manufacturing for high-profile clients including RedBull, Discovery Health, Budweiser, Beefeater, and Johnnie Walker.
Led a team of 25 specialists, improving production efficiency by 30% through effective management and training programs.
Streamlined purchasing processes, reducing material costs by 15% while ensuring the use of high-quality resources such as timber, metals, and fabrics.
Optimized installation project management, completing national shop-fitting installations 20% faster through improved strategic planning.
Developed a supplier database, reducing lead times by 25% while enhancing supplier relationships.
Founder and Managing Director Dec 2004 – Jun 2020
Lounge News South Africa
Founded and led a specialist manufacturer of soft-seating and coworking space furniture, transforming the company into a key contract-based supplier for major corporations, including securing tenders for multinational companies like Expedia.
Transformed the business model to focus on direct consumer and contract sales, boosting revenue by 25%.
Spearheaded the launch of five new product lines, resulting in a 20% increase in market share.
Secured major tenders with multinational companies, including the manufacture of office furniture for clients like Expedia, The Business Exchange and Raizcorp.
Implemented a comprehensive sales and marketing strategy that increased brand awareness and drove a 35% rise in customer engagement through social media and email marketing campaigns.
Project Development Director Dec 2006 – Mar 2008
Strawberry Twister Properties South Africa
Led the full development lifecycle of Strawberry Twister Properties, a property development company focused on residential and commercial projects. Directed all phases of property acquisition, construction, and sales, delivering high-quality developments on time and within budget.
Successfully developed and sold 56 townhouses (2- and 3-bedroom units) in the first phase, under Sectional Title acquisition.
Managed the development of 3 commercial office towers (4-story buildings) in the second phase, securing key tenants and buyers ahead of project completion.
Oversaw all aspects of the project, from land acquisition to construction and final sales, ensuring compliance with regulations and high-quality construction standards.
Chief Executive Officer Mar 1998 – Jul 2003
Garveni Creations South Africa
Led an award-winning office furniture manufacturer, focusing on export-quality products. Spearheaded the transformation from a dealer-based model to a contract-based supplier, significantly boosting customer retention and export sales. Garnered international recognition for product design and quality, securing key clients such as Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, and Standard Chartered Bank.
Founded an industry-leading manufacturing facility targeting the South African office furniture dealer-market network on a national scale.
Led a team of design experts focusing on export-quality products and implemented a strategically positioned sales force, resulting in a 30% increase in export sales.
Spearheaded the successful launch of new products at exhibition venues in Australia, Canada, Germany, Central Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, generating a significant increase in international sales.
Developed and executed a comprehensive marketing strategy to engage facilitators and consumers from the initialization stage through product rollout and implementation, boosting brand recognition.
Managed the strategic export division, expanding the organization’s global footprint and driving a 30% growth in export revenues.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.), University of South Africa 1986
Major in Economics and Business Economics
Master of Business Leadership, School of Business Leadership - UNISA 1989
Incomplete
SKILLS
Product Development, Strategy & Planning, Sales Leadership, Profitability Analysis, Contract Negotiation, Budgeting & Cost Analysis, Business Policy Development, International Business Development, Process Improvement, Team Leadership & Development, Change Management, Supply Chain Management, Operational Excellence, Strategic Partnership Building
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Pastel Accounting, Quickbooks, CNC Programming, KEAP CRM
LANGUAGES
English [Native], Afrikaans [Fluent], Hebrew [Intermediate], Spanish [Basic]
PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
SABS Award for Excellence in Design 199*-****-**** Runner-up 2002
REFERENCES Provided upon request
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