Simon Balzer

Hansgrohe, since 1901 has offered high quality, innovative and award winning products that shape the flow of water in the kitchen and the bathroom. Hansgrohe develops ground-breaking solutions that unite extraordinary design, long-lasting quality and intelligent features for maximum ease of use.

Argent are leaders in providing the finest quality bathroom and kitchen products & solutions throughout Australia. A family business that was started back in 1958 and, now in it’s 6th decade of operation, Argent supplies the Retail, Project and Builder markets nationally

Responsibilities - Managing a budget with full P&L responsibilities of $30m per annum increasing margin by 17% - Leading a team of 22 staff across all channels, online, retail and commercial - Rapidly restructure the sales division to arrest consecutive four-year decline in sales. - Identifying gaps in the sales team and sales system and a new strategic plan developed - Optimising Sales management team, standardising and streamlining sales processes - Building new sales performance metrics and high performance sales system - The following year achieving order growth of 40% and open order book growth of 87% YoY - Developing reporting tracking individual key performance targets - Effectively communicating objectives and results to Managing Director and Management team - Providing strong business leadership, engendering followership in all aspects of the business - Improving operational efficiency of the business across functions - Developing sales activity plans aligned with marketing activity and product development - Maximising product launches that are aligned with the company’s strategic plan. - Designing and implementing a new CRM platform delivering greater sales efficiency - Strengthened existing strategic partnerships with Lend Lease - Establishing new partnerships with Mirvac, Aqualand, Time & Place and major home builders - Performance reviews, product and professional selling skills training - Optimising S&OP Management for improved demand planning

Miele Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Miele Germany, a multinational company employing over 15,000 people worldwide with an annual turnover in excess of six billion euro. An internationally recognised brand of premium Germany engineered and manufactured domestic kitchen appliances, commercial laundry and medical sterilisation equipment. The Miele Projects Division is responsible for developing and maintaining business partnerships with architects, interior designer, developers and builders in the residential construction industry. The division was established in 1999 and consists of twenty staff across Australia and New Zealand. Responsibilities Development and implement the division’s channel plan and sales strategy. Other responsibilities include managing major national accounts (Mirvac, Stockland, Lend Lease and Multiplex.), working with the senior leadership team and drafting policy, documenting processes and improvement; Gathering market research and intelligence on emerging market trends for strategic analysis. Analysis of new business opportunities and the development of business plans for new channels within the residential property industry; Participating in the development of strategic partnerships, joint ventures and alliances with related industry products (kitchen and furniture companies); Conduct regular performance reviews, staff development including sales training, skills development and succession planning; Maintaining and developing strategic relationships with accounting, finance, consulting, logistics, human resources and other functional areas to develop effective working partnerships.

Managing a State based sales team of seven direct reports, with the aim of growing the sales pipeline and day-to-day sales operation. While also looking for opportunities in emerging markets as well and maintaining key clients, Mirvac, Australand, Stockland, Lend Lease and Multiplex. Achievements Winning a tender for the re-development of the Acton Hotel by the Molongolo Group in Canberra worth $3.5 million for a total of 450 apartments. Set a new monthly invoicing record for NSW Projects Division in September 2009

Working with Architect, Developers, Interior Deisgners and Builders within the construction industry to providing domestic appliance solutions for high end luxury apartments. Handling over 200 projects in the Sydney Metro and Canberra region generating consistent sales of $3+ million per annum. Key responsibilities included maintaining existing client base, increasing market share, architectural product training and management of commercial agents. Achievements Successfully changed industries and quickly developed relationships with key customers within the residential property industry. Established myself as a valuable and reliable team member who contributed positively to the team. Generated $1.5m worth of orders in the first twelve months in the job Developed a pipeline of $9m worth of orders over a three year period

Deferred indefinitely