Career History  – Richard Mann

Leadership 

• Leadership & Team Development

• Training & Development

• Adaptability & Strategic Vision

• Collaboration Across Teams

• Negotiation & Stakeholder Engagement

• Cross-Cultural Communication

Commercial & Strategic Skills

• Business Development & Growth (B2B & B2C)

• Global Procurement & Supplier Negotiation

• Account Management & Client Relationships

• Budgeting & Forecasting

• Digital Marketing Strategy

• Contract Negotiation

• AI Strategy

• International Business

• SME Start Ups

• e-commerce

Operations & Performance Management

• Operational Strategy & Execution

• Change & Transformation Management

• Supply Chain & Logistics Management

• Continuous Improvement

• Performance Measurement & Reporting

• Risk & Compliance Oversight

I’m a commercially driven and operationally hands-on professional with a deep background in international procurement, business development, and SME start-up growth. My career spans over 20 years across manufacturing, e-commerce, and the building materials sector, where I’ve built businesses, led sourcing operations across Europe and Asia, and developed scalable strategies that deliver results

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From launching my own seven-figure decorative materials import company to managing global supplier networks and directing national account relationships, I’ve always focused on turning commercial goals into operational success. Whether negotiating directly with factories in China and India or managing UK-based teams through digital transitions, I bring a grounded, results-first mindset to everything I do.

Procurement & International Sourcing

Procurement has been at the core of my career. I’ve led complex negotiations with global manufacturers, reduced costs across high-volume product categories, and built supply chains that support long-term growth. During my time at Johnson Tiles, I managed sourcing strategies across Europe and Asia, secured cost-effective agreements, and ensured quality and compliance through extensive vendor auditing and performance tracking.

Whether it’s working factory-direct, developing new sourcing routes, or mitigating risk in fast-moving markets, I understand the realities of international trade and the importance of strong supplier relationships.

SME Start-Ups & Entrepreneurial Growth

In 2021, I founded Premier Porcelain / Tile Store Direct, importing home improvement products from international partners and selling directly to both consumers and trade. I grew the business to seven-figure turnover within three years, built an efficient e-commerce and logistics operation, and successfully exited the business.

That hands-on start-up experience sharpened every part of my commercial toolkit — from pricing strategy and supply chain optimisation to brand development, digital marketing, and customer engagement. It also confirmed my belief in staying agile, data-informed, and responsive to changing markets.

E-Commerce & Business Development

Throughout my career I’ve launched product ranges, expanded into new markets, and built lasting relationships with key customers and partners. I view business development as more than just sales — it’s about aligning capability with opportunity and building trust through consistency and delivery.

In recent years, I’ve focused heavily on e-commerce growth, working across SEO, digital ad strategy, user experience, and back-end operations. I’ve also applied AI and automation tools to streamline business processes, customer journeys, and internal decision-making. This modern skillset complements my traditional background, allowing me to bring fresh thinking to long-standing commercial challenges.

Adaptive, Practical & Results-Driven

One of the things I pride myself on is adaptability. I’m comfortable navigating change, learning new skills, and adjusting strategies when the market shifts. I don’t believe in standing still, and I continue to invest time into digital tools, emerging tech like AI, and automation that can help businesses run smarter.

What I offer is a rare blend of big-picture strategy and operational realism. Whether supporting a business through a period of growth, developing procurement strategies, or helping a founder stabilise and scale — I bring clarity, structure, and commercial focus.

 Career Highlights


 ✅ Founded, scaled, and exited Premier Porcelain / Tile Store Direct, building from zero to seven-figure turnover in under 3 years.
 ✅ Managed global procurement and sourcing across China, India, Europe, and Turkey at Johnson Tiles — leading cost-saving strategies and vendor performance systems.
 ✅ Led national account growth with clients like B&Q and Topps Tiles, increasing revenue by 50% during tenure.
✅ Developed multi-channel product portfolios across commercial and retail sectors.
✅ Transitioned e-commerce models to omni-channel B2B growth – building profitable trade partnerships and logistics systems.
✅ Delivered consultancy projects focused on digital marketing, AI automation, supplier strategy, and commercial transformation for SMEs.

 ✅ Continuously upskilled in SEO, e-commerce strategy, digital operations, and AI integration to stay at the forefront of business change.