Leading Edge Retail has welcomed Lee Scott back into the business as general manager of strategic procurement.
Scott was with Leading Edge Retail for 14 years across various roles, most recently as group general manager, before leaving the company at the end of 2018. He returns to the business after more than one year as general manager for merchandise and marketing at Auto One Australia.
In his new role, Scott is assisting Leading Edge’s four technology-based categories and its membership by continuing to build new and existing supplier relationships.
He is also responsible for seeking out and negotiating improved pricing and stock deals for Leading Edge members and working with the executive team to increase the size of the Leading Edge marketplace offering. Scott will have authority to make purchases on specific or exclusive deals for members due to his proven negotiation skills and history of successful supplier relationship management.
Leading Edge Retail group CEO, Simon Lane said having Lee re-join the team is a major coupe for Leading Edge, who have long regarded him as one of the leaders of the Australian retail technology industry.
“Lee’s return coincides with a major resurgence in the group and its offerings. We have had a great 2020 despite the pandemic and are performing even better this year. With several new initiatives being launched this half, Lee’s arrival couldn’t be better timed.”
Commenting on his return, Scott acknowledged that “everything seemed oddly familiar yet completely different”, welcoming system changes and a renewed commitment to small family businesses.
Scott is based in the Leading Edge head office at Chatswood in Sydney’s north, and reports directly to Lane.