At CareerBuddy, we specialise in placing exceptional talent with fast-growing organizations. We are thrilled to have played a part in Temitope’s remarkable journey with Uncover. Her dedication and expertise have significantly contributed to the brand’s rapid growth and success in a short period.
Can you tell us about your professional background?
I have about 10 years of experience spanning sales, telecommunications and marketing, both in digital and traditional spaces. My professional journey began at Globacom, where I served as an HNI (High Net-worth Individual) consultant for about six years. In this role, my team and I catered to the unique needs of high-value clients and met their specific requirements while consistently driving towards our targets.
After leaving Globacom, I transitioned to Zaron Cosmetics. I initially joined as the Marketing Team Lead and eventually became the Manager of the Marketing Department. During my tenure, I oversaw everything from product development to market execution. My efforts significantly contributed to our sales targets, often achieving 100% and on bad days, it was never less than 85%. Excellence and efficiency are values I hold dear, and I’m proud to have been recognized as the Most Efficient Staff consecutively while at Zaron.
Currently, I am the Head of Operations for Uncover in Nigeria. I joined Uncover in December 2022.
How did you become the Head of Operations at Uncover?
CareerBuddy reached out to me with an exciting opportunity that would eventually lead to a pivotal role in my career. They were hiring for a role at Uncover and believed I would be a great fit due to my extensive experience in the beauty industry.
By December 2022, I officially joined Uncover as the Head of Operations in Nigeria. This role has been a transformative experience, allowing me to leverage my previous experience while gaining new insights and skills.
How was your onboarding experience at Uncover?
My onboarding experience was seamless.
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A Hassle-free Onboarding.
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Direct Involvement of CEO.
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Decisions were made quickly, without the need for multiple approvals
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After receiving the offer, I sent a counter-offer, and it was finalized after just a few rounds of discussion.
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The pre-offer stage was more complex and thorough due to the strategic importance of the role.
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Precious Samuels, the COO at CareerBuddy, who handled my process was very responsive and supportive, constantly checking in and advocating for me to ensure timely responses from Uncover.
Reflecting on my onboarding, I received the offer, sent a counter-offer, and after just a few rounds of discussion, it was finalized. The process after accepting the offer was very smooth.
What specific goals did you have for the company you wanted to work with? Did CareerBuddy make a great match in that regard?
At the time CareerBuddy reached out to me, my primary goal was to carve out a niche in the beauty space. Business development, sales, and operations are my strong suits, and my experience in these areas, particularly with Zaron and in telecoms, has shaped my career path.
I am passionate about beauty, not just in a superficial sense, but in empowering people, especially women, to be confident in their skin.
My career aspirations were clear: I wanted to continue working with beauty brands. Moving from the manager role at Zaron to my current position as Head of Operations for Uncover in Nigeria was a natural progression.
CareerBuddy played a crucial role in aligning me with my goals. They understood my desire to stay in the beauty space and helped me transition smoothly to Uncover. I joined Uncover with the objective of making a significant impact.
Can you touch on your primary responsibilities as the Head of Operations at Uncover?
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I initially handled multiple roles including Head of Operations, Head of Sales, Marketing Manager, and Account Manager.
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Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure seamless processes and government compliance.
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Led the successful NAVDAC application process and I manage importation and product clearance.
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Negotiating contracts with distributors, retailers, and vendors focusing on profit margins.
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Accountable for achieving Nigeria’s revenue targets, and delegating responsibilities to junior sales team members.
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Directs marketing efforts to enhance brand awareness and customer experience in Nigeria.
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Work closely with the Finance Manager to ensure timely receivables, especially for customers of credit terms.
Essentially, I’m involved in every aspect of Uncover’s business in Nigeria, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
What are some milestones you have achieved at Uncover?
When I started, Uncover was relatively unknown in the Nigerian market. It involved extensive groundwork to establish ourselves. We seeded the products in December before officially launching in January 2023.
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I have successfully expanded our product presence from zero to over 210 stores in less than 2 years. This rapid growth has been a significant milestone for us.
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Onboarded a third-party logistics partner to handle 70% of order fulfillment and warehousing.
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Managed the crucial phase of product seeding in December before the official launch in January 2023, ensuring that Uncover entered the market with a strong foundation.
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Secured partnerships with major distributors, which was crucial for getting Uncover’s products into key retail outlets and increasing market presence.
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By sourcing third-party logistics partners, I streamlined operations, enhancing efficiency and ensuring smooth distribution of products across Nigeria.
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I effectively led a small team during the critical early months that established a solid operational base. My leadership was pivotal in expanding the team and driving collective success.
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Ensuring compliance with local beauty and operational standards was a priority, which helped in building trust and credibility for Uncover in the market.
Did CareerBuddy’s emphasis on cultural fit and team dynamics help you integrate into Uncover’s team?
Absolutely, I would rate it a 10 out of 10. When CareerBuddy connected me with Uncover, it perfectly matched my career goals. My objective was to continue growing within the beauty industry and contribute significantly. CareerBuddy understood this and facilitated the ideal opportunity at Uncover.
Regarding cultural fit, I was particularly keen on a hybrid work environment and flexibility, which Uncover offers. The cultural alignment is spot on as well. It feels like everything fell into place from the moment I started interviewing. So, yes, it’s a perfect 10 out of 10 in terms of alignment with my goals and cultural fit at Uncover.
How has working at Uncover contributed to your personal and professional growth?
Yes, I did mention earlier how impactful this experience has been for me. Working at Uncover has truly been a developmental journey. Despite bringing both hard and soft skills from previous roles, I’ve gained new insights in less than two years here. One significant area of growth has been the demands of my role, which involves extensive travel to negotiate contracts and engage with our distributors and retailers.
While I’ve led teams before, managing a hybrid and remote team presents unique challenges. It requires a different level of trust and communication, allowing me to further improve my leadership abilities. I’ve gained a lot from our one-on-one sessions and the outstanding leadership of our co-founder and CEO, Sneha Mehta. Watching their leadership styles has inspired me and given me a model for my growth.
Moreover, Uncover places a strong emphasis on work-life balance, a core value that is very important to me as someone who values family.
Based on your experience, what would you say sets CareerBuddy apart from other recruiting agencies, particularly in terms of measurable results?
I’ve been recommending CareerBuddy without hesitation. Your responsiveness is unmatched. CareerBuddy is incredibly prompt and efficient. Moreover, the companies you work with are highly professional—they come prepared and ensure a smooth recruitment process.
Unlike some agencies where the experience can be ambiguous or disorganized, CareerBuddy consistently delivers clarity and professionalism. I’ve recommended CareerBuddy to colleagues and even within Uncover, we consider ourselves your loyal customers. Thank you so much for the opportunity.