MEET AMY LENNOX: RETAIL RECRUITMENT CONSULTANT.
Our newest angel, Amy, has just joined Relier Group as our second full-time National Recruitment Consultant—teaming up with Ruby to keep all things retail running flawlessly. Get to know Amy.
Our newest Angel, Amy.
Tell us about your retail journey — where did it all begin, and which brands have shaped your career?
It all began when I started helping out in my parents cafe after we moved to Queensland. School holidays and some weekends consisted of delivering orders, eating as much as I could and being little miss chatterbox with the team and customers. That's where my passion for understanding people, delivering great service and genuine connection first blossomed. Every brand I've worked with since has shaped me in some way. I've always believed it's important to step outside your comfort zone and experience different environments! Small businesses, Australian-led brands and international powerhouses each bring their own processes, standards, training and leaders. Some teach you exactly what to do whilst others teach you what not to do. I've found the most high-pressure environments have ultimately been where I've learn’t the most about people, leadership, clients and business.
“My biggest passion has always been people — learning what drives and motivates them.”
What key roles have been most influential across your 15+ years in retail?
Every role has contributed to my success in the fashion leadership space in its own way. Managing larger-format retailers taught me so much about fast-paced environments, people leadership and productivity. Some of my most treasured memories came from working with Australian-led brands. There was far more room for creativity and flexibility in how I coached and developed my team, styled clients and led recruitment. Having autonomy in my role has always been incredibly important to me.
What excited you most about joining Relier as National Retail Recruiter?
My biggest passion has always been people; learning what drives and motivates them. As an industry expert, I now get to educate and guide the next generation on the right path for their fashion retail career. Lauren gave me my first full-time role in fashion over a decade ago, so joining Relier truly feels like the perfect pairing. I couldn't be more excited to work alongside her and the incredible Relier team.
“If someone has the hunger and humility to want more, there’s nothing they can’t achieve.”
Why does your hands-on retail background make you someone candidates can trust in their job search?
I've experienced most roles in this industry. From casual through to senior leadership and have had the privilege of supporting global marketing teams, as well as dipping into design, buying, and category management along the way. When you've worked across small and large-scale businesses, truly understood their processes and learned what drives and motivates people, you become a genuine industry specialist. My favourite part of working in fashion retail was always coaching and developing people. Now in recruitment, I get to do exactly that. Guide candidates on a genuine path, support them with interview preparation and help them make the decision that is truly right for their long-term career in fashion retail.
What has working in retail taught you about what great leadership and talent look like?
I genuinely believe every single role within a business contributes to the overall success, it doesn't matter if you're a cleaner or the CEO, you are contributing to the success of the business. Strong leaders know each team member by name. They understand what drives them, what their passions are and where their opportunities for growth lie. They share knowledge and insights freely to help their people succeed. When this is missing, you see it clearly, team turnover is high and conversion is low. As for talent, it truly is everything. You have to have the right people on the bus if you want it to go far. I always look for culture and values first, skills can be trained. If someone has the hunger and humility to want more with the right leader behind them, there's nothing they can't achieve.
Taylah, Em & Amy
What do you think employers often miss when hiring retail talent?
The retail landscape in Australia has changed significantly since COVID-19. Employees are seeking more flexibility, which can be challenging to navigate in retail and leadership roles. I believe hiring managers need to be open to it for the right people. I also find that too much focus is placed on job title, brand name, tenure, and location. Sometimes, that approach misses the mark entirely. Staying somewhere too long can actually be a disservice to your career. Some of the most driven, values-aligned candidates are the ones who have been consistently overlooked. The quiet achievers who never quite got their moment in the spotlight. In my experience, these are the hires that end up surprising you the most in the best possible way.
“The best leaders are the ones their teams remember for years.”
What advice would you give someone ready to step from the shop floor into leadership?
My advice is to truly learn and understand every area of the business first. Retail spans across so many functions. People and culture, operations, visual merchandising, finance and budgeting, clienteling, recruitment, coaching and development. The list goes on! If you're going to lead a team, regardless of its size or the pace of the business, you need to ask yourself an honest question: are you genuinely prepared to handle every situation that comes your way with fairness and without bias? You are responsible for people - their safety, the business performance and a site location.
The best leaders are the ones their teams remember for years, because they made a real, positive impact.
Seeking your next retail opportunity? Add our girl Amy to your Linkedin network and send her a message to chat further x