ASSOCIATE SPOTLIGHT SERIES: AN INTERVIEW WITH RAFAEL PIRES DE LEMOS

August 24, 2022

In our Associate Spotlight series, we are highlighting associates across the company who are shaping our community and who embody our Life at Centric philosophy every day.

Meet Rafael Pires de Lemos, Allocator, Buffalo at Centric Brands. In his Interview, Rafael discusses his role, what he enjoys most about working at Centric Brands and the importance of challenging the status quo. Rafael is based in the Centric Brands Montreal office.

What is your role at Centric Brands? Tell us a little about it.

I am a merchandise allocator. In a nutshell, my role is to check what has been bought or sold so that we can fulfill orders at their maximum. I work mainly with Kids as well as Caterpillar, which is a new division that has been performing well.

Since Caterpillar is newer, can you share what it is like supporting the brand?

The brand has limitless opportunities for growth, which is very exciting. There are so many pieces to this puzzle and each one plays a fundamental part in our success. I work closely with Business Development, Sales, Procurement and Customer Service to make sure that we have all the tools to proceed and have the merchandise properly planned for our customers. I am always focused on avoiding delays and shortages.

Why is building community important to you?

The words that I would define as key to building a community are “revolution” and “evolution”. I think a person that chooses to be alone or isolated is not challenged and therefore does not challenge the status quo. Community does the opposite; it allows you to evolve, grow and connect with others. The team at Centric Brands provides many opportunities for us to build community, which I appreciate.

Can you tell us about the Montreal office?

We have a great ambiance and culture at the Montreal office, and I feel that we’re all celebrated just for being who we are. We share stories and get to know each other through events, lunches and more. This is especially important for me as an immigrant and queer person.