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Full Work History

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Rather get a quick overview? Or check out my timeline.

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Read on for a detailed work history including experiences and skills gained in each role.

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04/2018 - NOW - Freelance Artist 

I'm currently working part time from my home in Essex, England on various artistic projects  ranging from book illustration for young adult and children's literature, traditional works for clients on a commission basis and various personal ventures. I'm available for hire by individuals and organisations for projects ranging from the very small such as individual gifts, portraits or greetings cards to larger projects like personalised books, memorial pieces and wall art. Contact me or view some of my work here. My work can also be viewed and purchased through many of the various 'social links' to the left of this page. (or in the page menu if you're viewing via mobile)/ 

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02/2018 – 04/2018 – Branch Manager HSS Hire

I was very honoured to be offered this position directly after my initial interview and whilst I was only with the company for a short time I gained a wealth of experience. My role included running all daily operations within the Tonbridge branch, selling consumables and hiring out equipment from lawnmowers to cherry pickers and cranes to sites across the country.
I managed a small team and my position included coordinating maintenance, health and safety compliance, monitoring fraud and generating income by building client relationships and tracking KPIs amongst many other things.
During my employment I was fully trained in how to PAT test, received electrical maintenance and equipment servicing training (on both electrical and petrol equipment) and became accomplished in account handling - including credit, debt and remittance management.
I developed an in-depth understanding of the company logistics and software model, completed management training in the company’s Eastbourne branch of excellence, attended personal development and work experience at the regions busiest branch in Aylesford and attended numerous client meetings to successfully secure new contracts for my branch.  
I was very sad to leave this position after a significant change in personal circumstance but am eager to build upon the opportunities I received. 

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08/2017 – 12/2017 – Department Supervisor The Range

After only a few months with The Range I was appointed the role of Supervisor on the departments of Arts and Crafts and Stationary and Party. My role included responsibility for the replenishment and management of stock both on the shop floor and in the warehouse, adherence to health and safety procedures, keeping discrepancies to a minimum and supporting the admin team with any investigations. I was given independent control of how to manage my staff including their personal development, performance reviews and the execution of disciplinary action where required. I managed rotas and implemented a blueprint schedule, had regular meetings with the other team leaders across the store and weekly meetings with my team where I issued briefings and task planners. My team and I managed all pricing, conducted moves and worked to POGs and I had the opportunity to work alongside Hallmark and other company reps to implement new lines and manage stock.

My duties also included management of discontinued stock, responsibility for markdowns, product recalls and active offers, handing monthly promotions and in store craft events hosted by DoCraft and leading customer care on the department.

During my time in this position I also successfully conceived, planned, promoted and hosted two promotional events in store – a children's craft event during the school summer holidays and a Halloween competition and face painting day.

I retained many of the Customer service duties with additional responsibilities and provided support across the store on many occasions including supporting set up on the seasonal department and playing an active role in visual merchandising for the Christmas period.

Whilst in this role I received No ID No Sale training, became an appointed ‘firework champion’ for the sale of BrightStar Fireworks including training on how to receive, handle store and sell fireworks safely and conducted the Windsor and Newton training programme.

 

05/2017 – 08/2017 - Customer Service Adviser The Range

Whilst working in the offices a position opened at the customer service desk and I was invited to take the role due to my background in customer services.

During my time on the desk I worked with my team to provide exemplary customer service and handle all customer queries and concerns including working with customers to place orders from the main DC's and all refunds and returns – alongside this I had involvement in the management and allocation of till staff, queue and customer management across the department, store security, stock replenishment, date rotation, operation of the MyKey key cutting machine, placing external orders, the rental of Rug Doctor machinery and the responsibility of liaising with all outside contractors, charities and Reps who visited the store.

During my time in this position I was also given many opportunities to aid in store promotion and act as a representative of the Range and to work alongside the supervisors to help with merchandising and displays; including POS promotion, merchandising stands and the implementation of FSDUs. I had the experience of working both to strict POGs and visual merchandising schematics and with a more creative, flexible approach when dressing windows or designing furniture layouts and overhead displays across the store.

 

03/2017 – 05/2017 - Admin Clerk The Range

I was offered this job on recommendation from The Job Centre and during my time in this role I became further accomplished in cash reconciliation and banking via the use of PCMS BeanStore.

My main duties induced corresponding with different areas of the company regarding store events and issues, preparing information and updates for the departments via email and bulletin systems and placing customer orders to our main DCs. I was also heavily involved in managing stock levels via a negatives system and investigating discrepancies - including the management of theft, stock loss and waste. Alongside this I was involved in processing GRNs and reporting on errors to DCs and suppliers and was responsible for the monitoring of trading standards compliance across the store.

 

02/2017 – 03/2017 Voluntary position at The Job Centre Tunbridge Wells

I was offered this role shortly after visiting The Job Centre as part of my job search and formed an excellent relationship with the advisers there. I initially started with helping to process paperwork and create clear and eye catching displays of job adverts and other community information. I also worked as a ‘digital buddy’ - assisting visitors with using the computers and navigating the gov.uk website but became heavily involved with helping clients develop their CVs and apply for suitable jobs. I particularly enjoyed this experience and had the opportunity to work closely with many people from different backgrounds and with different levels of ability.

 

06/2016 – 12/2016 Storeman Eriks Ford Dagenham

I had the amazing opportunity to work at Ford Engine Plant on three shift pattern working with a team of between 2 and 10 people to handle the 24 hour receipt of goods from across the world and their distribution over 44 acres to around 4,000 staff.
My job involved the use of large robotic mechanised storage and retrieval machines (SRMs) to process requisitions for items from across the plant, coordinating and preparing for stock distribution, counting stock and working with stores analysts to identify issues.
I frequently lone worked the area for item collection, ensuring the correct goods were allocated to the necessary people as they arrived in our department and this gave me the opportunity to form good relationships with many different areas and departments and often personally consult with members of the plant to fulfil specific needs or requests and deal with any issues.
Unfortunately the company were unable to extend my contract.

 

04/2016- 06/2016 Kitchen assistant Souper Juice Tunbridge Wells

I joined the team at Souper juice with the intention to start fresh and learn new skills - the cafe was run by my friend and was an opportunity to face new challenges with a high potential for promotion or greater involvement with the business if I enjoyed it.

I obtained a wonderful insight in to the hospitality industry, learned more about health and hygiene standards across the sector and took the opportunity to learn more about how a small business can be developed and managed.

I can also make a really good lemon drizzle cake now.

 

2012-2016 Toolstation Tunbridge Wells

08/2013 – 04/2016 Supervisor

2013 - Key holder

2012-2013: Customer service representative (CSR)

Across these three positions I spent 4 years in total working in a small warehouse open to trade and public custom - selling plumbing, electrical and building equipment, power

tools, hand tools and fittings.

My customer service standards were mentioned several times in company newsletters and I worked with new employees to develop customer service and compliance skills whilst helping to develop existing staff members with the use of regular training, appraisals and reviews.

I was responsible for handling customer complaints, liaising with other areas of the business and dealing with visitors and contractors to site. I handled catalogue changeovers and launches including preparing stock displays.

When I was appointed key holder I became heavily involved in stock management (10,000+ lines) and often managed the receipt of large deliveries of goods (SRS processing), compiling and reporting on delivery errors, running stock checking on PI cycles and investigating and reporting on stock errors and losses to our profit protection team.

I became first aid and fire warden trained, conducted frequent risk assessments and completed monthly checks on WEEE, COSH, alarm systems and asbestos monitoring alongside typical operations paperwork.

As a supervisor I conducted cash reconciliation and banking daily and often opened and ran the store for periods between 9 and 12 hours, also attending out of hours call outs.

I had an excellent relationship with our staff and customers and I was offered many opportunities to stay with the business but with no likelihood of promotion in the foreseeable future and no room for further personal growth I made the difficult decision to try something new.

 

10/2011 - 12/2011 Christmas Customer Adviser Argos Tunbridge Wells
A temporary position working in both a warehouse and customer services setting. Involved processing cash and card payments and various voucher codes and gift cards, sourcing items in the warehouse for customers and gathering customer feedback.

 

01/2010 - 09/2011 Voluntary position at Magic Attic Save the Children
Working in all aspects of retail my role included a 9 week period of covering management duties in the absence of a team leader.
Opening and closing the shop, managing staff of mixed ages and abilities, working with the probation service (community service staff) and foreign exchange student programme, doing paperwork and data entry on to the company internet system, cashing up and banking.

2010: Voluntary position at the Children’s Trust Tadworth

My first experience of retail included predominantly cash handling and an introduction to customer services, processing new and donated goods including clothing, household and nursery items and developing a working understanding of the government gift aid system.

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