Donna Bennett Email & Phone Number

Oxford

Oxford, United Kingdom

As a retail manager for a commercial business which turned over £1 million annually, my job spec was broad. I was responsible for all shop team management and continuously involved with a high turnover of product development and merchandising. I managed all IT, till and PDQ issues, and building related maintenance including security and fire alarm systems. A good understanding of the University’s brand and values was crucial in it earning the reputation for high quality products and customer service. 1. Product Development & Coordination – Resourceful tracking of suppliers to create ethically sourced gifts and clothing for the brand 2. Ethical Sourcing Audit Checking – Guaranteeing that suppliers and new products were made in accordance to the company’s Ethical Sourcing Policy, created by Oxford Ltd for the University3.Producing /or Obtaining Reports - Consistent usage of reporting to ensure tactical forecasting of promotions, ordering and budgeting staff costs4.Daily and Weekly Office Duties – Competently overseeing & handling the numerous admin needs for a business that turned over £1 million annually (banking, ordering, stock management, high volume and diverse email correspondence, scheduling meetings and agendas)5.Shop Staff Recruitment/Training & Development – Maintaining a balanced and well-informed retail team throughout the year6.Shop Rota Planning – Producing and controlling a complex shift schedule for up to 10 people7.Planning and Executing Seasonal Strategies- Motivating, delegating and working with the shop staff, Visual Merchandiser and marketing team for planning and preparation of the shop’s monthly seasonal phases.

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

Starting as a porter (T1), I was promoted to a team leader (one of three) in 2007. This entailed managing the porters in their day to day delegation and relief cover. I also participated in their training, job development and necessary disciplinary requirements. The equally important security responsibilities of this role involved overseeing all unlocking & locking procedures for all the buildings on the main site . I also participated with all maintenance and testing of security and fire alarms. My participation with the library's ceremonial events consisted of my managing the porters on duty, some catering tasks and locking procedure responsibilities.

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

I managed a retail team of 6 people and oversaw all shop operations including rotas, banking, weekly ordering and forecast merchandising. The Culpeper retail chain expanded to 12 stores around England and had a good reputation for gift ideas, customer service. This is also where I began learning about merchandising and retail presentation of which this company had a flare for at the time. I was working towards a promotion of regional manager with this company, however when the business began to decline and downsize I looked at other business opportunties.