Donna Willis Email & Phone Number

Durham, Gb

Durham, United Kingdom

As the Digital Communications & Technology Officer at the BSA, I spearhead both the technical oversight of our digital platforms and the strategic implementation of content and engagement efforts. My role encompasses website and CRM system management, IT infrastructure maintenance, content curation, SEO optimisation and analytics monitoring to enhance digital engagement and operational efficiency. I lead initiatives for technological upgrades, manage vendor relationships and ensure our digital strategies align with organisational goals, all while fostering a cohesive digital presence to engage our community effectively.

I was responsible for the development of own‐label products for several of the major multiples, including M&S, BHS, Matalan and Sainsburys. This involved: planning and managing the development of critical paths; regularly visiting customers to ensure current product development adhered to critical paths; managing customer’s expectations effectively; presenting trend information; taking new product development briefs; liaising with the in‐house Design Department and Product Designer to ensure product presentations are in line with the customer’s design brief; presenting proposed concepts to customers – including any packaging developments.Upon product selection, I completed customer paperwork to enable product development to progress to order and manufacture. I also created internal Product Specifications, where attention to detail is critical.I communicated with suppliers on a daily basis, managing and maintaining the supply base; negotiating costs; requesting samples; briefing new product developments; co‐ordination of seal samples and paperwork – ensuring standards are set and adhered to.I provided the business with detailed brand analysis on an ad‐hoc basis, using MS Query to extract data from an AS/400 system.

At Pactiv (UK) Ltd, I was promoted to Applications and Database Administrator at the end of 2001, after serving 3 years as a Sales Resources Co‐ordinator within the Commercial Department. As a key member of the IT Department, I was responsible for providing critical information as part of a company‐wide business transformation project. I queried the MRP system, MFG/Pro, using Progress Query and extracted relevant data relating to sales, stock and manufacturing, analysed it and presented it in table and graphical format to the business on a weekly basis.I was also involved in the design and implementation of web based, business intelligence software, Cognos Powerplay. This involved a major data cleansing activity which included extraction and auditing of the data, data cleansing and uploading clean data. I also managed quality of data and ensured that procedures regarding the input of data were adhered to and reviewed on a regular basis.Whilst I was in the position of Sales Resources Co‐ordinator, main duties included: producing sales against budget performance reports on a weekly basis; administering various Access databases; producing Forecast Packs for the monthly S&OP meeting using Excel to manipulate and analyse forecast data; producing presentations for the Sales Department.

My duties were wide and varied, but my main tasks included the organising and co‐ordination of the company’s marketing activities including direct mailing and sourcing company literature – including a re‐branding project; the administration and maintenance of the sales database (Unix based); liaising with customers and processing orders. I was also responsible for IT support within the company, providing an internal help desk function for staff. I was responsible for the installation of new hardware and software within the company.