Experience

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  Commercial

  • Cheltenham, England, United Kingdom

  • Sales Operations Co-ordinator

    • Apr 2022 - Present
    • Cheltenham, England, United Kingdom

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  SAS Global Communications

  • Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

  • Operations Coordinator

    • Nov 2018 - Feb 2022
    • Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

    As a member of the customer facing team, my primary focus was liaison between customers and internal departments and my main duties were as follows:• Developed and maintained strong customer relationships by leading regular client meetings, generating customer reports, distributing minutes and following up to ensure that actions were completed.• Managed the customer facing helpdesk, providing responses within agreed SLAs and regularly updating systems and customers as projects progressed. • Coordinated the flow of information between the customers and internal departments, recorded order details accurately on internal work management software systems and ensured that any changes to requirements were captured and communicated to relevant team members. • Liaised with internal stakeholders to ensure the timely resolution of customer support issues and the implementation of development change requests, according to customer priorities. • Monitored project progress against customer budgets and resolved discrepancies, recorded final project costs in the accounting system, managed the signoff of orders for completed work and ensured timely invoicing.• Organised regular software releases, issued release notes and completed post-release system updates.• Other non-core responsibilities included proofreading of proposals and blogs; updating of company website; organisation of office maintenance and team events.

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  AAMp Creative

  • Lane End, Buckinghamshire

  • Account Manager

    • Dec 2010 - Jan 2018
    • Lane End, Buckinghamshire

    Working alongside the Account Director of this marketing & design agency, I provided the main point of contact for clients - building strong relationships and providing outstanding levels of customer service. I managed multiple time-sensitive projects including new range launches, promotional materials, websites, video animations, point of sale and specific seasonal events. I worked closely with suppliers, building partnerships and ensuring that project deadlines were achieved.I worked collaboratively with the client and the design studio to develop creative briefs and trafficked each project through the creative process – proofreading and editing supplied copy and providing copywriting assistance where applicable, managing and checking amends, ensuring artwork approval by the agreed deadline and co-ordinating supply of files for printing. My strong eye for detail ensured that administrative tasks were executed accurately and to a high standard including creating estimates, raising invoices, monitoring client budgets, managing supplier costs, recording accurate studio timesheets and maintaining product databases and spreadsheets.

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  Hunts - paper & pixels

  • Kidlington

  • Account Handler

    • Nov 2009 - Oct 2010
    • Kidlington

    For this role I moved from print management to working directly for a B2 printer, enabling me to consolidate my knowledge of the printing process. I worked with a wide range of small and large B2C and B2B clients in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. My primary objective was providing outstanding levels of customer service. Quick turnaround times and a high level of accuracy were required when taking briefs, creating estimates, booking-in jobs, managing the artwork supply & approval process and resolving customer issues. I also managed the implementation of the company rebrand across a range of printed materials and assisted in organising on-site client workshops.

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  Polestar

  • Milton Keynes and Dunstable

  • Account Manager

    • Jan 2006 - Nov 2009
    • Milton Keynes and Dunstable

    As the print management arm of one of the largest web and gravure printers in Europe, my team worked with clients such as Monarch Airlines, 3M, Cosmos, Homebase and Virgin.I provided a single source of contact for clients, managing their print requirements and taking responsibility for the smooth running of accounts and delivering customer satisfaction. I managed all aspects of each print project through to completion and added value by identifying the best production methods and areas where potential cost savings might be achieved.I used a web based e-procurement system to electronically manage each print project - from generating quote requests and purchase orders, to uploading artwork files and ensuring expenditure figures were accurately recorded for invoicing and forecasting purposes.

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  Active International

  • Langley, Berkshire

  • Account Manager

    • Feb 2004 - Oct 2005
    • Langley, Berkshire

    This was a customer-facing role for a trade barter/print management company, based on-site at the client’s offices (Cendant/Cims)I was a key contact for clients across the company, capturing print requirements, project handling print jobs and offering advice on the best methods for producing items. I gained a good understanding of different printing processes including digital, sheet-fed litho and web through production of an extensive range of printed materials.Each print project included taking the brief, supplying quotations, generation of purchase orders using tailor-made database system, organising supply of artwork and proof approval by client, managing suppliers to ensure that deadlines were maintained, checking that file copies matched requirements and processing and approval of supplier invoices.

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  Cims Limited

  • Wexham Springs, Slough

  • Directory Process Manager promoted from Production Manager

    • Jun 1999 - Dec 2003
    • Wexham Springs, Slough

    Cims was a financial marketing company, working with blue chip banking clients including Lloyds TSB, RBS, NatWest and Barclaycard.As Production Manager, I developed an excellent knowledge of the printing process through production of a wide range of materials including books, leaflets, bangtail envelopes, plastic cards, keyrings and some direct mail materials. I negotiated prices and timings with suppliers, managed them to ensure agreed deadlines were met, quality checked proofs and final printed materials and resolved quality issues.With promotion to Directory Process Manager, I project managed hotel and restaurant discount directories through the development and production process, ensuring delivery on time and to budget. I built successful relationships with project teams in the UK and Europe and facilitated effective communication between team members, through regular status meetings and reports. I also organised and chaired planning and review meetings.

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  Grolier Interactive

  • Oxford, United Kingdom

  • Assistant Product Manager promoted from UK/European Sales Co-ordinator

    • Apr 1997 - Mar 1999
    • Oxford, United Kingdom

    Grolier was a developer and publisher of PC and PlayStation computer games. In my first role, I provided administrative support for 4 sales managers, despatched various information materials such as presentations, samples and point of sale material and supplied box and manual artwork to distributors for localisation.I also undertook public relations activities across Europe which involved promotional tours, building of relationships with journalists, and the supply of press releases, screenshots and review copies.Following promotion to Assistant Product Manager, I managed production of packaging artwork in various languages, liaised with the localisation company regarding translations for promotional materials, used my foreign language skills for checking and proof reading of text and arranged focus groups to assess new games.

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  Interactive Marketing

  • Shrivenham, Wiltshire

  • Operations Co-ordinator promoted from Marketing Assistant

    • May 1996 - Apr 1997
    • Shrivenham, Wiltshire

    Initially I worked as Marketing Assistant for this field research agency, whose clients included leading magazine and computer games’ publishers. This involved co-ordinating tactical merchandising operations including calculation of critical path and call coverage, brief writing for field reps and production of results reports for clients. I was promoted to Operations Co-ordinator, undertaking management and training of field reps, distributing research materials and providing main office contact point for field managers.

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  Timbalex

  • Bicester

  • PA to Group Project Manager

    • Aug 1995 - May 1996
    • Bicester

    I started this role on a temporary long-term contract basis after graduating and was asked to stay on a permanent basis. Role included general typing duties, creation of spreadsheets, graphs and presentations plus occasional reception duties.