Staff Officer in Further Education and Training

• Jul 2019 - Present

Assist the Head of FETs Department/Director of FET in the provision of an efficient and effective service. Provide guidance and continued training on the SOLAS PLSS Database including FARR and the National Course Calendar & Learner Database and system updates to FET Centre Managers, Programme Co-ordinators and Administration Staff. Ensuring all activity is accurately and fully recorded on the FARR and PLSS database. Ensure managers are aware of the real-time information required for learner/trainee dropout, completion, certification, placement into employment, progression, literacy and numeracy and participation of people with disabilities on courses. Be responsible for the collation and completion of statistical analysis relating to programmes and certification of all FET Programmes including: I) PLSS programme planning reports II) Collating statistical data for FARR for the planning and utilisation reports and III) Reports on programme results as requested by SOLAS & the FET Director. Ensure all key timelines and dates for the submission of annual Longford Westmeath ETB statistical data is adhered to in accordance with the SOLAS Overarching Planning and Funding Parameters and Requirements for Education and Training Boards.  Ensure all PLSS Administrators are aware of data gaps in their ESF returns on a timely basis & provide support to staff in updating their data. Support the relevant FET Managers/Coordinators in uploading the annual End-of-Year FET statistical reports for ESF Funded Programmes to the SOLAS e-Cohesion system.  Annual review of the internal controls including risk management for the work area. Attend and contribute to internal meetings attached to the functional area as directed by the Head of FETs Department/ Director of FET.

Clerical Officer

• Mar 2019 - Jul 2019

Branch Manager, Area Loss Prevention Manager and Health and Safety Rep for Southern Ireland

• Jan 2009 - Mar 2019

• Area Loss Prevention Manager for southern Ireland• Support Red alert / high weekly loss stores (with a weekly loss of over £400) on the area through visits, report analysis, coaching and training.• Present Stockloss Training at Area / Regional Meetings.• Support and deliver Brand operational and Loss Prevention training when required.• Advise new & Inexperienced Managers on Stocktake preparation. To be the first point of contact during the count (While auditors are present on site to help resolve any queries before finalisation of count).• To support Store Manager’s induction by delivering detailed expectations of Store Procedures and Stockloss awareness. To action a follow up visit 2 weeks after the Store Manager is live.• To advise and review Store Stockloss Action plans, ensuring consistency & delivering the Brand expectation.• Deliver Operational consistency across all stores through analysis of common weaknesses• Health & Safety, Fire Safety, relevant compliance training for teams throughout Ireland including GDPR.• People leadership & management (including Recruitment, induction, development, managing performance, conduct, wellbeing)• Drive excellent customer service through online customer opinion surveys• Maximise store contribution through exploring every opportunity to drive sales and maintain cost controls.• Deliver the highest levels of motivation and development of team members and ensure individual and store compliance with all company regulations and procedures.• Drive the highest possible standards of in-store visual impact while ensuring brand/layout guidelines are being correctly adhered to. • Promote the highest standards of instore training including weekly communication, daily de-briefs, product knowledge and on the job coaching. • Maximise sales by using sales and space reports to determine correct allocation of space within store and use sales history to condense or open space out seasonally

Manager

• May 2007 - Jan 2009

• Responsible for turning around two stores that had previously been making a loss. • Increased sales volume. Designed more attractive merchandise presentation strategies and special marketing campaigns, resulting in increased store traffic and profits. • Hired and trained sales staff. Responsibilities included purchasing, merchandising, customer service, and all facets of running a retail store.

Brand Manager

• May 2006 - May 2007

• Planned and executed new product launches and sales promotions.• Compiled a strong customer base through effective relationship management.• Controlled the amount of stock sent to the stores and also decide which stores should receive what stock (through extensive analysis and using commercial awareness)• Interact with stores; liaise with store managers and area managers about implementing new lines, stock replenishment and guiding them about merchandising products through frequent store visits.• Take part in buying stock in Ralph Lauren headquarters in London and Milan.

Manager

• Mar 2005 - May 2006

• Opened and managed the above department store, with responsibility for 50+ employees.• Responsible for the day to day management of a large number of staff, dealing with all HR issues and resolving any staff conflicts that arise.• Supervised the Ladies wear department of a large department store.• Coordinated the scheduling of staff holidays and the implementation of new sales targets.• Provided direction for the staff within my team, completing performance assessments, providing constructive feedback and resolving tensions.• Placed orders to restock merchandise and handled receiving of products.• Integrated new register functions.• Extensive work with visual standards and merchandising high-ticket items.

Customer Service Representative

• Sep 2003 - Mar 2005

• Develop and coach people within the call center.• Assisted with the management of day to day activities within the customer contact center.• Contribute to the overall departmental goal.• Respond to Customer telephone inquiries in accordance with defined standards for quality and productivity.• Issue monetary (debits and credits) adjustments, as defined by Bank policy and applicable regulations.• Plan team competitions to achieve targets and promote cross-sell opportunities

Junior Marketing Consultant

• Jan 2002 - Sep 2002

Co-Operative work experience while in University of Limerick• Market research on new business developments within Ireland.• Targeting prospective clients, while keeping an updated file of clients.• Organisation of breakfast seminars (New Pensions Legislation) throughout Ireland for both current and prospective clients.