My (Redacted) CV
Profile
I’ve gathered experience in a range of areas, and am able to apply those lessons to a multiple of situations. I am brimming with curiosity, happy to ask if I can’t find my own answers, and my sense of humour and relentless optimism allow me to get on well with a wide range of people. I’m currently studying for a degree with the Open University, and enjoy discovering how much I didn’t know I don’t know.
Skills/Experience
As a musician, I’ve played upright bass in bands around the country. Apart from the actual playing, this has also involved promotion, design, website creation/management, and being a sound engineer in both live and studio environments. It also brings the joys of arranging for a group of already busy people to be in the same room at the same time!
I’m computer literate, with a working knowledge of various incarnations of Windows, Linux, and macOS, as well as an assortment of software used for video, audio and image manipulation, word processing, spreadsheets, and generic internet and email applications. I often resolve IT problems at work and for family/friends. Recently I decided to investigate how much I could get done using just an iPad, and am 97% of the way to not needing a “real” computer again.
Raising funds to extend and maintain a public skatepark in Banbury, I worked alongside the council to organise and publicise events featuring live bands and DJ’s, as well as separate competitions for BMX riders, skateboarders, and inline skaters with prizes donated from local businesses, as well as national magazines and distributors.
A keen photographer, I own a both a traditional 35mm SLR and a few digital cameras, and often put them to use documenting my other main interests; cycling and music.
Work History
Secret Sales
May 2022 - Current Working as part of a close-knit team of customer success advocates for a rapidly expanding e-commerce marketplace platform, ensuring any issues our customers have are dealt with promptly to guarantee their experience leads to them coming back for more. My role entails liaising with the sellers on our platform and our customers, often fighting for what’s best for the customer while being mindful of the needs of the business. As our company grows rapidly, I often notice patterns that suggest a bigger problem. My cross-departmental work helps us prevent future catastrophe. I enjoy presenting solutions, or at least temporary fixes, when raising these issues. More details in My Role at Secret Sales
Tesco Express
March 2020 - January 2023
As a Shift Leader, my role involved managing the day to day running of a busy neighbourhood store, while constantly looking for opportunities to improve how we work. No two days are alike, I could find myself dealing with any combination of deliveries, stock routines, team organisation, customer service, training (for myself and my team), maintenance, administration, or resolving conflicts.
The Ill Repute
July 2020 - October 2020
I was involved in opening a new bar during a global pandemic, despite it not being the wisest move! I helped prepare the venue and cellar, designed the bar and cinema logos, created the website and social media, made promotional posters, menus, etc. I also handled IT, troubleshooting EPOS systems and getting WiFi to work through ancient stone walls. Once open, I organised events and built relationships in our tight-knit community while working a busy bar/restaurant.
Moor Beer Co
June 2019 - March 2020
My time at Moor gave me opportunities to flex my jack of all trades muscles. As Assistant Retail Manager, my main responsibility was to ensure the smooth running of the Tap Room. From organising rotas, ordering stock, cashing up, recruiting staff, and the “usual” bar duties. I also got to design and order merchandise, pitch in with brewing and naming beers, plan internal and external events, host VIP’s, take guests on tours of the brewery, host guided tastings, maintain our website/online shop, and numerous other tasks, while forming and maintaining strong relationships with local (and not so local) businesses and organisations.
Brewdog
September 2018 - June 2019
Being Duty Manager at a busy city centre bar came with a variety of responsibilities, including selecting what we have on tap day to day, and booking suitable bands to entertain us (and our guests!). The training was awesome, involving a trip to the brewery up near Aberdeen, and studying the Cicerone program to learn all there is to know about beer. The resulting knowledge was constantly shared informally, as well as more formally through our regularly-run beer schools. Ensuring our guests have the best possible experience, and were left singing our praises was the number one priority.
Loungers Ltd
April 2014 - September 2018
In my role as Assistant Manager, I lead by example, whether that’s making coffee with the maximum amount of sunshine in them, organising (and training) the team to balance their strengths/customer needs, taking orders to/from the kitchen (while ensuring everything’s up to spec), or shaking up tasty cocktails. Then there’s the behind the scenes tasks like ordering stock and equipment, keeping in touch on social media and through community events, cashing up, banking our takings, stocktaking, keeping an eye on our P&L’s, managing training, and maintaining a clean and safe place to work or relax.
Banbury Academy
September 2012 - July 2013
As Teaching Assistant, it was my duty to see to it that students benefitted as much from each lesson as possible. Finding ways to make lessons interesting, applicable, and keep students on task. Mainly working with children that have special educational needs, at times the role could be challenging, but was also immensely rewarding.
Champion Employment
May 2010 - August 2010
This was a busy admin/purchase ledger role with duties including checking/inputting of invoices to Sage, taking credit card payments, dealing with customer queries, arranging BACS payments for our suppliers, chasing payments by phone, along with various other general admin tasks.
DHL Supply Chain
May 2007 – April 2010
As Accounts Clerk, I covered both purchase and sales ledger duties, including the raising of Purchase Orders, ensuring invoices were paid, raising invoices for our customers and administering the weekly payroll. There were also many reports to run and analyse. I was also a member of the Works Council, liaising between management and the workforce.
The Bierkeller
June 2005 - December 2006
My main role was as part of the crew of bar-staff, serving customers in what is often a hectic atmosphere, though I could often find myself manning the box office, collecting glasses, managing the cloakroom, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen. As Bar Supervisor, I was also responsible for ensuring everything ran smoothly, that everyone was pulling their weight, and drawing up rotas, so everyone knew what their role was. I also trained new staff and cashed up. The job also entailed my working in the office too, dealing with enquiries, taking bookings and ticket orders and dispatching tickets. I was also involved in promoting the venue.