CARA STEELE
Summary
Dynamic and dependable professional with a proven track record in effective leadership . Highly adaptable and organised multi-tasker, a quick learner with a friendly demeanour, committed to fostering a collaborative work environment.
Resourceful professional with motivational approach, eager to transition into managerial role. Demonstrates strong leadership and problem-solving skills, coupled with keen ability to drive team performance and foster collaboration. Poised to deliver impactful results, enhancing operational efficiency and team productivity.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
2023
2023
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Field Installations Manager
Wickes
, Midlands
2022.05 - Current
- Monitored and communicated individual performance objectives and service standards.
- Supported crisis management communications through digital media messages.
- Ensured execution of field service level agreements with legal compliance.
- Recruited and retained a network of installation businesses in designated areas.
- Managed installation standards through monitoring and risk management methodologies.
- Ensured compliance of installation businesses with Health and Safety regulations.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement within Installation Service levels.
- Enhanced installation performance by collaborating with Store Management and Design Consultants.
Showroom Manager
Wickes
, midlands
2021.12 - 2022.05
- Transitioned to Chesterfield store as Operations Showroom Manager during Pandemic, overseeing kitchen and bathroom business.
- Facilitated refurbishment of store, achieving recognition as largest in Region.
- Drove showroom sales performance, consistently meeting monthly, quarterly, and yearly targets.
- Maximised profits by coaching sales team in advanced relationship selling techniques.
- Optimised showroom operations for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
- Enhanced sales and profitability through proactive lead follow-up initiatives.
- Established partnerships with local communities and corporate entities to boost foot traffic.
- Educated customers on product quality and value, enhancing informed purchasing decisions.
Operations Manager
Wickes - CHESTERFIELD
2020.01 - 2021.11
- Aided senior leadership by recommending corrective actions and improvements to company operations.
- Analysed financial data to track and achieve budget targets.
- Strategically scheduled and managed [Number]+ staff members, maintaining high-performing business operations.
- Developed, recommended and implemented strategies to improve employee work quality and speed.
- Reduced costs and improved operations by analysing processes and customer feedback.
- Served as key corporate representative, liaising with various stakeholders in support of operational excellence.
- Adhered to employee relations processes while recruiting, retaining and developing staff.
- Managed and motivated high-performing teams for successful KPI attainment.
- Drove performance while managing and maintaining customer expectations, quality standards and SLAs.
- Noted employee absences and grievances, and improved team development and performance with right training.
- Monitored and reviewed operational performance, aiding improved business strategy to maximise productivity.
Operations Manager
Wickes Sheffield
2019.01 - 2020.01
- Selected for Store of the Future project to develop innovative service platform.
- Overhauled working methods, contributing to Wickes' wider rollout across the business.
- Collaborated with exclusive team to trial and provide feedback on project outcomes.
- Identified necessary equipment and presented recommendations to Board of Directors for approval.
- Executed tasks during extensive store refit, achieving 98% renovation completion.
- Implemented new training programme for colleagues to uphold Store of Excellence standards.
- Served as Acting Store Manager for 12 weeks before transitioning to Store of the Future Project.
Operations Manager
Wickes
, Midlands
2017.01 - 2019.01
- I started my Wickes Journey at Chesterfield Store
- My roles and responsibilities outlines below
- Streamlined operational efficiencies by establishing and implementing effective programmes
- Hired, trained and supervised team of up to 30 associates by helping them to meet daily and weekly sales goals through training and mentoring
- Managed staff scheduling and payroll to optimise performance
- Built loyal customer base by delivering excellent service and making in-demand products available
- Addressed and corrected sales staff communication issues in tactful and effective manner
- Led and motivated sales team to meet and exceed sales goals
- Oversaw inventory tracking, management and physical inventory counts
- Proactively identified and solved complex problems that impacted operations management and business direction
- Verify compliance with all Wickes' policies and employment laws
- Use initiative and confidence when interacting with colleagues and customers
- Take responsibility for own IDP goals and complete agreed training and development
- Other achievements since throughout Wickes
- Helped to shape the North Division's Women in Leadership program-this has now merged to a Balance for Better program
- Completed LEAD program and project work
- Helped Chesterfield to achieve a 98% score on Great Place To Work Survey
- Helped to create a diverse working culture in which all members can thrive in
- Taken part in an Apprenticeship recruitment drive
- Currently completing a Level 5 higher Diploma in Business Management.
Store Manager
McDonald's
Mansfield
2015.07 - 2016.12
- Create and build a restaurant business plan to capture customer demand and grow sales and guest counts by increasing frequency of visits and adding new customers
- Plan and project monthly P&L, analyse, present and recap results
- Utilise a diagnostic and coaching mindset when monitoring progress on targets and management goals
- Verify accuracy of weekly and monthly food inventory and order accuracy to ensure stock availability and food cost controls
- Oversee the scheduling of all crew and Managers; ensure good scheduling practices and principles are followed
- Manage succession; plan continual development and selection of Crew Trainers and Managers
- Drive employee engagement; coordinate survey, develop and implement action plans
- Recognize and reward the right behaviours and restaurant goals and accomplishments.
- Set SMART goals for store team, developing staff abilities and increasing sales performance.
- Strategically scheduled and managed 100+ staff members, maintaining high-performing business operations.
- Developed, recommended and implemented strategies to improve employee work quality and speed.
- Adhered to employee relations processes while recruiting, retaining and developing staff.
- Analysed financial data to track and achieve bud
- Managed performance appraisal systems and policies.
- Planned, organised and managed recruitment and selection processes, consistently meeting budget targets and recruitment goals.
- Oversaw exit interviews and off-boarding process for resigned and terminated employees.
- Created succession plans and promotion paths for staff.
Assistant Business Manager
McDonald's
2013.04 - 2015.06
- Jointly accountable for execution of restaurant business plan to grow sales and guest counts by increasing frequency of visits and adding new customers Support Business Manager with establishing community relations
- Act promptly and fairly on all employee disciplinary/performance concerns Complete PRs and training assessments and plans for 115 crew/crew trainers and shift manager
- Create and post crew schedule that is focused on growing guest counts, capturing customer demand and that ensures crew development and secondary responsibilities
- Take responsibility for own IDP goals and complete agreed training and development
- Verify compliance with all McDonald's policies and employment laws
- Use initiative and confidence when interacting with colleagues and customers
- Complete accurate accounting of stock checks and ordering proposals.
Shift
McDonald's
2010.05 - 2013.04
- Prepared quality products while maintaining proper food safety practices, portion control and presentation within service goal times
- Strictly followed all cash, security, inventory and employment policies and procedures
- Promptly and empathetically handled guest concerns and complaints
- Ensure well run shifts,troubleshooting and problem solving to produce excellent customer service and satisfaction
- Trained and mentored new employees to maximise team performance.
Crew Member
McDonald's
2008.07 - 2010.05
- Promptly and empathetically handled guest concerns and complaints
- Consistently provided friendly guest service and heartfelt hospitality
- Operated the drive-thru window and sales register quickly and efficiently
- Demonstrated integrity and honesty whilst interacting with guests, team members and managers
- Greeted customers and provided excellent customer service
- Built loyal clientele through friendly interactions and consistent appreciation.
Education
GCSEs -
AQA
NVQ Level 2 - Clait
OCR
A-Levels -
AQA
Level 5 - Operational/Department Management
Chartered Management Institute
Diploma of Higher Education -
CIPD L5 Associate Diploma in People Manager
Skills
- Adaptable
- Strives to achieve
- Quick learner
- Organised multi-tasker
- Effective leader
- Hiring and training
- Dependable
- Friendly
- Team orientated
- Succession planning
- Sickness absence management
Timeline
Field Installations Manager
Wickes
2022.05 - Current
Showroom Manager
Wickes
2021.12 - 2022.05
Operations Manager
Wickes - CHESTERFIELD
2020.01 - 2021.11
Operations Manager
Wickes Sheffield
2019.01 - 2020.01
Operations Manager
Wickes
2017.01 - 2019.01
Store Manager
McDonald's
2015.07 - 2016.12
Assistant Business Manager
McDonald's
2013.04 - 2015.06
Shift
McDonald's
2010.05 - 2013.04
Crew Member
McDonald's
2008.07 - 2010.05
GCSEs -
AQA
NVQ Level 2 - Clait
OCR
A-Levels -
AQA
Level 5 - Operational/Department Management
Chartered Management Institute
Diploma of Higher Education -
CIPD L5 Associate Diploma in People Manager