Claire Williams
Cardiff
Summary
A professional and versatile individual with a strong track record of success within a retail environment gained through extensive experience as a Dispensing Optician and Practice Manager. Skilled in all aspects of retail including customer service, sales, stock and team management; also competent in all aspects of business administration and financial management. Other particular expertise gained includes training, coaching and developing sales and customer service staff. Now seeking an opportunity to utilise existing skills and experience within a new and challenging retail role.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Dispensing Optician (Locum)
Specsavers
01.2003 - Current
- Initially contracted to the Barry branch for 12 months; currently undertaking the role of Locum Dispensing Optician within Specsavers’ Pontypridd branch on a self employed basis
- Responsible for overseeing optician services within the branch as well as dispensing optical prescriptions and consulting with patients
- Additionally provide expert guidance for other team members on a wide range of optical health issues
- Involves responsibility for leading professional training for a team of 10 Optical Assistants within the branch, including assessing training needs and designing training to meet requirements
- Role undertaken on a part time basis, working 3.5 days per week on average
- I was empoyed by Specsavers 2003 and worked until 2016 in Pontypridd.
- In 2016 I opened Treorchy branch and stayed until January2025.
Management Assistant
Family Estate Agency Business
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Assisted in all aspects of the management of a family estate agency business following father’s death
- This included ensuring that existing contracts were fulfilled before winding down the business
- Gained extensive experience in many aspects of financial management and business administration functions as well as developing sales and interpersonal skills through working directly with clients
Dispensing Optician
Boots Opticians
01.1990 - 01.2003
- Initially employed within Boots Opticians in Exeter as a Pre-Registration Optician
- Promoted to Boots Optician in 1991 and transferred to the Bracknell branch as Practice Manager; this involved responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the operational management of a Boots Optician practice
- Key functions included leading and managing a team of 4 staff and overseeing purchasing, stock control and business management
- Promoted to larger Boots “D 90” store as Practice Manager of the Newbury branch in 1994
- This included supervising, managing and developing a team of 10 staff, including leading staff training; also undertook a Practice Managers Development Programme alongside this role
- Transferred to the Cardiff branch in 1998 to work part-time alongside studying for an Optometry Degree and other commitments
- Key achievements included winning “Practice of the Year” Award in 1994 for exceptional management performance
- I wa employed by Specsavers in 2004 and continued to work as a DO in Pontypridd.
- I then opened Treorchy branch 2016 until January 2025.
- During this time I took it upon myself to learn and understand overlay assessments and had aclinic for children once a month.
Education
BSc Optometry -
Cardiff University
01.2000
Qualifications as a Dispensing Optician - Applied Optics
City & East College
London01.1989
‘A’ Level -
Brynteg Comprehensive School
Bridgend01.1985
‘O’ Level - Mathematics, English Language, French, Religion, English Literature, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
St Clare’s Covent
Porthcawl01.1984
Skills
- Retail
- Training & Development
- Customer Service
- Team Working
- Time Management
- Administration
Accomplishments
- Handled all staff training for the Pontypridd branch of Specsavers for an 8 year period, including identifying training needs of individual team members; this contributed significantly to branch efficiency and profitability
Custom Section
- French Language and Culture
- Horse Riding
- Music
- Cookery
References
Available on request
Timeline
Dispensing Optician (Locum)
Specsavers
01.2003 - Current
Management Assistant
Family Estate Agency Business
01.2000 - 01.2003
Dispensing Optician
Boots Opticians
01.1990 - 01.2003
BSc Optometry -
Cardiff University
Qualifications as a Dispensing Optician - Applied Optics
City & East College
‘A’ Level -
Brynteg Comprehensive School
‘O’ Level - Mathematics, English Language, French, Religion, English Literature, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
St Clare’s Covent