KAREN WHITAKER
Summary
A highly organised and empathetic professional with extensive experience in people and customer relationship management, gained from working for both Military and civilian organizations in the UK and abroad. Skilled in task delegation, accomplished in meeting deadlines, and able to enhance both team performance and customer satisfaction.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work history
Office manager
Neutrum Bear Ltd
Stourport on Severn
05.2022 - 04.2025
- Ensured all orders received were processed within designated timescales
- Ensured smooth day-to-day operations, overseeing all office and administration tasks, and supervised 2 members of staff
- Handled all incoming email correspondence
- Organised staff holiday schedules without disrupting workflow continuity.
- Facilitated staff training to enhance productivity and job satisfaction.
- Managed database to maintain updated order records and customer returns.
- Monitored and proactively replenished office supply inventory for seamless operations.
- Maintained high standards of accuracy and quality in data entry and recordkeeping.
- Responsible for the preparation and re-stocking of all inventory when attending Baby Shows 5-7 times per year.
- Handled customer complaints effectively, resulting in an increased customer satisfaction rate.
- Managed 3 storage facilities
- Daily correspondence with external suppliers both in the UK and abroad with regard to fulfilling and distributing orders.
Senior Team Support and Holiday Homes Manager
DEBRA Charity
05.2018 - 05.2022
- Provided support to the Director of Healthcare, Community Support, and Membership
- Developed and updated policies and procedures as required
- Implemented impact measures, collected and recorded data, generated monthly and contributed to Minute meetings & follow-up outstanding actions
- Managed 5 holiday homes located around the UK to include bookings, payments, general maintenance, equipment, budgets, cleaning contracts, etc.
- Managed expenditure for all holiday homes, Healthcare, and Support Grants raised
- Managed administrative staff and volunteers
- Maintained and audited records and provided reports on a monthly/quarterly/annual basis
- Managed all family Support Grants, including expenditure, communications, and purchasing goods
- Directorate 'link' to healthcare teams at 4 centres of excellence; arranged meetings, administration of grant applications, processed grant requests, coordinated quarterly clinical meetings, and monitored budgets and expenditure for individual Centres.
- Produced year-end reports on charitable activities
Deputy Medical Education & Centre Manager
Post Graduate Education Centre, Frimley Park Hospital
05.2015 - 05.2018
- Worked closely with Medical Education Manager and Programme Directors to ensure the training needs of Foundation Doctors were met
- Attended external meetings and conferences in London
- Deputised for Medical Education Manager
- Regularly met with Programme Directors to discuss trainees and review training logs
- Monitored trainee progress through the e-portfolio system
- Facilitated external Deanery visits
- Coordinated and minuted meetings of a confidential and sensitive nature
- Oversaw educational programmes, courses, and conferences which took place in the PGEC - daily
- Managed PGEC reception, catering, and housekeeping staff
- Managed daily operations within PGEC, ensuring service needs were met
Scheme Manager
Home-Start Herford
Herford, Germany
05.2013 - 05.2015
- Responsible for all activities and family support required for military and civillian families
- Regularly delivered presentations and carried out marketing tasks in order to raise the profile of HomeStart Herford
- Prepared and analysed monthly/yearly statistics and annual reports for the Director, HomeStart British Forces Germany
- Managed 'referrals' received from families/local professional agencies and identified the level of support required.
- Recruited and trained all Home Start volunteers - achieving a 100% success rate
- Paired trained volunteers with suitable families upon completion of the Home Start Volunteer Training Course
- Attended regular Child Protection Conferences and Child in Need meetings
- Managed, gave direction to, and supported the Home-Start Secretary
- Responsible for the coordination and running of all activities, family days out, and social events during school holidays and National Families Week
- Was responsible for and coordinated the first-ever Home-Start 5 for Fun 5K run to raise funds for Home-Start families.
Education
C.S.E. Qualifications - 8 - including Maths & English
Drayton Hall
Banbury, OxfordshireO' Level -
Food and Nutrution
Skills
- Organised
- Experienced people manager
- Knowledge of GDPR laws
- Customer relationship management
- Enquiry and complaint handling
- Task delegation
Hobbies & Interests
- Animal Welfare
- Travelling
- Socialising
Timeline
Office manager
Neutrum Bear Ltd
05.2022 - 04.2025
Senior Team Support and Holiday Homes Manager
DEBRA Charity
05.2018 - 05.2022
Deputy Medical Education & Centre Manager
Post Graduate Education Centre, Frimley Park Hospital
05.2015 - 05.2018
Scheme Manager
Home-Start Herford
05.2013 - 05.2015
C.S.E. Qualifications - 8 - including Maths & English
Drayton Hall
O' Level -
Food and Nutrution
Similar Profiles
Brenda Yocupicio-NavarroBrenda Yocupicio-Navarro
Entrepreneur at Momma Bear Learning CenterEntrepreneur at Momma Bear Learning Center
Logan RicheyLogan Richey
Grounds Maintenance Worker at Bear Creek Golf CourseGrounds Maintenance Worker at Bear Creek Golf Course
Jessica VaccaroJessica Vaccaro
Front Desk Supervisor at Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy (formerly Bear Mountain P.T)Front Desk Supervisor at Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy (formerly Bear Mountain P.T)
Lisa ComptonLisa Compton
Office Manager at Compton's Auto RepairOffice Manager at Compton's Auto Repair
Michele MorrisMichele Morris
Office Manager at Granny NANNIESOffice Manager at Granny NANNIES