Katie Preston
Alyth,Perthshire
Summary
Experience managing others in a multi-national, FMCG business. Several years experience in international trade, including export and import processes. Competent and enthusiastic, able to work independently and as part of a team. Able to organise and prioritise, whilst maintaining a flexible approach. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, adaptable to suit the individual or situation. Punctual, reliable, and trustworthy, with a sense of self-motivation and an ability to motivate & manage others. Dedicated and conscientious, with a willingness to learn and a friendly and approachable manner.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Customs Co-ordinator
Aerospace Tooling Ltd
Dundee
04.2022 - Current
- Verified accuracy of commercial invoices and packing lists; ensured proper classification of products.
- Troubleshot any issues arising during customs procedures to ensure prompt resolution.
- Facilitated clear communication between all parties involved in import and export processes, improving efficiency.
- Assisted in audits related to imports and exports, ensuring full regulatory compliance.
- Resolved discrepancies identified in shipping documents swiftly and efficiently.
- Checked shipment paperwork thoroughly for errors or omissions before submitting for clearance.
- Maintained close working relationships with brokers and carriers, ensuring smooth handling of cargo across borders.
- Monitored changes in legislation that could impact operations; communicated updates promptly to relevant team members.
International Trade Assistant
Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce
Dundee, Dundee City
07.2019 - 04.2022
- Primary focus to deliver the Chamber’s export documentation, processing and verifying export documentation and offering advice and support to Chamber customers
- Qualified in Chamber Customs, to provide customs brokerage services to importers and exporters in the local area
- Good analytical skills and strong attention to detail are crucial, as is the ability to work under pressure and meet customer deadlines
- Excellent interpersonal skills required to communicate effectively with people at all levels of business to assist with the promotion of the Chamber’s international trade services and the wider Chamber events programme
- Assisting with social media and communications, and responsible for month-end invoicing of export charges
- British Chamber of Commerce accredited in Export Document Certification
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Offered friendly, efficient customer service and handled challenging situations with ease.
Purchasing & Shipping Administrator
GL Dameck Ltd
Blairgowrie
07.2018 - 07.2019
- Using a variety of software packages to place production and ship orders within the required time
- Communicating all relevant information to Customer Services, Brand Managers, Warehouse staff, Suppliers and Hauliers
- Excellent attention to detail required for placing accurate orders on a large scale to strict deadlines, and an ability to work in a fast-paced environment
ParkLives Park Activator
Leisure & Culture Dundee
Dundee
04.2018 - 07.2018
- As part of a dynamic Leisure and Sport Section, main duty was to promote the wide variety of free activities on offer with the ParkLives programme across Dundee
- ParkLives aims to encourage people to get outdoors and enjoy their local parks and green spaces
- Assisting in the design and delivery of the programme, and helping to plan and promote events and activities
- Working with children, families, community groups, adults and other agencies, so required to be engaging and motivating to all ages and abilities
- Monitoring and evaluating outcomes, assisting in the production of reports, and maintenance of social media pages
- Evening and weekend work included, so a flexible approach and positive attitude essential
Purchasing Assistant
Sandvik Heating Technology
Perth
02.2017 - 08.2017
- Temporary contract for 6 months
- Ensuring daily process of placing orders, order expediting and goods receipt were carried out according to procedures
- Responsible for stock management, ensuring optimum solution and stock levels based on production targets
- Negotiation with suppliers for best prices
- Proficient in IT, with daily use of MOVEX and Mainsaver systems, along with Microsoft packages
- Strong communication skills displayed through daily contact with the internal finance, packing and production departments, existing suppliers, and potential new suppliers
Procurement Administrative Supervisor
Coca-Cola Hellenic NI
11.2013 - 12.2016
- Managing Procurement Admin team for Island of Ireland for Coca-Cola Bottling site
- Project Lead for Ireland for multiple cross-border projects
- Training end users in each function across the business the correct Procurement Processes & Procedures
- Key User for Northern Ireland, identifying and supporting the implementation of system & process improvements
- Supervising a team of Admin Clerks, and ultimately responsible for managing procurement administrative duties, month end reports, invoice management, vendor satisfaction, master data, and contract management
- As a multi-national company, regularly worked with Procurement & Finance teams throughout Europe
- Daily use of SAP, Outlook, & Microsoft Office Packages
Finance Administrator
Coca-Cola Hellenic NI
09.2012 - 03.2013
- Temporary secondment to Finance department to assist transfer to new internal finance system
- Duties include: Daily Bank reconciliations for GBP, EUR & USD accounts, coding and posting various bank items, clearing & reconciliation of Cash accounts, month-end journal file SOX check, scanning and filing of back-up documents and journals, adhoc duties within Finance department as required
- Daily use of Excel
- Lotus Notes and SAP
Procurement Administrator
Coca-Cola Hellenic NI
02.2011 - 09.2012
- Procurement Administrator at Coca-Cola site in Lisburn
- Main duty to create Purchase Orders for various departments as required, and liaising closely with the accounts payable department to follow up and resolve any invoice queries
- Daily use of Excel, SAP, Daisy, and Lotus Notes
- Other duties included updating and maintaining Purchase Info Records and Procurement Alternatives to ensure all costings were accurate, and advising Finance dept of any changes
- Maintenance of Procurement databases, including contract databases, raising purchase requisitions, contracts and scheduling agreements for the Procurement department, receipting POs as required, preparing monthly forecasts and reports, and attending meetings as required
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills necessary, to liaise with various departments within Coca Cola, and also with external vendors when dealing with orders and invoice queries
Office Administrator
First Choice Recruitment
11.2010 - 01.2011
- Front-of-house receptionist, and general office administrator for First Choice Recruitment Consultancy
- Duties included ensuring workers timesheets were received into on time, sending completed hours to payroll, holiday requests, contacting local businesses to enquire if staffing needs were covered, answering all incoming calls, and updating filing system with new CV’s
- Contacting appropriate candidates with suitable vacancies
- Contacting bank of Nurses / Care Workers during office hours, and in the evenings and weekends when required
- Completed data entry tasks accurately, ensuring error-free records were maintained.
Financial Administrator
Coca-Cola Hellenic NI
05.2010 - 08.2010
- Providing administrative support for Accounts Receivable Department at Coca-Cola site in Lisburn
- Daily use of Excel and Lotus Notes
- Duties included updating financial reports daily, maintaining records, and filing
Executive Support
Serious PR
01.2009 - 04.2010
- Office administration, communication with, and hospitality for, clients
- Research and devising in-house literature
- Proof-reading and binding tender documents
- Responsible for month-end client invoicing, requiring accuracy and attention to detail
- Keeping Serious PR website up-to-date with client news and adding links for search optimisation
- Responsible for the smooth day-to-day running of the company’s Moira office and other business concerns
- Daily use of Word, Excel and Outlook
I.T. Helpdesk Advisor
Lagan Valley Hospital
09.2008 - 01.2009
- First point of contact for hospital employees in Northern Ireland experiencing I.T
- Difficulties
- Logging calls and passing them onto technicians
- Following up enquiries
- General administration duties
Trainee Sports Development Officer/Project Co-ordinator
Parity Training
03.2008 - 08.2008
- As part of a 24 week Programme with Parity Training, I worked as a Project Co-ordinator for Castlereagh Borough Council, on the ‘Assisting Women into Employment in Sport’ Project
- My role was to organise Sports Specific, and Career and Personal Development Courses for the women involved, a Presentation Ceremony for the end of the project, and to help the women find employment after the course
- I also provided support and guidance to the women
- This role demanded a great deal of organisational skills, along with excellent interpersonal skills to liaise with a wide range of people
- I also carried out all the administrative duties for this project, as well as assisting with budget reports, and had to present monthly written and oral reports at Council Meetings to update Council Members on the progress of the project
- The first 4 weeks of the training was spent at Parity headquarters, studying for an Advanced Diploma in Management and Marketing with the University of Ulster Jordanstown
Temporary Administrative Assistant
Axa Insurance
Lisburn Square, NI
01.2008 - 03.2008
- Provided administrative support for the office, carried out reception duties, managed filing systems
Lifestyle & Fitness Consultant
'Nuffield Pro-Active Health'
06.2005 - 10.2007
- Providing health screenings for new members, creating individual fitness programs specific to clients’ needs, nutritional advice, and ensuring members used equipment safely and effectively
- As the only Commercial Nuffield site in the UK, we were the only Fitness Club in Scotland that offered the unique FitLife Health Assessment, which included Cholesterol & Glucose testing, and a great deal of one-to-one customer care and attention
- I also assisted with Reception and Administration duties, including Membership Sales, completing the end of day procedures including banking, and regularly used Microsoft Word, Office and Excel
Fitness Consultant
Curves Gym
02.2005 - 06.2005
- As a Fitness Consultant at Curves Ladies Only Gym, I carried out inductions and first workouts, and helped members to set goals and motivated them to help them achieve these goals
- I also promoted the club, as it was a newly opened franchise in Edinburgh, and only the 3rd Curves in Scotland at the time
3rd Keyholder
Hawkshead Clothing
02.2004 - 07.2004
- As 3rd Keyholder I assisted sales, was responsible for shop and window layouts, end of day banking and paperwork, locking and opening the shop, and supervision of other members of staff in the absence of the Manager and Assistant Manager
Head Waitress and Barmaid
Strathmore Golf Centre
05.1997 - 02.2004
- From 1997–2002 I worked during school and University holidays at Strathmore Golf Centre welcoming members & guests, serving food & drink, assisting in the kitchen, and preparing the restaurant for group bookings and parties
- As head waitress, supervision of other team members
- From May 2003 – Feb 2004, I worked full time, which also involved helping in the Pro Shop and Starters Office, where I took bookings for our 2 golf courses and catering details
- Regularly responsible for the opening and closing procedures, including the banking, and relevant paperwork
- Created an inviting atmosphere for customers through a professional, courteous approach.
- Facilitated smooth communication between kitchen and front-of-house staff for improved service efficiency.
Education
Advanced Diploma - Management & Marketing
Parity Training/University of Ulster Jordanstown
Belfast 03.2008 - 08.2008
Diploma - Personal Training & Sports Massage Therapy
Premier International Training
08.2004 - 11.2004
BSc - PE, Sports Science & Social Science
Loughborough University
09.1999 - 07.2002
Scottish Qualifications Certificate - Geography, Physical Education, Management & Information Studies, English, French, Human Biology
Blairgowrie High School
08.1997 - 06.1999
Skills
- Customer Service
- Interpersonal communication
- Compliance understanding
- People Management
- UK customs clearance
- Export services
- Customs procedure codes
- Customs documentation
- Customs clearance
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Affiliations
- Yoga & Fitness
- Dog walks
- Music
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Customs Co-ordinator
Aerospace Tooling Ltd
04.2022 - Current
International Trade Assistant
Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce
07.2019 - 04.2022
Purchasing & Shipping Administrator
GL Dameck Ltd
07.2018 - 07.2019
ParkLives Park Activator
Leisure & Culture Dundee
04.2018 - 07.2018
Purchasing Assistant
Sandvik Heating Technology
02.2017 - 08.2017
Procurement Administrative Supervisor
Coca-Cola Hellenic NI
11.2013 - 12.2016
Finance Administrator
Coca-Cola Hellenic NI
09.2012 - 03.2013
Procurement Administrator
Coca-Cola Hellenic NI
02.2011 - 09.2012
Office Administrator
First Choice Recruitment
11.2010 - 01.2011
Financial Administrator
Coca-Cola Hellenic NI
05.2010 - 08.2010
Executive Support
Serious PR
01.2009 - 04.2010
I.T. Helpdesk Advisor
Lagan Valley Hospital
09.2008 - 01.2009
Advanced Diploma - Management & Marketing
Parity Training/University of Ulster Jordanstown
03.2008 - 08.2008
Trainee Sports Development Officer/Project Co-ordinator
Parity Training
03.2008 - 08.2008
Temporary Administrative Assistant
Axa Insurance
01.2008 - 03.2008
Lifestyle & Fitness Consultant
'Nuffield Pro-Active Health'
06.2005 - 10.2007
Fitness Consultant
Curves Gym
02.2005 - 06.2005
Diploma - Personal Training & Sports Massage Therapy
Premier International Training
08.2004 - 11.2004
3rd Keyholder
Hawkshead Clothing
02.2004 - 07.2004
BSc - PE, Sports Science & Social Science
Loughborough University
09.1999 - 07.2002
Scottish Qualifications Certificate - Geography, Physical Education, Management & Information Studies, English, French, Human Biology
Blairgowrie High School
08.1997 - 06.1999
Head Waitress and Barmaid
Strathmore Golf Centre
05.1997 - 02.2004
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