Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Business Manager
Timeline
Generic

Lisa-Jayne Darkes

Polesworth,Warwickshire

Summary

Accomplished professional with a strong focus on leadership excellence and health and safety compliance. Demonstrates patience with staff, decisive decision-making, and cost control efficiency. Committed to fostering a safe and efficient work environment while driving organisational success.

Driven and resourceful professional with knack for strategic planning and team leadership. Demonstrated proficiency in project management and problem-solving, fostering smooth operational workflows. Excited to bring collaborative and result-oriented approach to the area

manager role.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Field sales representative

TNT
Birmingham

Mobile Head of Kitchen

Educaterers
Nuneaton, Warwickshire
09.2025 - Current

.

  • Streamlined work processes to improve service speed and efficiency.
  • Trained new staff members, improving overall kitchen efficiency.
  • Fostered a positive working environment.
  • Adhered to budget constraints whilst maintaining high-quality offerings.
  • Managed kitchen inventory with keen attention to detail, avoiding waste and overstocking.
  • Maintained clean workspace that adhered to health regulations, reducing risk of contamination.
  • Delegated tasks effectively for smooth kitchen operations.
  • Set kitchen standards governing cooking procedures, garnishes and food presentation.
  • Making sure children with allergies get the right menu.
  • Support my area manger where I can
  • Fill out the purple process book when we have a menu change.
  • Conduct stock takes when required
  • Make sure time books and wo1 are filled out and sent to the area manager

Mobile Catering Assistant

Educaterers
Nuneaton, Warwickshire
09.2024 - 09.2025

.

  • Implemented hygiene protocols throughout daily duties ensuring safe food handling.
  • Adhered to portion control guidelines whilst serving meals
  • Maintained cleanliness of kitchen area to ensure health and safety regulations were met.
  • Supported head of kitchen in meal preparation
  • Make sure children with allergies are given the right menu.


Business development manager

UK Mail
Birmingham
05.2010 - 05.2014
  • Implemented marketing initiatives for greater brand visibility.
  • Devised comprehensive business plans, enabling sustainable growth.
  • Secured new business opportunities by cultivating strong relationships with potential clients.
  • Delivered excellent customer service by addressing queries promptly and effectively.
  • Fostered client relationships, leading to increased brand loyalty.
  • Optimised operational procedures for improved productivity.
  • Executed successful product launches, driving market penetration.
  • Managed key accounts, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.
  • Conducted market research to identify potential business opportunities.
  • Negotiated contracts with vendors to secure best possible terms.
  • Spearheaded training programmes, enhancing team capabilities.
  • Handled crisis situations effectively, minimising impact on business operations.
  • Generated leads to bring in new client revenue and improve bottom-line profitability.
  • Predicted possible positive and negative effects of proposed business developments to guide strategy development.
  • “Get the sale” using various customer sales methods (door-to-door, cold calling etc)
  • Generate £228,000 of new business per year.

Sales Manager

Nightfreight
Cannock, Staffordshire
04.2006 - 11.2010
  • Drove revenue growth by identifying and capitalising on emerging market trends.
  • Forged strategic partnerships with stakeholders for profitable outcomes.
  • Sculpted a high-performing sales culture through regular motivation sessions and reward schemes.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with suppliers and other industry players to ensure smooth operations.
  • Achieved increased customer satisfaction by implementing innovative sales strategies.
  • Implemented training programmes, improving team performance levels.
  • Negotiated lucrative contracts to secure long-term client commitment.
  • Guided team members on best practices in upselling and cross-selling techniques, leading to enhanced customer value proposition.
  • Managed key accounts, resulting in consistent revenue generation.
  • Led high-performance sales teams, ensuring achievement of targets.

Field sales representative

TNT
Birmingham
05.2006 - 04.2010
  • Conducted regular follow-ups with existing clients, ensuring client satisfaction and repeat business.
  • Managed key accounts for maintaining long-term business relationships.
  • Successfully closed deals with high-profile clients through skilled negotiation tactics,.
  • Enhanced brand visibility by regularly attending trade shows and industry events.
  • Maximised company profit potential through targeted sales territory development.
  • Generate £10,000 per quarter
  • Built and maintained strong working relationships with colleagues, assisting each other on complex issues to
    maximise team performance.
  • Maintained good working relationships with internal teams to confirm all agreed contracts were serviced to
    required standards.

Indoor Sales Executive

TNT
Atherstone, Warwickshire
08.2004 - 05.2006
  • Fostered a positive team environment, resulting in increased morale and performance amongst staff members.
  • Maintained an extensive knowledge of all products offered, assisting in informative customer interaction.
  • Identified new business opportunities that enhanced growth potential of the company.
  • Established strong relationships with key industry players to expand business reach.
  • Converted cold leads to expand territory and negotiate profitable contracts.
  • Generate£2500 new business per quarter.
  • Make prospect and existing appointments for a field sales partner.

Customer service representative

TNT
Atherstone, Warwickshire
08.2003 - 08.2004
  • Improved customer satisfaction by effectively handling complaints and inquiries.
  • Streamlined processes through efficient record keeping.
  • Enhanced communication channels through regular updates on company policies and promotions.
  • Mitigated conflicts by providing timely and effective solutions to disputes raised by customers.
  • Developed empathetic client relationships and earned reputation for consistently exceeding sales goals.
  • Processed and issued product orders and service upgrades for customers.
  • Assisted customers with service related questions, feedback and complaints.
  • Served as point of escalation for complex customer issues, capturing timely resolution to drive client
    retention.
  • Monitored customer surveys and feedback to develop corrective actions for service-related issues.
  • Addressed customer service enquires quickly and accurately.
  • Assisted in fulfilment of customer orders placed in person, via email, online and by telephone

Education

GCSEs - English, Art, History, Geography, Religious Education, German, Maths, Science

Poleworth High School
Polesworth, Warwickshire
09.1995 - 05.1999

GNVQ - Health and Social Care

Tamworth and Lichfield College
Tamworth, Staffordshire
09.1999 - 05.2000

A-Levels - Economics and General Suddies

Polesworth Six Form
Polesworth, Warwickshire
09.2000 - 05.2003

Skills

  • Patience with staff
  • Decisive decision-making
  • Cost control efficiency
  • Leadership excellence
  • Health and Safety Compliance

Business Manager

My self and my husband also own our own cafe which is my husbands main job I help out with the budgeting and management of our staff. On top of this I am also on the community committee and help organise and run our summer carnival and are winter Dickens night and christmas market.

Timeline

Mobile Head of Kitchen

Educaterers
09.2025 - Current

Mobile Catering Assistant

Educaterers
09.2024 - 09.2025

Business development manager

UK Mail
05.2010 - 05.2014

Field sales representative

TNT
05.2006 - 04.2010

Sales Manager

Nightfreight
04.2006 - 11.2010

Indoor Sales Executive

TNT
08.2004 - 05.2006

Customer service representative

TNT
08.2003 - 08.2004

A-Levels - Economics and General Suddies

Polesworth Six Form
09.2000 - 05.2003

GNVQ - Health and Social Care

Tamworth and Lichfield College
09.1999 - 05.2000

GCSEs - English, Art, History, Geography, Religious Education, German, Maths, Science

Poleworth High School
09.1995 - 05.1999

Field sales representative

TNT
Lisa-Jayne Darkes