Nicola Palmer
Egham,Surrey
Summary
Highly organised and sales motivated professional with extensive expertise in customer service, client engagement, and brand promotion. Demonstrates exceptional skills in team collaboration, product knowledge, and upselling techniques. Adept at conflict resolution, time management, and problem solving. Committed to enhancing customer relations through active listening and responsive communication. Career goal includes leveraging strong customer service background to drive sales growth and foster long-term client relationships.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Holiday Sales Advisor
Runnymede-on-Thames Warner Hotels
Egham, Surrey
10.2024 - Current
- Identified customer needs through effective questioning and recommended appropriate products.
- Listened intently to customers to identify upselling opportunities.
- Resolved customer issues and complaints with quick-thinking problem-solving.
- Achieved company targets by implementing successful sales strategies.
- Collaborated with team members to share best practices and improve overall sales performance.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients to foster repeat business and referrals.
- Built exceptional customer satisfaction by delivering friendly service.
Recruitment Advisor
Runnymede-on-Thames Warner Hotels
Egham, Surrey
05.2024 - 11.2024
- Reviewed CVs and application forms with critical attention to detail, shortlisting candidates who meet essential criteria.
- Conducted pre-screening checks and interviews with applicants.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with hiring managers to understand specific recruitment needs and preferences.
- Coordinated with HR teams to streamline recruitment processes, improving efficiency and candidate experience.
- Handled sensitive information with discretion, building trust with clients and candidates alike.
- Fostered a positive candidate experience throughout the recruitment process, maintaining timely and transparent communication.
- Organised and participated in job fairs and networking events to promote brand awareness and attract potential candidates.
- Handled human resources matters with discretion and immediately escalated high level issues to upper management for remediation.
Senior Chef de Partie with Health/Safety Portfilo
Runnymede-on-Thames Ralph Levy Trustees
Egham, Surrey
09.2010 - 06.2024
- Offered right training and optimum guidance to junior chefs and trainees.
- Followed strict health and safety guidelines in kitchen.
- Conducted regular performance reviews for kitchen staff, setting objectives and offering constructive feedback to foster professional growth.
- Prepared and cooked high quality food following recipes and menu guidelines.
- Coordinated kitchen operations during service, effectively managing the flow of dishes to meet rigorous service timelines.
- Conducted regular stock counts of ingredients and kitchen supplies, ordering low stocks when needed.
- Assisted in stocktaking, ordering supplies for planned events and service.
- Ensured teams followed health and safety guidelines by closely monitoring prep, food handling and other kitchen operations.
- Developed and maintained a clean, organised kitchen environment, optimising space and workflow for peak efficiency.
- Supervised the preparation and presentation of dishes, maintaining high standards of quality and consistency in a fast-paced environment.
- Safely operated kitchen equipment, including industrial size mixers.
- Developed high-quality dishes for guests, including starters, mains and desserts.
- Planned menus for daily use, special events and seasonal promotions.
- Participated in weekly kitchen meetings to discuss menu planning, staff scheduling, and operational improvements, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Supervised work of cooks and kitchen helpers helping to keep kitchen running smoothly.
- Assisted chefs in preparing extravagant dishes for breakfast, lunchtime and dinner sittings.
- Monitored food temperatures during storage and cooking to comply with health and safety regulations, reducing risk of foodborne illnesses.
- Conducted daily inspections of kitchen equipment, arranged for repairs and maintenance as needed, ensuring operational efficiency.
- Enforced health and safety standards for food storage, preparation and handling.
- Talked to customers about dietary issues and food allergies to prepare meals to individual needs.
Education
O Level - School
Brigidine Convent School
Windsor , Berkshire 09.1976 - 06.1985
City & Guilds level 2 & 3 - Catering
Slough College of Higher Education
Slough, Berkshire 09.1985 - 07.1987
Skills
- Team collaboration
- Product knowledge
- Upselling techniques
- Conflict resolution
- Time management
- Problem solving
- Active listening
- Brand promotion
- Client engagement
- Communication
- Customer Service
- Sales motivated
- Customer relations
- Responsive listening
- Highly organised
Timeline
Holiday Sales Advisor
Runnymede-on-Thames Warner Hotels
10.2024 - Current
Recruitment Advisor
Runnymede-on-Thames Warner Hotels
05.2024 - 11.2024
Senior Chef de Partie with Health/Safety Portfilo
Runnymede-on-Thames Ralph Levy Trustees
09.2010 - 06.2024
City & Guilds level 2 & 3 - Catering
Slough College of Higher Education
09.1985 - 07.1987
O Level - School
Brigidine Convent School
09.1976 - 06.1985