Philip Simon (Phil) Merry

Established hardware and key cutting business from ground up.

• Managed inventory to ensure optimal stock levels at all times.
• Fostered a positive shopping environment with attention to detail and cleanliness.
• Streamlined shop operations for increased efficiency and profitability.
• Resolved customer complaints promptly, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Conducted routine maintenance checks on equipment, preventing any technical malfunctions interrupting service provision.
• Organised seasonal promotions resulting in higher turnover during peak retail periods.
• Handled daily administrative tasks including bookkeeping and reporting, keeping accurate records of business performance.
• Negotiated pricing deals with suppliers, improving profit margins.
• Implemented effective marketing strategies, attracting more customers into the shop.
• Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations to maintain safe shopping conditions.
• Optimised window displays to entice potential customers in-store.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing personalised service to regular patrons.
• Introduced new product ranges based on customer preferences, increasing sales revenue.
• Managed cash handling procedures for secure financial transactions within the shop.
• Optimised daily operations to achieve maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Swiftly resolved complex customer complaints to guarantee absolute customer satisfaction and generate repeat business.
• Forecasted stock needs to reduce excess spending while maintaining an effective product mix to meet customer demand.
• Forecasted stock needs to reduce excess spending while maintaining effective product mix to meet customer demand.
• Liaised with vendors to achieve favourable product pricing and timely stock replenishment.
• Promoted company products and services on social media to increase brand awareness.
• Attended networking events, establishing solid relationships with other business professionals.
• Managed stock within set minimum and maximum levels to serve customers without over-extending finances.
• Maintained detailed and current records of inventory and business finances.

From a very young age I help my farther in one of the community centres with in his part time role as a community development worker, as soon as I turned 16 I was asked by the committee to take a voluntary role as Manager as the centre was at the time run in a very old fashioned manner with a aging committee and was not to the standards expected of the local authority. I took on this in my spare time, holidays and between my main work split shift patten. I met my wife at the age of 19 and from pretty much straight away she got involved and we ran the centre together until the building was taken from the committee after 70 years of occupation by the owners Nottingham City Council to sell the land as they did with many of the cities community centres.

• Conducted regular safety checks, enhanced overall security at the community centre.
• Developed policies for better governance of the facility's operations.
• Oversaw hiring process ensuring a wide ranging program for a very diverse user group.
• Increased centre accessibility with improved facilities for disabled individuals.
• Fostered a positive environment for users through effective management.
• Enhanced community engagement by organising regular public events.
• Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations protecting staff, volunteers, and visitors alike.
• Devised strategies for fund-raising activities generating additional resources for centre development.
• Collaborated with local authorities on various projects, boosting the reputation of the centre.
• Adapted quickly to changes in regulations or guidelines affecting operation of community centres.
• Handled complaints professionally, resolved issues promptly maintaining customer satisfaction.
• Trained volunteers efficiently, increased capacity to handle larger events and programmes.
• Maintained clean premises, developed a more inviting atmosphere for visitors.
• Managed budgets effectively, ensuring financial stability of the centre.
• Promoted cultural diversity by hosting multi-cultural events and workshops.
• Attended management meetings to develop new initiatives for the centre and to keep the committee updated etc.
• Responded to emergency situations to support safety measures.
• Monitored expenditures to manage allocated budget.
• Booked rooms and equipment to hold centre events.
• Supervised daily activities and performance of up to 20 regular weekly user groups.
• Liaised with external relations to coordinate fundraising activities.
• Drafted proposals to request for funding of new projects.
• Optimised daily operations, making amendments to keep up with changing priorities.
• Oversaw efficient use of resources through strategic planning to help reduce costs.
• Maintained expenditure reports detailing breakdown of costs spent on supplies, equipment and services.
• Fought for organisational interests in high-level negotiations with external bodies and the council.
• Controlled expenditure to cut costs and achieve financial targets.

From leaving collage I went to work in a centre for adults with learning, physical and mental difficulties this site was a large 6acer site with the Main Centre, gardening unit/Large growing plots with greenhouses and poly tunnel, Meals on wheels Distribution Centre and a Factory making school furnishing with a 60% able and 40% disabled person work team. This was only to be temporary as I had studied to work in a country park or leisure industry environment but I enjoyed the work and later on in my career I also looked after three off site buildings within the service.

• Performed gardening duties, enhancing the aesthetics of outdoor spaces.
• Maintained records of all security/safety systems on the property to facilitate easy reference and maintain legal records
• Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations by implementing strict guidelines and checks.
• Coordinated with various contractors for timely completion of major repair works.
• Handled staff/visitor complaints, resulting in improved relationships.
• Handled out-of-hours emergencies i.e. Alarm call outs, I also had to deal with fire, floods, intrusions and vandalism during these call outs having to make quick assessments on the spot.
• Executed general maintenance tasks including painting, carpentry, portable appliance testing, electrical and plumbing.
• Managed waste disposal effectively reducing environmental impact.
• Conducted fire drills routinely, ensuring preparedness during emergencies.
• Ensured property security by conducting regular inspections and monitoring CCTV systems.
• Coordinated with the move-in process when the centre was refurnished to temporary premises and on the return.
• Reported any maintenance issues to the Property Services Unit thus preventing further damage.
• Managed all site repairs.
• Maintained cleanliness of communal areas to create a welcoming environment.
• Wrote all policies and procedures for caretaking and cleaning staff operations.
• Kept toilets and wash areas clean and tidy.
• Maintained safe environment for everyone by adhering to company safety policies.
• Accepted deliveries of goods and conveyed to appropriate storage areas.
• Inspected cleaning and caretaking equipment, made minor repairs and reported defects.
• Performed daily opening and closing duties, paying close attention to site security at all times.
• Undertook decoration and improvement works to guarantee impeccable presentation of premises.
• Removed trash collected from within buildings and transported to nominated point for collection by refuse contractors.
• Conducted weekly fire alarm tests in assigned buildings.
• Sustained building functionality by conducting plumbing, unblocking drains and other minor repairs.
• Improved grounds appearance through regular grass cutting, weed killing and seasonal pruning.
• Contacted appropriate services in event of fire, break-ins and other emergencies.
• Directed contractors for site repairs and recorded work performance after completion.
• Verified fire signage and equipment to be legally compliant.
• Enabled efficient site operations by correctly maintaining and ordering cleaning supplies and equipment.
• Facilitated smooth on-site operations by providing emergency and absence cover.
• Managed bookings for any buildings or rooms available for hire.
• Operated heating and hot water supply plant in line with instructions and carried out frost precaution procedures.
• Undertook application of polishes and seals, carpet shampooing and other floor treatment work.
• Supervised and coached contractors to constantly meet and exceed specified performance standards.
• Reviewed CCTV recordings to support investigations of site security incidents.
• Managed building grounds through regular gardening and litter picking.
• Swept and mopped hard floors and vacuumed carpeted areas.
• Maintained and repaired building fixtures and fittings.
• Kept detailed reports of completed maintenance and servicing work.
• Checked lighting function and replaced faulty bulbs in public areas.
• Coordinated cleaning staff to maintain good building hygiene standards.
• Patrolled internal and external areas to maintain building security.
• Remained primary contact in all cases of emergencies.
• Serviced boilers regularly to maintain ample hot water and heat.

I did a weeks work experience from school at the age of 15 at Rufford Country Park with the Ranger Service and I was hocked on the work this is defiantly what pushed me to go to agricultural college. You where not technically allowed to be a volunteer Ranger until the age of 17 however one of the park rangers (he was also the events coordinator) during my work experience we became good pals work colleagues if you like and with the agreement of my parents he would take responsibility for me until I was 17. This gentleman is now in his late 70s even though we are both long since left the park we are great friends as are both our families.

during my time to the park -

• Assisted in woodland management for improved fauna habitats.
• Monitored and recorded wildlife activity for research purposes.
• Responded to emergency situations to ensure public safety.
• Enhanced visitor satisfaction by addressing queries promptly.
• Promoted conservation with organised educational talks and workshops.
• Improved access routes by maintaining paths and trails.
• Demonstrated practical countryside skills, facilitated visitor understanding of the natural environment.
• Maintained cleanliness for enhanced visitor experience.
• Ensured safety by conducting regular patrols of park areas.
• Provided first aid assistance when required, ensured visitor well-being.
• Conducted guided walks, increased public engagement.
• Prepared summaries and charts by testing and gathering samples and summarising findings.
• Maintained data collection instrumentation, for water/lake levels, visitor and carpark counting systems.
• Coordinated, acted and helped run shows, events and seasonal walks.
• Worked on recording information, maintained listed on site buildings the Abbey, Orangery, Formal Gardens, SSSI area, Watermill, Ice Houses Coach houses and stables (now used as restaurants and shops).

During my Time at collage this was my paid weekend and holiday work.

• Handled cash transactions with customers for efficient payment processing.
• Managed ticketing system to ensure smooth operations.
• Facilitated customer queries for improved service satisfaction.
• Reported incidences or suspicious activities to management promptly, ensuring quick resolution.
• Conducted regular patrols of the facility, ensuring security measures were upheld.
• Managed disputes over parking spaces effectively; maintained harmony amongst users.
• Helped in evacuation during emergencies, prioritising patron safety above all else.
• Performed administrative tasks as required; increased efficiency in daily operations.
• Provided information to patrons, enhancing their experience.
• Maintained cleanliness of car park, promoting a positive image.
• Ensured safe vehicle manoeuvring by directing traffic in car park.
• Assisted customers with parking issues, ensuring their comfort and safety.
• Assisted disabled patrons with accessibility needs, creating an inclusive environment.
• Handled lost property cases tactfully; returned items to rightful owners where possible.
• Adhered strictly to health and safety guidelines whilst conducting duties; ensured personal and public safety at all times.
• Operated barrier controls for secure entry and exit of vehicles.
• Facilitated vehicle flow by managing traffic control and parking in assigned area.
• Ensured accurate money handling by performing tasks such as ensuring tickets were handed out correctly
• Coordinated parking flow to maximise space use, ticket sales and drive safety.
• Patrolled car park to monitor vehicles, identify problem behaviour and prevent damage or theft.
• Processed admission payments and issued tickets to guests.
• Monitored crowd to proactively identify problems and keep groups under control.