Rachael Parkins
Stogumber
Summary
Dynamic sales professional with extensive experience in persuasion techniques and upselling strategies. Proven ability to build rapport and enhance customer service, leading to increased sales and customer satisfaction. Adept at leveraging sales experience to drive revenue growth through effective upselling of products. Committed to advancing career in sales by continuously refining skills and achieving exceptional results.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Graphic designer
Workwear Online
Wellington
09.2025 - 12.2025
- Designed visually appealing graphics for various marketing campaigns to enhance brand identity.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop cohesive visual strategies for product launches.
- Utilised Adobe Creative Suite to create high-quality designs for both digital and print media.
- Developed and maintained design templates to ensure consistency across all company materials.
- Used visual concepts to illustrate brand values and client visions.
- Edited digital images to improve the overall look of a project.
- Created designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
- Discussed and determined layout design.
- Designed and printed DTF prints and produced garments using a heat press.
- Used photoshop and illustrator to achive clients finished product.
- Used company systems to produce quotes, orders and dispatch products.
- Completed creative deliverables within established deadline.
- Reviewed final layouts to suggest needed improvements.
Sales Associate
Somerset Farmhouse
Willton
01.2023 - 09.2025
- Met merchandising standards by keeping store stocked and products faced.
- Operated cash register and POS to handle purchases, refunds, and exchanges for customers.
- Encouraged customers to make additional purchases and suggested relevant items.
- Generated sales reports and tracked customer data to ensure sales goals were met.
- Introduced promotions and sale opportunities, enticing customers.
- Promoted benefits of store credit cards or customer loyalty programs to encourage repeat business.
- Used product knowledge for handling objections.
- Greeted customers warmly and offered assistance.
- Engaged with guests to understand and anticipate customer service needs.
- Tracked customer data and created sales reports, using data to identify opportunities and improve sales.
- Handled customer complaints and inquiries in a courteous and efficient manner.
- Drove sales through customer relationship building and suggestive selling techniques.
- Supported loss prevention by helping identify theft.
Assistant Manager
The Butchers Arms
05.2022 - 01.2023
- Customer service skills
- Excellent verbal communication skills
- Active listening skills
- The ability to sell products and services
- To be thorough and pay attention to detail
- To enjoy working with other people
- A good memory
- The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- Helped oversee the daily operations of the store, managing staff and inventory.
- Maintained hands-on knowledge of job roles and regularly stepped in to perform business duties.
- Coached and mentored new employees on company policies and procedures.
- Utilized knowledge of company products and services to make recommendations and up-sell items according to customer needs.
- Liaised between managers and employees, communicating concerns and expectations to appropriate parties.
- Created weekly schedules based on predicted staffing needs, budgets and employee requests.
- Identified operational process inefficiencies to recommend necessary improvements.
- Executed productivity benchmarks across departments to maximize company revenue.
Welcome Team Member
Butlins
05.2022 - 01.2023
- Welcome guests as they arrive on site
- Use different computer systems to log complaints and offer solutions to guests
- Clearly communicate directions to guests
- Implement GDPR procedures, health and safety protocols
- Being organised to manage time effectiveness while ensuring guests feel welcome
- Acted as brand ambassador by promoting the organization's values and services to guests.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure seamless operations and positive guest experience.
- Adapted quickly to changing situations and remained calm under pressure to resolve any guest concerns or issues.
- Greeted customers with a friendly and professional demeanor.
- Assisted guests with special needs or requests, demonstrating empathy and understanding.
Restaurant Manager
Ziangs Restaurant
05.2021 - 05.2022
- Streamlining operations
- Handling team conflicts
- Effectively communicate the aims of the business to team members
- Hiring and onboarding team members
- Ensuring and measuring guest satisfaction
- Greeted guests at tables and attended to guest needs to promote customer service and satisfaction.
- Organized and conducted pre-shift meetings to review specials, menu changes, and house counts.
- Monitored food preparation and presentation to enforce adherence to portion sizes and quality standards.
- Established and enforced nutritional standards for dining establishments, based on accepted industry standards.
- Scheduled use of facilities and catering services for events such as banquets and receptions and negotiated details of arrangements with clients.
- Analyzed sales reports and customer feedback to inform menu revisions and seasonal promotions.
- Assessed staffing needs and recruited staff, using methods such as newspaper advertisements and attendance at job fairs.
- Monitored employee and patron activities to enforce liquor regulations.
- Resolved conflicts between staff and customers in a timely manner.
Sales Associate
The Lighting Company
10.2019 - 05.2021
- Maintain a positive attitude in a fast paced
- Use several computer systems to manage stock, communicate with suppliers and buyers
- Manage financial transactions up to £20,000
- Maintain an extensive knowledge of stock, prices and sales
- Build relationships with suppliers, designers and customers
- Encouraged customers to make additional purchases and suggested relevant items.
- Generated sales reports and tracked customer data to ensure sales goals were met.
- Cultivated relationships with new and existing customers to drive sales.
- Engaged with guests to understand and anticipate customer service needs.
- Tracked customer data and created sales reports, using data to identify opportunities and improve sales.
- Enticed customers with sales and promotions to boost sales.
- Operated cash register and POS to handle purchases, refunds, and exchanges for customers.
- Tagged new merchandise for sale and updated signs.
- Followed checklist to complete retail store opening and closing activities.
- Promoted benefits of store credit cards or customer loyalty programs to encourage repeat business.
- Handled customer complaints and inquiries in a courteous and efficient manner.
- Operated cash register and POS to process sales transactions and handle payments.
Managing Director
Parkins Interiors
01.2009 - 01.2019
- Developing and implementing the company's business strategies
- Creating a company culture and monitoring its adoption
- Creating, executing and monitoring the performance of comprehensive business plans
- Establishing internal company policies, procedures and legal protocols
- Overseeing the investments, business ventures and financial stability of the company
- Overseeing employment, professional development and employee performance activities
- Establishing long-lasting relationships with shareholders, partners, local authorities and regulators
- Representing the company at public events and attending conferences
- Negotiated contracts with external parties to ensure the best terms and conditions.
- Reported to board to provide market insights and strategic advice.
- Analyzed problematic situations and occurrences to provide solutions and facilitate company growth.
- Cultivated key partnerships with vendors and suppliers to support cost-effective solutions.
- Created business development models to establish market penetration efforts and achieve growth parameters.
- Delegated responsibilities and supervised work of executives, providing guidance and motivation to drive maximum performance.
- Monitored financial performance and recommended corrective actions for improvement.
- Established and implemented departmental policies, goals, objectives and procedures in conjunction with board members, organization officials, and staff members.
- Developed and implemented effective strategies to reduce costs while maintaining quality standards.
- Utilized data analytics techniques to identify areas for improvement.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Coventry University
Coventry 09.2008 - 05.2011
A Levels - English Literature, Media, Business Studies
Solihull College and University Centre
SolihullGCSE - Maths and English Language A-C
Heart Of England School
SolihullSkills
- Persuasion techniques
- Upselling strategies
- Sales experience
- Upselling products
- Building rapport
- Customer service experience
Timeline
Graphic designer
Workwear Online
09.2025 - 12.2025
Sales Associate
Somerset Farmhouse
01.2023 - 09.2025
Assistant Manager
The Butchers Arms
05.2022 - 01.2023
Welcome Team Member
Butlins
05.2022 - 01.2023
Restaurant Manager
Ziangs Restaurant
05.2021 - 05.2022
Sales Associate
The Lighting Company
10.2019 - 05.2021
Managing Director
Parkins Interiors
01.2009 - 01.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Coventry University
09.2008 - 05.2011
A Levels - English Literature, Media, Business Studies
Solihull College and University Centre
GCSE - Maths and English Language A-C
Heart Of England School