Rachel Smith
70 Woodrows, Telford,Shropshire
Summary
After 11 years in retail customer service, in 2021 my priorities shifted from working at Halfords to being my disabled sons full time carer. During this tenuous time I had to navigate this and home-schooling due to there being no special capacity to have my son. Fortunately, he has since settled into a new school in 2026. This has encouraged me to seek employment and to bring back that sense of work ethics I’ve missed for these past years.
Working hard and contributing towards my family gives me a sense of fulfilment.
Customer-focused professional with strong skills in communication and teamwork. Coordinates transactions and stock replenishment accurately, ensuring smooth operations. Handles cash, refunds, and customer enquiries while supporting promotions. Enhances customer experiences through clear communication and effective problem-solving.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Sales Assistant
Halfords
Telford, Shropshire
04.2011 - 05.2021
- Processed sales transactions, ensuring accurate handling of cash, credit, debit, and gift card payments.
- Processed refunds and exchanges, adhering to store policies and customer preferences.
- Assisted customers in selecting products, offering detailed advice to meet their needs.
- Supported execution of in-store promotions, contributing to increased customer engagement.
- Received and booked customer orders and contacted customers as needed.
- Proactively located merchandise for customers by researching and coordinating with associated retail branches.
- Referenced weekly sales ad and promotional signage to verify and enforce correct pricing.
- Stock replenishing/facing up.
- Processed and loaded deliveries and backstock onto store shelves.
- Fitted child seats and wiper blades for customers, ensuring safety and functionality.
- Assisted in annual stocktaking.
- Answering phones from customers, other local stores and third-party retailers.
Front of House Assistant
Severn Gorge Carvery Pub
Telford, Shropshire
02.2010 - 03.2011
- Greeted guests upon arrival, offering immediate assistance and providing a warm welcome.
- Delivered friendly and fast service to process high-volume food and drink orders at peak times.
- Delivered meals and beverages promptly, ensuring orders were correct and met customer satisfaction.
- Coordinated with kitchen and bar staff to ensure timely delivery of food and beverages.
- Kept dining area tidy, clearing tables and resetting them for new guests in a timely manner.
- Took customer orders and prepared drinks following best practices for each type.
- Kept bar stocked and organised for easy access and quick service to customers.
- Cleaned bar of discarded items and wiped up spills without delay to maintain a professional appearance.
- Maintained safe hygiene and food handling standards for full compliance.
Business Administration
Natwest And Royal Bank of Scotland
Telford, Shropshire
09.2008 - 01.2010
- Liaised with solicitors, mortgage centres, and cross-functional teams to provide, collate, and investigate account information.
- The role involved building and sending mortgage arrears statements to customers of the bank, instructing 3rd parties such as solicitors to carry out legal proceedings against customers who have not paid their mortgage, business and unsecured accounts.
- Utilised spreadsheets, letters, and reports to streamline team workflow and improve communication. Proficient in Excel, word processing, and PowerPoint.
- Cascaded information through team huddles on section and centre updates, earning the team "thanks to you" award in June 2009 for exceptional performance.
Education
NVQ Level 1 - Business Administration
Telford College of Arts and Technology
Telford01-2008
Skills
- Cash handling
- Point of sale
- Order processing
- Refund processing
- Stock control
- Sales support
- Customer service
- Customer liaison
- Team coordination
- Business administration
- Professional presentation
Hobbies and interests
- Reading & Lifelong Learning: Enjoy exploring diverse genres, particularly Sci-Fi and Fantasy, which helps sharpen analytical thinking and attention to detail.
- Creative Arts & Focus: Engage in detailed art and colouring projects to foster creativity, mindfulness and sustained attention to complex tasks.
- Outdoor Activities & Well-being: Regularly spend time outdoors walking and exploring local nature parks to maintain physical well-being and active engagement with the community.
- Special Educational Needs (SEN) Advocacy & Coordination: Dedicate time to managing and coordinating care for my son's special needs. This involves liaising directly with support pods, multi-disciplinary specialists, and educational professionals to plan, risk-assess, and execute structured, inclusive family outings.
Timeline
Sales Assistant
Halfords
04.2011 - 05.2021
Front of House Assistant
Severn Gorge Carvery Pub
02.2010 - 03.2011
Business Administration
Natwest And Royal Bank of Scotland
09.2008 - 01.2010
NVQ Level 1 - Business Administration
Telford College of Arts and Technology