Steve Barber
Winchester
Summary
Customer-oriented sales professional with over 20 years of experience building relationships with Guests, Clients and Colleagues.
Throughout my career from starting as a Part time member of staff, these skill sets helped to shape my future, progress and led me to retaining top accounts and growing profit channels. Self-motivated leader with expertise in introducing products and implementing pricing models and inventory controls. Effective motivator identifying customer needs to deliver solutions. Tactical team builder and strategic planner with experience in consumer-based product sales verticals.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Cluster Director of Sales Operations
Oyo Hospitality
Winchester, Hampshire
07.2025 - Current
- Coordinated with internal teams, including product development and customer service, to meet client needs effectively.
- Built new business partnerships to drive customer acquisition and generate revenue.
- Adapted sales techniques and approaches in response to market changes and competitive pressures.
- Contacted current and potential clients to promote, upsell and cross-sell products and services.
- Provided exceptional after-sales support, addressing any customer concerns and fostering loyalty.
- Maintained detailed record of sales activities and compared trends to identify underserved areas and opportunities for improvement.
- Motivated sales staff to continuously improve strategies through competitions and personalised coaching plans.
- Established and nurtured long-term relationships with key clients to secure repeat business and referrals.
- Negotiated contracts and agreements with clients, optimising terms for both parties while maximising sales profitability.
- Prepared detailed sales reports and forecasts for senior management, providing insights into sales activities and outcomes.
- Provided training and mentorship to new sales staff, sharing knowledge and best practices to enhance team performance.
- Liaised with potential customers to determine needs and provide recommendations.
- Collaborated with marketing team to develop promotional materials and campaigns that align with sales objectives.
- Utilised CRM systems to track interactions with clients, manage sales pipeline, and optimise sales processes.
- Tailored communication and sales approaches to match diverse client needs and preferences.
- Leveraged social media and digital platforms to enhance brand visibility and engage with potential clients.
- Developed and implemented sales strategies to accelerate revenue growth and expand market share.
Recruitment Consultant
BCC Limited
Southampton
04.2024 - 06.2025
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, understanding their unique requirements and providing tailored recruitment solutions.
- Handled sensitive information with discretion, building trust with clients and candidates alike.
- Facilitated negotiation processes between clients and candidates, achieving agreeable terms for both parties.
- Provided ongoing support and guidance to placed candidates, facilitating smooth transitions into new roles.
- Maintained appropriate data confidentiality relating to organisation and personnel, complying with information regulations.
- Reviewed and updated job descriptions and person specifications, ensuring clarity and appeal to target applicants.
- Conducted in-depth interviews with candidates, assessing competencies and cultural fit for specific roles and organisations.
- Displayed emotional intelligence to assess people's character.
- Scanned and filed employee contracts, documentation and other records.
- Demonstrated outstanding listening and communication skills to obtain information.
- Handled human resources matters with discretion and immediately escalated high level issues to upper management for remediation.
- Negotiated contracts with external recruitment agencies and other service providers, ensuring favourable terms.
- Monitored employee performance, delivering feedback and coaching to improve skills sets.
- Profiled people through evidence-based interview techniques and tests.
- Recommended on personnel functions affecting employee-management relations.
- Administered employee life cycle strategy, promptly completing tasks for each process.
- Conducted research to contribute to occupation classification systems.
Hospitality & Events Supervisor - Part time
Klarent / OYO
Winchester
12.2022 - 06.2025
- Led by example in accurately taking customer food and drink orders, delivering right-first-time results.
- Managed large teams of staff across various corporate events, weddings, and functions, continually delivering exceptional customer service by working closely with the F and B manager to ensure smooth running of the function.
- Monitored event proceedings to maintain high standards of guest satisfaction.
- Adapted quickly to last-minute changes, ensuring events ran smoothly despite challenges.
Assistant Manager
Goldsmiths
Basingstoke
12.2023 - 03.2024
- Facilitated communication between staff and senior management, acting as a point of contact.
- Conducted performance reviews, providing constructive feedback and setting individual goals.
- Led Daily staff meetings to discuss targets, performance improvements, and customer feedback.
- Prepared detailed reports on weekly sales, expenses, and staff productivity for management review.
- Analysed sales data to identify trends, making recommendations for inventory adjustments.
- Oversaw daily operations, including opening and closing procedures, to maintain store standards.
- Resolved escalated customer complaints by offering practical solutions and maintaining professionalism.
- Implemented promotional campaigns, ensuring staff were briefed and displays correctly arranged.
- Monitored compliance with health and safety regulations, reducing incidents in the workplace.
- Coordinated with senior management to implement strategic plans for revenue growth.
Assistant Manager
Burrells
Winchester, Hampshire
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Retained existing customers and substantially grew customer base, product line and sales volume.
- Liaised with customers to determine needs and provide recommendations.
- Educated customers on available processes and services to increase sales.
- Protected and enhanced company reputation, promoting mission and values in all professional interactions.
- Maintained positive, professional working environment to optimise staff and customer satisfaction.
- Helped senior management plan and carry out daily operations and meet key objectives.
- Supervised and delegated tasks to employees to meet key productivity targets.
Customer service and Area Sales Manager
eFlorist
Chandlers Ford , Hampshire
11.2015 - 12.2022
- Maintained positive, professional working environment to optimise staff and customer satisfaction.
- Monitored and responded to competitor activity to stay ahead of marketplace trends.
- Promoted positive customer service experience by promptly resolving conflicts.
- Used excellent problem-solving and issue-resolution strategies to rectify difficulties quickly and effectively.
- Employed outstanding communication and relationship-building abilities to lead by example in providing first-class customer care.
- Listened to team members' feedback and proactively addressed concerns.
- Supervised and mentored junior team members, providing detailed instructions and guidance to maximise team efficiency.
- Amended product listings, managing photo edits, webpages and pricing info.
- Identified and cultivated relationships with prospects to promote product lines and solutions.
- Raised customer satisfaction, helping to build loyal relationships for improved profit growth.
- Utilised CRM software to track sales performance, identifying areas for improvement and strategic opportunities.
- Collaborated with product development team to align offerings with customer demands and market opportunities.
- Organised trade shows and exhibitions, showcasing products and services to potential clients and industry professionals.
- Managed sales pipeline efficiently, ensuring consistent flow of business and meeting of sales objectives.
- Coordinated with design, project management and production teams to delivery timely support to planned campaigns.
Deputy Manager
Whitbread PLC, Mitchell and Butlers
Different Locations, UK
09.2000 - 05.2013
- Supported recruitment activities, including hiring and conducting appraisals.
- Managed front and back-of-house activity with care and diligence, improving smooth-running business operations.
- Provided dynamic leadership to large teams, effectively enhancing overall company performance against KPIs.
- Devised and implemented strategies to improve service delivery, elevating company success.
- Managed team of over 1, direct reports by offering support and constructive feedback.
- Monitored staff performance, continually seeking ways to improve team delivery for optimised financial success.
- Supervised and mentored staff in 1:1 sessions, driving attainment of individual KPIs.
- Developed long-term training strategies for new and existing employees across multiple departments.
- Maintained positive, professional working environment to optimise staff and customer satisfaction.
- Supervised and delegated tasks to employees, driving efficiency to meet key productivity targets.
- Led recruitment, hiring and onboarding activities, training new joiners in operational processes and conducting probationary performance reviews.
Bar Supervisor
Hilton Hotels
Southampton, Hampshire
09.1997 - 08.2000
- Effectively and efficiently dealt with customer complaints, providing solutions and managing resolution.
- Upheld high standard of cleanliness in all work areas to comply with health and safety regulations.
- Monitored supply levels and generated purchase orders to replenish and maintain bar inventory.
- Monitored ice machine production and filled drink ice dispensing bins to keep steady supply.
- Optimised customer experience, serving each guest with sincere, positive and enthusiastic attitude.
- Maintained facility compliance with health codes, sanitation requirements and licence regulations.
- Prepared and served coffee, espresso drinks and cocktails to provide beverage varieties and options.
- Processed cash, credit card and voucher payments to fast track process.
- Maintained brand image by keeping neat personal appearance.
- Coached bar team in comprehensive knowledge of menu, maintaining efficient and outstanding customer service.
- Maintained clean, organised bar in line with hygiene regulations.
- Demonstrated full knowledge of all menu items, contents and preparation methods to provide suggestions based on customer preference.
- Confirmed ages of customers to identify eligibility and discontinued service to intoxicated guests.
- Influenced customer decision-making by applying upselling and cross-selling techniques to augment customers orders.
- Mixed drinks and served wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages for multiple guests simultaneously.
- Made product recommendations to customers based on preferences.
- Washed and rinsed glasses, plates and utensils to maintain hygiene standards.
- Cleared tables, wiped countertops and disposed trash to maintain sanitation standards.
Education
GCSEs -
Thornden Secondary School
Chandler's Ford, HAM1996
Skills
- Effective Sales Manager
- Sales acumen
- Clientele retention
- Business development
- Sales expertise
- Exceptional communication
- Target-Driven mindset
- Client Relationship Management
- Target-Driven approach
- Patience with long processes
- Client engagement
- Proactive approach
Additional Information
- References Available on request
Timeline
Cluster Director of Sales Operations
Oyo Hospitality
07.2025 - Current
Recruitment Consultant
BCC Limited
04.2024 - 06.2025
Assistant Manager
Goldsmiths
12.2023 - 03.2024
Assistant Manager
Burrells
01.2023 - 12.2023
Hospitality & Events Supervisor - Part time
Klarent / OYO
12.2022 - 06.2025
Customer service and Area Sales Manager
eFlorist
11.2015 - 12.2022
Deputy Manager
Whitbread PLC, Mitchell and Butlers
09.2000 - 05.2013
Bar Supervisor
Hilton Hotels
09.1997 - 08.2000
GCSEs -
Thornden Secondary School