Catherine Copley

I have a varied employment history, successfully moving from a catering / service industry role, to court security office and ultimately through to charity stock generation and retail management. My roles have involved managing both employed and volunteer teams, as well as the supervision of offenders, ensuring that they worked together as a team. I am commercially aware and used to working to financial targets and I always strive to provide the highest standards of customer service.

I have a naturally friendly and outgoing personality which enables me to quickly build a rapport with customers and people at all levels. I also have the ability to motivate staff by projecting my own positive attitude. My recent roles have been testing and rewarding and I now look forward to a fresh challenge which will enable me to further utilise and develop the skills which I already possess while hopefully learning something new.

RETAIL RELIEF SHOP MANAGER - THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY - Regional

(2021-04)

Supporting Shop Managers across the region and as directed by the Regional Manager to prevent shop closures, covering illness or holiday where needed and to assist Shop Managers in driving sales helping them to achieve shop budget and overall net contribution. To help monitor, evaluate and prepare reports on shops performance. Assisting the Regional Manager in leading on interviews for the region, helping with selection and recruitment of new staff.

This was a temporary position created for me following the closure of the Morley shop. During my 9 months in the role, I was able to significantly increase shop revenues and also recruit a number of new and valued shop volunteers.

RETAIL SHOP MANAGER - THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY - Morley

(2009-02 - 2021-04)

Successfully managing a busy high street charity store, working to challenging financial targets and within budgetary boundaries. During my 12 years in this role, I have regularly exceeded financial targets despite the very challenging economic conditions. This has been achieved by recognising the need to adapt and change focus where necessary, and always being on the look-out for new ways to generate stock and revenue. Unfortunately, the shop lease could not be renewed sadly leading to closure.

• Maximising sales at every opportunity whilst managing controllable costs
• Source, train, develop and motivate staff and volunteers to ensure effective operation of the shop.
• Effectively manage the sourcing, pricing, merchandising and display of donated goods to ensure maximisation of revenues.
• Plan and implement internal and external stock generation and sales promotions
• Ensure the welfare of staff, volunteers, customers and visitors by implementing health and safety procedures.
• Build and maintain relationships with the shop team, colleagues and local businesses in order to promote the store and generate new business opportunities.

SHOP MANAGER / STOCK GENERATION MANAGER - THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY - Morley and Bradford

(2005-04 - 2009-02)

Dual role of Retail Manager for the Children's Society Morley and Bradford shops, together with undertaking the Stock Generation role out of the Bradford store. The shop manager role involved the recruitment and management of volunteer shop assistants to make sure that both shops were sufficiently staffed to generate excellent revenue and provide an excellent customer experience. Despite the need to split my time between the 3 parts of the job, the ever increasing weekly targets were consistently exceeded.

This was achieved through effective volunteer management, ensuring the shops were well stocked with good quality items, and a thorough understanding of the charity retail market. I have a keen eye for collectable and high value items, including designer clothing, and I maximise income from these items through various outlets including E-bay and auction houses. I also built up a very good rapport with local businesses which has led to various donations, including large donations of brand new stock.

STOCK GENERATION MANAGER - THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY - Yorkshire Region

(2002-10 - 2005-04)

Managing the area depot which was used to generate, sort and distribute within the Yorkshire Region the stock donated to the charity. Working in partnership with The West Yorkshire Probation Service the role entailed the daily management and supervision of between 8 and 10 people who were undertaking community service orders. This meant effectively managing the available labour to make sure that the stock was sorted, graded and ticketed ready for sale, as well as being responsible for monitoring behaviours and actions to ensure that the Probation Service rules were adhered to.

As part of the position I was also the line manager for one full time van driver, plus several self employed drivers, with responsibility for timely distribution of stock within the Yorkshire retail area.

COURT SECURITY OFFICER - LEEDS MAGISTRATES COURT - Leeds

(1998-03 - 2002-10)

• The provision of a high profile, uniformed presence within the court buildings in order to maintain the dignity of the court proceedings.
• The searching of all court users entering the premises.
• The arrest or ejection from the court of any persons who fail to adhere to court procedure and policy.
• Reception duties on the main desk, providing a professional and courteous service to court users, providing necessary advice and directions.
• Ensuring that the all court personnel and court users have vacated the premises prior to making the buildings secure and activating the alarms. On call as an out of hours key holder for the court buildings.

Staff Member - STAKIS REGENCY CASINO - Leeds

(1985-11 - 1998-03)

Managing a team of 6 staff who were responsible for preparing and serving snacks and beverages to the casino customers. Responsible for maintaining the highest level of service to customers and at the same time making sure that hygiene regulations are fully complied with. I was also responsible for staff training and development, upkeep of staff morale as well as planning the rota system and managing staff holidays. I also trained as a casino croupier.