Helen Kavanagh

I am looking to develop and progress my career in a field which will allow me to utilise the various skills I have developed throughout my 38 years of retail experience. I am highly motivated, and I have an enterprising nature, which has given me successful leadership qualities in the form of motivation and communication skills which I demonstrate daily. This form of maturity and commitment is shown within my previous and current achievements, which have themselves developed my capabilities as a supervisor.

I would greatly like to enhance these skills by applying them in a new challenge.

Beauty Counter Assistant - Victoria Beckham Beauty Selfridges - Selfridges Birmingham

(2025-10)

I currently work for Victoria Beckham beauty in Selfridges Birmingham. I love my part time position and it really challenges my retail skills. It is a new counter to Selfridges and I have been busy building clientele and providing excellent customer service through makeup and skincare demonstrations and applications. I have a real passion for building a rapport with customers and providing a more one to one service.

Business Owner - My own cleaning business

(2024-01 - 2025-10)

After being made redundant I started my own cleaning business because there weren't any available retail positions in my area. This proved to be a successful move for me and I built up a clientele very quickly. I did this while still trying to find a suitable retail position, something that would challenge me and it meant I wouldn't have to rush into anything quickly, I could wait until the ideal position came up.

Senior Sales Diffusion - Merryhill (Independent Multi-brand Fashion Retailer) - Merryhill

(2022-04 - 2023-12)

I joined the store as senior sales, my key role instore focused on customer service: providing outstanding service to set us apart from other high street competitors, ensuring customer expectations are exceeded where possible with the intention of encouraging repeat and return spend. I am also responsible for maintaining daily high standards in store, processing deliveries, supporting on-line sales, helping the management team to motivate daily store and personal KPI's, assisting with product knowledge training across the team, cash handling to include all transactions, exchanges, refunds and customer queries. I was made redundant due to company going into liquidation.

Company Beauty Specialist - Frasers Group - Wolverhampton

(2021-03 - 2022-04)

I held the position of Company Beauty specialist. My role involved providing one to one customer service across all brands within the Beauty Hall. I received extensive training for all brands within cosmetics and fragrance to ensure I provided the highest levels of service and support to ensure the customer purchased all relevant products.

I was motivated to achieve personal and brand targets for the department, taking part in daily and weekly incentives and promoting brand products in line with company focus.

Cashier / Beauty and Nail Department Supervisor - Capitol Hair and Beauty - Brierley Hill

(2018-04 - 2020-01)

I held the position of cashier for a wholesale Beauty warehouse, responsible for processing all instore promotions at the till point and general customer service to help with correct product purchase. I was also given the role of overseeing the beauty and nail department working with multiple brands, completing daily stock control and implementing standards. I took part in in-store events promoting products to new and existing customers.

Supervisor - Twenty9 - Merryhill

(2013-08 - 2018-04)

I joined the company as Store supervisor. My role was predominantly customer service focused, I was responsible for motivating personal and store KPI's, driving service standards and supporting the sales team through product knowledge and training. I was key holder, overseeing the opening and closing of the store daily in the absence of the manager. Reporting daily figures, completing payroll and actioning instore stock control

Brand Specialist / Business Manager / Makeup Artist - Debenhams - Merryhill

(1999-11 - 2013-08)

During my time with Debenhams, I worked in the beauty hall for various premium cosmetic and fragrance brands including YSL, Lancôme, Estee Lauder and Thierry Mugler. My roles varied from brand specialist to business manager. I completed 6 years as a makeup artist for lauder booking all customer appointments, driving sales and holding events to promote the brand.

I then moved on to business manager for Mugler responsible for growing the department by 140% allowing me to employee additional staff to support the brand.

Part time Supervisor - Wallis - Merryhill

(1998-11 - 1999-08)

Full time Deputy Manager - Ravel Shoes - Merryhill

(1997-01 - 1998-12)

Full time Deputy Manager - Torq Jewellers - Merryhill

(1992-01 - 1997-12)

Sales Assistant - Adams Childrens Wear - Merryhill

(1988-01 - 1992-12)

GCSE - Child development, Home economics, Commerce, French, English Language, English Literature, Mathematics - Hillcrest school & community college (1984-01 - 1988-12)