Suzanne “Suze” Davis

After many years of working within customer services & logistical-based roles, my strengths are planning and problem solving. I am a people person who has strong communication & listening skills, so I partner well with colleagues & 3rd party companies to ensure projects with strict timescales & specifications are met. Over the last few years, I (like many others) became a remote office worker, so am quite capable of managing myself and working independently, but have missed working within team spaces where collaboration is encouraged.

I have been in continuous full-time employment since finishing education in 2007, but recently decided I was not happy with how my career was going, so took steps to become self-employed by the end of 2023. Since the summer of 2021, I have been working ad-hoc as sales support for a handful of independent traders at music, horror, tattoo & seasonal events. I have really enjoyed going back to my retail roots, being back amongst people & talking with directly with customers.

All of the above has made me want be more adventurous with work opportunities, be it as a temporary employee or on a flexible part-time basis.

Stock Planning Administrator; Supply Chain Analyst - OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS - Oxford

(2017 - 2023)

I joined OUP as an administrator for the Stock Planning department, which originally involved general office/department organisational tasks as well as managing temporary worker contracts. This soon expanded to take advantage of my previous supply chain experience & professional communication skills to include manuscript correction processing. My career then took another turn where I was offered the chance to be the sole Analyst for OUP’s supply chain into our biggest customer, Amazon!

This evolution in my role at OUP is a testament to my inquisitive nature and problem-solving skills. I thoroughly enjoyed examining the processes, identifying the sticking points, and working with colleagues & 3rd parties to improve the quality & efficiency of our service.

Customer Services Advisor & Exhibition Stock Coordinator - BOOKPOINT LTD. - Milton Park, Oxfordshire

(2014 - 2017)

Within this role I was responsible for maintain the gratis & exhibition stock supply process for many publishing houses within the Hachette UK, who are one of the biggest publishing groups in the UK. Timing was of huge importance for both types of demand, so I helped develop more efficient order processes, as well as thorough dispatch & tracking monitors. I worked closely with the warehouse & our 3rd party carriers to ensure that exhibition stock was delivered to specific locations worldwide within the timescales pre-determined by the event spaces.

Reception/Administration Support - LISTER WILDER LTD. - Wallingford, Oxfordshire

(2013 - 2014)

This opportunity built on a few of my previous experiences I had from working in the Motor Trade, as well as being brought up in a farming family, where I have naturally developed an understanding and some basic skills around farm machinery and agriculture. This role also helped me to continue my learning on technical processes, instructional documents, chain reactions and how to implement solutions, by assisting with workshop admin tasks such as warranty claims. These of which I continue to use in employment or maintaining my own home & vehicles.

Account Manager - EST MARKETING LTD. - Reading, Berkshire

(2011 - 2013)

Lead Generation is basically cold calling companies within a data base to see if there are any prospective technology projects which we can offer a solution to be considered. I was head hunted for this role, as one of my customers at WLMG had appreciated my enthusiastic nature and already acquired training in diagnostic questioning. I was surrounded by as equally high energy people and found it to be a very empowering environment.

I exited the company due to having the opportunity to move home and go travelling.

Service Advisor - WEST LONDON MOTOR GROUP (WLMG) - Reading, Berkshire

(2009 - 2011)

I got very lucky and had been placed on a temp job at a small family run car dealership, months before they got taken over by a larger group called WLMG. I did not have a driving licence, but I impressed the owner of WLMG with my basic working mechanical knowledge and enthusiastic nature. During the take over I got sent on courses to develop my diagnostic questioning and to tailor my Waitrose/Retail style customer service skills to be more appropriate for the Motor Trade.

I really enjoyed working alongside the workshop to expand my basic knowledge of vehicle mechanics & people management (be it customers or the mechanics themselves). Some hard lessons were learned during this time, as not all problems can be solved with enthusiasm and a smile, I really had to learn prioritisation and take ownership of any mistakes which were made under my instruction.

VARIETY OF PART-TIME / TEMPORY JOBS & VOLENTEERING

• Young Carer (both my Mum & Sister are disabled, so assisting them was my first real responsibility)
• Donkey Sanctuary Volunteer (caring for Donkeys)
• Catering at Events (making food to order)
• Waitrose (Till Operative)
• Shakeaway (Milkshake Maker)
• Schuh (Full-Time Shoe Salesperson & Merchandiser, with some Stock Management responsibilities)

Sales Support - Self-employed

(2021)

Since the summer of 2021, I have been working ad-hoc as sales support for a handful of independent traders at music, horror, tattoo & seasonal events.

10 GCSE’s (2002 - 2007)

AS levels - Mathematics, Art & Design Technology (2002 - 2007)

BTEC Diploma - Fashion & Textiles (2002 - 2007)