PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS AND KEY SKILLS

Internal and external communications; account management and stakeholder relationship building; writing, editing and proofreading; content development; project and event management; organised; creative solution seeker; training and development; research and strategy; understand design and printing processes; adept in Adobe Creative Suite. 

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT

Freelancing as a marketing and communications consultant, I have worked with two NGOs, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) on their Supply Chain Integrity project and Joint Aid Management SA, doing corporate communications work, including content creation, research, interviewing of subjects, writing, editing and proofreading, as well as creating content for infographics. I have created and adapted internal and external communications strategies, managed social media and creative campaigns and liaised with designers and printers to ensure the best possible look and feel of the designed documents. I also liaised with printers to approve final versions and ensure smooth printing.

Since October 2017, I have consulted for a small foundry which produces a hit product, the 3-in-1 Jaffle Iron, developing their website, and creating and writing content and various other communication and marketing materials (product lists, advertisements, flyers and newsletter items). Also important to the foundry was the revamping and managing of their social media (creating content and managing social engagement).

Our rebranding efforts have been very successful, with this product being featured in two relevant magazines
(SA Jagter/Hunter and Caravan and Outdoor Life, including a promotion with Caravan and Outdoor Life whereby readers submitted their camping cooking stories and the best story won a jaffle iron with accessories). This has led to the 3-in-1 Jaffle Iron being the most credible and popular brand in the market (against competitors with similar products) and to the product being sought-after and shipped to various overseas markets. Please see the website: www.hvcasting.co.za and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/3in1jaffleiron 

Amongst other projects, I have also consulted for a medium-sized printer in Johannesburg, where I have proofread, edited and rewritten various marketing documents for the company, ensuring that the content distributed to their stakeholders is professional and in-line with their brand.

Included is the research and creation of a strategy to reposition the in-house restaurant within a prominent residential estate to create an uptake in event participation and foot traffic for the restaurant. I also developed and created communication and marketing materials (newsletter, advertisement, social media and other).

I have also worked on helping a flooring and accessories company rebrand their image, to focus on information for consumers (B2C as opposed to B2B), which meant that their product descriptions were too technical and needed to be revised and simplified to appeal to consumers.

KEY ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL, AFRICA

My role at FSC Africa was broad, and encompassed communications, marketing and business development, as well as relationship and event management. I developed a strategy to create awareness and for the promotion of the FSC brand throughout Africa, and set and managed the budget for the role.

Managing events and exhibitions was a huge part of my responsibilities, and I worked on various exhibitions, conceptualising the themes to ensure FSC brand consistency, and sourcing and working with designers and printers to bring the themes to life in the exhibition panels and materials. All administrative work pertaining to exhibitions was completed by me, including the management of the stand during the exhibitions. I managed the social media for exhibitions.

I was also instrumental in organising and project managing the Africa Regional conference with attendees from all over Africa: sourcing the venue, coordinating with the venue for attendees’ travel and accommodation, and addressing all requirements such as technical issues and sourcing translators.

I also planned, developed and hosted a breakaway session at the FSC In Good Company conference, approaching and coaching speakers, content creation of the session as well as liaising with the facilitator to host a robust session with good outcomes. This along with being the primary coordinator for the event, where I worked with the event management company to ensure a successful event.

In a communications and marketing role, I created and managed the FSC Africa Facebook page, as well as the front and back end of the FSC Africa page on the FSC International website (this included adding content and information). 

I worked on the Labelwise campaign, where I collaborated with our eco-label partners to create awareness of eco-labels and promote our brands. We created the strategy for the campaign (including identifying target market, developing objectives and implementation). I was the focal point for FSC Africa on the campaign, managing the relationships with our partners and the advertising agency we worked with. I worked with our partners to approve the concept, suitable materials (including Youtube advertisement, website and posters) and copy provided by the agency.

I managed the FSC trademark programme for non-certificate holders for the Africa region, where I created training materials for clients, and guided and supported clients in the use of our trademark, including approvals of artwork. Ensuring correct use of our trademark and brand consistency was of utmost importance.

Part of my role was to create training materials, develop presentations and create content for proposals and Memorandum of Understandings to promote FSC and create awareness of our brand. 

I sourced suppliers and coordinated the printing of various marketing materials, including liaising with designers to create marketing materials and writers to create communication materials, checking and approving all concepts, designs, articles etc.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SECTION HEAD - UNITED PRINTING AND PUBLISHING (ABU DHABI)

Working at the largest printer in the Middle East, I headed up the Quality Assurance department. I was responsible for all certifications, and environment, health and safety in the company. I managed a team of five people, coordinating their day-to-day activities and roles, and overseeing their work. I set and managed the training budgets for all departments.

I fulfilled a very senior role within the company, as the Management Representative for all of our certifications, including ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environment) and OHSAS 18001 (health and safety). 

I implemented the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest (PEFC) certifications, as well as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) certification.

As well as that, I implemented a government-mandated environment, health and safety management system.

As part of the responsibilities for the Management Representative, I would set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for quality, environment, health and safety for my department as well as overseeing the KPIs for all other departments within the company. My role was to analyse each department and identify any gaps, in order to improve and streamline processes within each department.

I ensured compliance with national and international standards and legislations, and built relationships with representatives from government bodies. 

I collated and analysed all performance data within the company, and presented these findings to top management (CEO, COO and all directors). All EHS statistics were reported to the Abu Dhabi government body responsible for health and safety. I conducted internal audits, represented the company in 3rd party audits, and ensured all audit findings were addressed and closed. 

I coordinated and oversaw all root cause investigations and analyses into incorrect jobs, and implemented measures to correct problems. I conducted risk assessment evaluations for each department, and ensured that hazards were systematically eliminated or reduced.

SENIOR FINISHED ARTIST (VARIOUS)

As a finished artist at some of the best agencies in South Africa (including The Jupiter Drawing Room, Switch Branding and Design, and the Harwood, Kirsten, Leigh, McCoy group), my job was to ensure that all artwork that went to the printers was print-ready. Responsibilities included layout, typesetting and design, retouching and colour correction, drawing die cuts and ensuring the correct pagination of documents, passing jobs on the press, and communicating with suppliers and printers.