Heather Saunders
Summary
Hardworking, creative and reliable candidate seeking a position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal abilities, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Retail Sales Associate
Castle Hill Chocolate
05.2019 - Current
- Greeted customers and helped with product questions, selections, and purchases.
- Packaged, inventoried, organized and restocked store products, displaying to promote and maintain visually appealing environments.
- Developed and implemented improved strategies to drive revenue.
- Used POS system to process sales, online orders, and gift card activations.
- Completed bi-monthly store inventories.
- Balanced the cash drawer daily and verified sales of all employees.
- Executed in-store and off-premise promotional events.
Business Owner
Hearthstone Portraits/Window Expressions
09.2009 - Current
- Consulted with clients to discuss commission ideas and style preferences to create mutually agreeable project parameters.
- Made use of materials, such as graphite pencils and paints, to complete unique artwork for customers.
- Established foundational processes for business operations.
- Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts, and costs.
- Conducted target market research to discover customer needs and analyze competitor trends.
- Ordered and maintained adequate supply of materials, supplies and equipment.
Marketing Manager/Retail Sales Associate
The Toy Tree
05.2018 - 03.2020
- Collaborated with upper management to create company brand messaging, marketing materials, customer events, promotional strategies, and product commercialization.
- Maintained documentation, detailing assignments, in-progress work and completed project milestones.
- Managed product and sales promotions and marketing strategies on major social media sites.
- Analyzed sales and marketing data for improved strategies and adjusted marketing strategies accordingly.
- Organized promotional events to build relationships with customers, community and key partners to establish long-term business growth.
- Trained personnel on policies, procedures and communications for in-person and telephone etiquette.
- Greeted customers and helped with product questions, selections, and purchases.
- Organized store merchandise and front window displays to promote and showcase products.
- Used POS system to process sales, returns, online orders, and gift card activations.
Publicist
Maximum Exposure Public Relations
06.1999 - 09.2009
- Oversaw public image of over 100 companies and managed all media relations to optimize coverage of clients and special events.
- Managed internal, external and crisis communications.
- Designed, created and distributed marketing materials, campaign e-mail invitations and promotional videos.
- Wrote press materials, produced and delivered press kits and presentations to media representatives.
- Collaborated with production team to coordinate advertisements and promotions.
- Organized, promoted and oversaw bi-monthly press events.
- Cultivated strong relationships with media representatives to secure widespread coverage and feature stories, responding to requests for information.
Catering Sales and Marketing Manager/Office Manager
Chart House Enterprises
05.1993 - 06.1999
- Boosted brand awareness and generated leads while managing internal and external marketing campaigns and programs.
- Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
- Booked, contracted and organized corporate meetings, special events and social occasions of up to 220 people, satisfying client requirements and increasing facility revenues.
- Determined facility, services and staffing needs to establish framework for successful event execution.
- Trained, managed and maintained communication with venue personnel to coordinate event logistics.
- Exceeded sales quotas and increased profitability through effective sales strategy and business planning.
- Participated in promotional events (such as Great Chefs and Taste of the Nation).
- Collaborated cross-functionally with headquarters, regional and other teams nationally to maintain consistent message and experience.
- Created Sales Mix Analysis/Banquet Sales Report workbook for all 71 locations to track event revenue.
- Trained and supervised office staff and managers-in-training in accounting, auditing and payroll procedures.
- Completed reports in daily sales, product mix, payroll and accounts payable/receivable.
- Regulated and updated P&L reports, inventory statistics, expenses, ledgers, payroll data, server statistics, invoices and statements.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Studio Arts
Wheaton College
Norton, MASkills
- Public and Media Relations
- Project Management
- Market Data Collection
- Marketing Campaign Development
- Budget Management
- Superior Organizational Skills
- Networking Skills
- Merchandise Display
- Retail Store Operations
- Artistic Flair
Additional Information
- Volunteered for Merryhill Child Care Center Board of Directors as Secretary (2003-2005), Treasurer (2005-2007), and President (2007-2011)
- Volunteered with Stamford-Norwalk Junior League, Habitat for Humanity, and Newtown School PTA
- Extensive travel in Europe, the United States and the Caribbean
Timeline
Retail Sales Associate
Castle Hill Chocolate
05.2019 - Current
Marketing Manager/Retail Sales Associate
The Toy Tree
05.2018 - 03.2020
Business Owner
Hearthstone Portraits/Window Expressions
09.2009 - Current
Publicist
Maximum Exposure Public Relations
06.1999 - 09.2009
Catering Sales and Marketing Manager/Office Manager
Chart House Enterprises
05.1993 - 06.1999
Bachelor of Arts - Studio Arts
Wheaton College