Colette Kriel

A locally owned commercial and domestic cleaning services provider, servicing the North Island.

• Build strong working relationships within company, from directors to staff undertaking cleaning across Wellington and Auckland teams
• Work with internal partners to design and execute strategic communications, initiatives and coach change management to increase overall employee alignment and engagement
• Drive culture and engagement projects from conception to completion, including culture assessment, development and implementation workshops and activities
• Conduct audits of HR systems and practices in place to ensure relevant and remain up-to-date and relevant. Review, update and implement changes when and where needed, including Covid-19 policies and procedures
• Draft people and capability strategy to support business' needs and cultural goals
• Take lead and provide support to Customer Services Managers and General Managers (Wellington and Auckland) in employment relations matters
• Recruitment and talent acquisition for Wellington and Auckland offices and teams
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate mutually beneficial agreements between parties
• Perform duties under applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environments
• Built strong relationships with leaders across business to communicate strategic goals and initiatives

The Design Store is a New Zealand-owned and operated provider of quality, reliable furniture, home wares, and gifts.

• Developed and managed activities and operations of HR department
• Handled all employee relations matters, together with Managing Director, and Employment Lawyer (where necessary)
• Organisational development and behaviour – including devising and conducting team building events and manager's conferences and workshops to build high-level engagement
• Set up and maintain Independent Employment Agreements (New Zealand legislation compliancy) and Job Descriptions
• Conducted annual salary surveys and made recommendations to business owner
• Developed, analysed, and updated salary budget
• Developed, implemented, and executed staff performance evaluation process
• Employee development and training needs assessment and execution thereof
• Recruitment and selection of staff - Head Office, warehouse and retail stores
• Devised, implemented and conducted new employee induction and orientation program
• Implemented and conducted exit interviews
• Maintained employee records and reports
• Maintained company directory and organogram
• Employee safety, welfare, wellness and health – 51 staff members – Head Office, Distribution Centre, Stores
• Regional Manager for 7 stores across Auckland – staff management, KPIs, training and development
• Staffing – devised, set up and monitored internet-based staff roster, responsible for leave approvals, with Store Managers
• Handled customer complaints – staff related
• Managed and motivated sales team to achieve monthly targets and increase revenue

Innovative forecourt convenience store concept, developed by the Fruit & Veg City group.

• Retail consultation to eleven specialised convenience stores in territory
• Provide high standard of advice and expertise to retailers and store owners in areas of merchandising methods and planograms, financial analysis, stock management, and methods to improve margins and profits
• Resolved complaints and enquiries
• Trained staff in convenience store retail management and merchandising
• Identified sales opportunities within territory
• Monitored and enforced food hygiene and safety standards
• Implemented effective systems and processes to drive sales and profits
• Conducted in-store quality and franchise governance audits
• Liaised with retailers, suppliers and other key stakeholders to build strong working relationships and ensure sales growth
• Planned and executed new store openings, with head office support team
• Arranged and oversaw opening day promotions and activities, ribbon-cutting ceremonies and competitions
• Developed and implemented effective and innovative in-store promotions and marketing ideas
• Organised celebrity appearances and product giveaways for public holiday promotions
• Performed as strong leader of a cohesive team with strict enforcement of health and safety regulations

Key Achievements:

• All stores in region consistently achieved more than required 80% score for food and hygiene audits, result never previously achieved.
• Continuous sales growth of 6% to 10% weekly in region.

Industry leaders in supplying network pre-paid mobile products to major and independent retailers in South Africa.

National Retail Manager: February 2010 – January 2011

Area Manager: January 2008 – January 2010

• Managed national field operations
• Customer service and liaison, build and maintain strong working relationships
• Provide high standard of advice and expertise to key accounts, executive and key stakeholder
• Training and mentoring personnel
• Rostered and managed staff levels
• Sales analysis and regular reporting to board and executives
• Marketing and promotions
• Oversaw in-store merchandising standards
• Conducted in-store quality audits
• Brand awareness and protection
• Managed expense budgets and sales forecasts
• Produced various reports, correspondence, and documentation

Executive Assistant to CEO and COO January 2002 – December 2007

• Provided high standard of executive assistance and administrative support to CEO and COO.

Fortune 1000 company manufacturing spices, herbs and flavourings for retail, commercial and industrial markets,

Human Resources Manager January 2000 – September 2001

Personal Assistant to Managing Director February 1996 – December 1999

• Established Human Resources department from scratch
• Developed and executed diversity management, coaching and training program
• Staff training and team building events
• Conducted analysis on staff training needs for recommendations to Managing Director (SA) and UK office
• Staff planning, succession planning and budgeting
• Conducted staff appraisals and delivering career path guidance
• Oversaw all disciplinary procedures and hearings