Donna Boonen
Whakatane,BOP
Summary
Dedicated professional with expertise in kitchen equipment operation and baking techniques. Proven ability to optimize workflow and maintain punctuality while delivering exceptional customer service. Compassionate home care provider and skilled bakery assistant with strong abilities in client support, baking methods, and merchandising display. Focused on delivering exceptional service while maintaining safety and efficiency in all operations.
Overview
42
42
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Home Care Provider
Ashbrook No 2 Trust
Whakatane, BOP
01.2025 - 01.2026
- Assisted clients with daily living activities and personal care needs.
- Monitored client health, reporting changes to medical staff to ensure timely interventions.
- Provided companionship and emotional support to enhance client well-being.
- Assisted with medication management according to prescribed schedules.
- Maintained a clean and safe living environment for clients at home.
- Supervised clients, monitoring physical condition and behavior to promote a safe living environment.
- Developed strong and trusting rapport with patients to facilitate smooth, quality care.
- Reported concerns to nurse supervisor to promote optimal care.
Bakery Assistant
The Cake Kitchen
Gisborne, Gisborne
07.2015 - 12.2025
- Prepared baked goods according to established recipes and quality standards.
- Operated kitchen equipment, including mixers and ovens, with precision.
- Assisted customers with product selection, ensuring exceptional service.
- Maintained cleanliness of work areas while adhering to safety protocols.
- Collaborated with team members to optimize workflow during peak hours.
- Monitored inventory levels, promptly reporting shortages to management.
- Trained new bakery employees on POS system for order processing and payments.
- Organized storage areas for efficient access to ingredients and supplies.
Shop Assistant
Mill Liquor
Gisborne, Gisborne
03.2006 - 07.2015
- Assisted customers with product selection and inquiries.
- Organized merchandise displays to attract customers and drive sales.
- Processed transactions accurately using point-of-sale systems.
- Maintained inventory levels through regular stock checks.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure store cleanliness.
- Operated cash register and processed customer transactions efficiently.
- Ensured compliance with liquor laws and store policies during sales activities.
- Educated customers on product features and promotions to enhance purchasing decisions.
- Trained new associates on store procedures and customer service standards.
- Greeted customers, answered questions and provided product knowledge.
- Restocked merchandise on shelves regularly.
- Organized displays to attract customers and promote sales.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly to maintain positive relationships and ensure satisfaction.
- Enforced store policies regarding returns, exchanges, refunds.
- Conducted price checks for customers when requested.
- Ensured all safety protocols were followed while handling alcoholic beverages.
- Maintained cleanliness of store by sweeping floors, dusting shelves and organizing items.
- Received shipments of new products and checked for accuracy against invoices.
- Kept up-to-date on current promotions, discounts, specials and other offers.
- Regularly monitored expiration dates on perishable items such as beer or wine.
- Resolved customer complaints quickly and professionally in order to maintain positive relationships with patrons.
- Checked identification of customers to ensure they met legal drinking age requirements.
- Assisted customers with loading purchases into their vehicles safely.
- Assisted in stocking shelves with liquor products.
- Provided excellent customer service by being friendly, helpful and courteous.
- Performed inventory management duties such as counting bottles, restocking shelves and tracking stock levels.
- Processed customer transactions using cash register accurately and efficiently.
- Trained new employees in proper store operations procedures.
- Followed all health and safety regulations when handling food products or hazardous materials.
- Cleaned and restocked aisles through shifts to maintain customer-ready store.
- Took payment for purchases by cash, credit, debit and personal check and provided correct change.
- Maintained thorough and current knowledge of available brands and lines to give customers expert advice.
- Reviewed driver's licenses and other forms of ID to ensure proof-of-age, refusing sales to anyone under 21.
- Complied with strict liquor sales laws to control store liability and protect minors from access to alcohol.
- Kept till neat and accurate and secured large bills in safe to minimize losses from theft.
- Answered questions from callers and in-store guests to offer information and promote products.
- Inspired customers to try new items by educating on wines and store promotions.
Floor Supervisor
Gilmours
Gisborne, Gisborne
01.1997 - 03.2006
- Managed daily operations to ensure efficient floor activities and customer satisfaction.
- Supervised staff performance, providing guidance and training as needed.
- Trained new employees on company policies and operational procedures.
- Monitored inventory levels and coordinated timely restocking to maintain optimal stock availability.
- Facilitated team meetings to address operational issues and enhance team communication.
- Implemented process improvements to enhance workflow and productivity.
- Assisted in resolving customer inquiries and complaints effectively.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization in work areas for safety compliance.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations and company policies.
- Performed daily opening and closing procedures according to established guidelines.
- Supervised and evaluated staff performance, providing feedback and guidance as needed.
- Delegated tasks appropriate to individual employees to provide development opportunities.
- Provided excellent customer service by responding promptly to inquiries from customers or team members.
- Addressed employee issues and conflicts to provide input, feedback, and coaching.
- Monitored inventory levels and placed orders for additional stock.
- Connected with customers to provide assistance and collect feedback to optimize operations.
- Tracked weekly sales data to identify customer behavior trends and inform operational strategies.
- Taught junior employees proactive strategies to meet operational and sales goals.
Order Picker
Foodstuffs
Rotorua, Rotorua
01.1984 - 05.1988
- Operated warehouse equipment to efficiently pick and prepare customer orders.
- Inspected products for quality and accuracy before packaging.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain smooth workflow in the warehouse.
- Managed inventory levels and organized stock, enhancing accessibility for order fulfillment.
- Followed safety protocols to ensure a secure working environment.
- Assisted in training new staff on order picking procedures and equipment use, ensuring adherence to operational standards.
- Utilized handheld scanners to track inventory movements accurately.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of the work area to enhance efficiency.
- Fulfilled orders quickly to accomplish challenging daily objectives.
- Picked up heavy objects using proper lifting techniques to avoid personal injuries.
- Utilized scanning equipment for picking, packing and shipping orders.
- Picked products from designated locations using various tools and transferred to appropriate areas for further processing.
- Limited damage to products and orders by using care when choosing items.
- Ensured that all safety regulations were followed while performing work duties.
- Organized warehouse shelves according to item size, type, style, color or product code.
- Verified accuracy of orders by comparing items and quantities picked to customer invoices.
- Stacked cartons on pallets according to size and weight specifications.
- Packaged fragile items with protective padding to prevent damages during shipments.
- Followed established procedures for receiving incoming shipments and verifying contents against purchase orders.
- Completed paperwork related to order picking tasks accurately and promptly.
- Participated in training sessions, acquiring new picking techniques and technologies to improve efficiency.
- Implemented time-management skills to prioritize urgent orders and manage workload.
- Ensured cleanliness and organization of the picking and storage areas to optimize workflow.
- Maintained flexibility to rotate through different picking zones as required by management.
- Adhered to company policies and procedures to maintain a safe and efficient working environment.
- Demonstrated attention to detail in selecting correct item sizes, colors, and quantities.
Education
Management Development Certificate - Food Retail
Foodstuffs Training
Auckland, NZ10-2003
Some College (No Degree) - High School Education
Whakatane High School
Whakatane, NZ11-1981
Skills
- Workflow improvement
- Communication effectiveness
- Punctuality
- Order processing
- Kitchen equipment use
- Baking methods
- Merchandising display
Certification
Certificate in Management Development
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Home Care Provider
Ashbrook No 2 Trust
01.2025 - 01.2026
Bakery Assistant
The Cake Kitchen
07.2015 - 12.2025
Shop Assistant
Mill Liquor
03.2006 - 07.2015
Floor Supervisor
Gilmours
01.1997 - 03.2006
Order Picker
Foodstuffs
01.1984 - 05.1988
Management Development Certificate - Food Retail
Foodstuffs Training
Some College (No Degree) - High School Education
Whakatane High School