Patricia van der Westhuizen
Napier,Taradale
Summary
Experienced Category Manager and Project Coordinator with 13+ years’ experience across retail, local government, procurement, and contract administration. Skilled in managing complex workflows, supplier relationships, financial tracking, tendering, and cross-functional coordination. Known for being highly organised, solutions-focused, and dependable, with strong communication skills and a collaborative approach that builds trust with stakeholders at all levels. Brings a blend of operational discipline and relationship management with a reputation for being reliable, organised, and easy to work with.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Whiteware Product Manager
Big Save Furniture
Napier
09.2025 - Current
- Lead the national whiteware category across 29 stores
- Develop and maintain category strategy covering range planning, pricing, promotions, and product lifecycle management.
- Partner with marketing to deliver effective promotional campaigns and catalogue content.
- Oversee forecasting and inventory planning to minimise overstock, reduce aged stock, and maintain availability.
- Collaborate with store managers and merchandising manager to ensure strong merchandising execution.
- Analyse sales, market trends, and competitor activity to inform strategic decisions and category improvements.
- External stakeholder engagement with large retail suppliers to align priorities, resolve issues, and drive category performance.
- Deliver regular category reviews and performance reporting to senior leadership and executives.
Project Coordinator
Napier City Council
08.2024 - 09.2025
- Streamlined contract administration processes and ensured accurate reporting.
- Facilitated contract management service delivery and document development processes.
- Oversaw tendering processes to secure contract awards and purchase orders.
- Managed processing of accruals, variations, claims, retentions, invoices, and payments.
- Monitored and ensured timely processing of contractual payments in compliance with NZS3910 regulations.
- Oversaw management of bonds, insurance, warranties, and defect period documentation in compliance with NZS3910 regulations.
- Facilitated compliance reporting in alignment with council contract procedures.
- Facilitated coordination of project management activities alongside project managers.
- Oversaw systems for effective management of multiple projects.
- Compiled and analyzed data to prepare comprehensive monthly progress reports for leadership.
- Articulated project financials to drive informed decision-making on time and cost management.
- Monitored adherence to council policies and legal obligations.
- Oversaw project implementation and provided detailed reports on adherence to established plans.
- Facilitated drafting and compilation of tender documents and NZS3910 construction contracts.
- Facilitated administrative operations for project design team.
- Enhanced and executed data filing and capture systems to streamline information management.
- Oversaw data entry operations within council information systems.
- Support the development of a high-performing and competent team.
- Cultivated and sustained robust relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
Water Strategy Team Coordinator
Napier City Council
02.2023 - 08.2024
- Develop and maintain accurate contract administration processes and reporting.
- Administer tendering, contract awards, and purchase orders.
- Process accruals, variations, claims, retentions, invoices, and payments according to NZS3910 regulations.
- Track and manage project and contract deliverables.
- Ensure compliance with Council contract management procedures.
- Support financial analysis, cost-to-complete, and variance reporting.
- Prepare monthly progress and compliance reports.
- Provide administrative support to the Projects Design and 3 Waters Teams.
- Manage data entry, filing systems, and document control.
- Support departmental cost and budget management.
- Process and maintain 3 Waters Operational Standard Operating Procedures.
- Ensure timely review and stakeholder engagement in SOP updates.
- Manage team calendars, meeting coordination, and Council reporting deadlines.
- Monitor and respond to customer service requests.
- Support file management transitions and procurement processes.
- Executive Support to Manager Water Strategy
- Coordinate training, travel, and accommodation for the team.
- Prepare agendas, arrange presenters, and draft responses.
- Facilitate LGOIMA requests and ensure legislative compliance.
- Support recruitment and onboarding processes.
- Provide backup support to other infrastructure administrators.
- Support business improvement initiatives, especially in data and document management.
- Foster strong internal and external stakeholder relationships.
Bookkeeper
Uni-Vision Services (Pty) Ltd
Pretoria, South Africa
03.2022 - 10.2022
- Executed daily bookkeeping functions for high-volume procurement operations.
- Executed bank reconciliation processes and analyzed financial transactions, ensuring accurate account assignments.
- Documented debit, credit, and account transactions within internal bookkeeping system (Oracle).
- Processed invoices and payments for accounts payable and receivable. Assisted in maintaining accurate financial records. Supported reconciliation of account discrepancies.
- Ensured full compliance during execution and tracking of bank reconciliations, accounts payable invoicing, billing, and collections.
- Reviewed postings and documents to ensure accuracy and proper coding standards.
- Compiled and analyzed financial data to produce accurate monthly reports.
Senior Administration Manager
Edu-Phoenix Tutoring Centre
Pretoria, South Africa
12.2020 - 02.2022
- Tracked and analysed expenditures to deliver budgets and financial reports.
- Monitored office supplies to replenish needed inventory before depletion.
- Liaised with customers, addressed inquiries, handled meeting requests and answered billing questions to provide outstanding customer care.
- Oversaw office support, managing records database and organizing contracts.
- Automated office operations to optimize accounts payable and receivable, customer correspondence and data communications.
- Managed paper or electronic filing systems by recording information, updating paperwork and maintaining documents.
- Developed invoicing systems and internal controls to boost billing efficiencies.
- Completed month-end and year-end closings, kept records audit-ready and monitored timely recording of accounting transactions.
- Recommended new financial and accounting software packages, replacing various non-integrated offerings.
- Generated expense, income and open balances reports.
- Performed account reconciliations and conducted investigations into any discrepancies.
Senior Accounting Administrator
Banabatau Projects
Pretoria, South Africa
01.2019 - 12.2020
- Administrative activities including purchase orders, quotations and invoices (Pastel & WorkflowMax)
- Processing bank reconciliations, purchase requisitions and weekly wages
- Completing and submitting supplier/vendor applications
- Analysed financial activities to share budgetary input with managers.
- Implemented departmental policies and standards in conjunction with management to streamline internal processes.
- Managed coding on invoices and documented all processes.
- Resolved customer complaints or answered customers' questions.
- Consulted with managers to resolve problems relating to employee performance, office equipment and work schedules.
- Worked with accountants and HR to prepare financial data.
- Monitored all account payable and account receivable happenings.
- Monitored petty cash.
- Maintained cash flow reports.
- Coordinated with other supervisors, combining group efforts to achieve goals.
Administrator & Personal Assistant
KCW Banabatau (Pty) Ltd
Pretoria, South Africa
11.2016 - 12.2019
- Administrative activities including quotations, invoicing and reporting.
- Answered telephones to take messages or redirect calls to appropriate colleagues.
- Evaluated needs of departments and delegated tasks to optimize overall production.
- Organized client meetings to provide project updates.
- Utilized document management system to organize company files, keeping up-to-date and easily accessible data.
- Displayed strong telephone etiquette, effectively handling difficult calls.
- Worked closely with human resources to support employee management and organizational planning.
- Processed employee payroll, rehires, transfers and terminations.
- Managed electronic timekeeping systems or manually collected and reviewed timesheets.
Legal Secretary
Eloff Brink Attorneys
Pretoria, South Africa
09.2015 - 10.2016
- Coordinated communication efforts by managing email correspondence, transferring calls, and maintaining organized filing systems.
- Oversaw office scheduling and maintained precise records of deadlines, motions, and critical dates.
- Executed filing of clients' legal documents in appropriate courts for timely processing.
- Facilitated processing of closing and transactional documents for legal review.
- Managed preparation and processing of expense reports for attorney reimbursements.
- Managed coordination of law office activities to enhance operational efficiency.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive case management and client account databases.
- Facilitated administrative support and conducted research to enhance attorneys' civil litigation preparation.
- Managed telephone call operations and coordinated meeting plans and conference organization requirements.
- Addressed client calls and inquiries to provide relevant information.
- Composed correspondence, documented data, and submitted materials to relevant stakeholders.
- Composed motions, briefs, and various legal documents with precision.
- Facilitated efficient access to legal documents by structuring filing systems and databases.
- Facilitated legal processes by preparing pleadings, affidavits, motions, and exhibits to support case development.
Senior Travel Consultant
Exotic Vacations
Pretoria, South Africa
11.2012 - 01.2015
- Facilitated seamless travel experiences for both leisure and corporate clients through meticulous planning and execution.
- Provided expert guidance and tailored recommendations to enhance client travel experiences.
- Managed comprehensive quoting and invoicing for clients to facilitate timely payments.
- Oversaw administration of client documents for audit compliance.
- Addressed client inquiries, issues, and complaints with prompt and effective solutions.
- Provided expert advice on visa, passport, and security protocols to facilitate seamless travel preparation.
- Fostered teamwork to drive store performance and cultivate a positive workplace atmosphere.
- Resolved financial discrepancies by accurately collecting customer fees, managing refunds, and ensuring precise travel documentation.
- Engaged in travel seminars to enhance industry knowledge and market insights.
Education
PRINCE2 Foundation - New Zealand Standards - Construction
NZIHT
Napier City, NZ2025
Understanding NZS3910:2023 Conditions of Contract - New Zealand Standards - Construction
NZIHT
Napier City, NZ2025
Foundation Course - Procurement
Clever Buying
Napier City, NZ2024
Teaching Business English - undefined
The TEFL Academy
01-2022
Teaching English Foreign Language - undefined
The TEFL Academy
01-2022
High School Diploma -
Barberton High School
Skills
- Problem-solving
- Project coordination
- Detail-oriented
- Data analytics
- Financial reporting
- Stakeholder engagement
Certification
NZ Drivers Licence
Languages
Afrikaans
English
Timeline
Whiteware Product Manager
Big Save Furniture
09.2025 - Current
Project Coordinator
Napier City Council
08.2024 - 09.2025
Water Strategy Team Coordinator
Napier City Council
02.2023 - 08.2024
Bookkeeper
Uni-Vision Services (Pty) Ltd
03.2022 - 10.2022
Senior Administration Manager
Edu-Phoenix Tutoring Centre
12.2020 - 02.2022
Senior Accounting Administrator
Banabatau Projects
01.2019 - 12.2020
Administrator & Personal Assistant
KCW Banabatau (Pty) Ltd
11.2016 - 12.2019
Legal Secretary
Eloff Brink Attorneys
09.2015 - 10.2016
Senior Travel Consultant
Exotic Vacations
11.2012 - 01.2015
Teaching Business English - undefined
The TEFL Academy
Teaching English Foreign Language - undefined
The TEFL Academy
PRINCE2 Foundation - New Zealand Standards - Construction
NZIHT
Understanding NZS3910:2023 Conditions of Contract - New Zealand Standards - Construction
NZIHT
Foundation Course - Procurement
Clever Buying
High School Diploma -
Barberton High School