Renee Smith
SOUTH WAIKATO
Summary
Detail-oriented Food Preparation Specialist experienced in food preparation and packing. Achieved high-quality service and customer satisfaction through adherence to health and safety standards and effective collaboration with teams. Focused on continuous learning and contributing as a strong team member.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Cook/Cleaner
Ourplace Catholic Preschool
Hamilton
09.2024 - 04.2026
- Prepared healthy meals following dietary guidelines for preschool children.
- Ensured cleanliness and organization in kitchen and food preparation areas for safe food handling.
- Coordinated menu planning to provide diverse and nutritionally balanced meals.
- Collaborated with staff to accommodate children's food allergies and preferences.
- Oversaw food inventory, guaranteeing use of fresh ingredients to enhance meal quality.
- Adhered to health and safety regulations during food handling processes.
- Educated children about healthy eating habits while serving meals.
- Maintained a clean working environment by sweeping, mopping floors, washing surfaces and emptying trash cans.
- Followed established procedures and requirements for safe food handling, storage and service.
Packer
Blow My Wick
Hamilton
11.2021 - 06.2024
- Packaged candles for shipping using appropriate materials and techniques to ensure safe delivery.
- Inspected products for quality before packaging to ensure standards.
- Prepared orders for dispatch by accurately verifying product counts and labels to meet shipping requirements.
- Packed products in accordance with specified instructions.
- Ensured accurate labeling of boxes and crates for efficient shipping.
- Assembled customer orders from stock and packed items in boxes.
- Reviewed packing slips and other documentation to properly box requested items for shipment.
Concrete Laborer
Morris Concrete
Hamilton
01.2020 - 03.2020
- Prepared job sites by clearing debris and setting up forms for efficient pouring.
- Maintained and cleaned tools and equipment to ensure optimal performance.
- Followed safety protocols to prevent accidents on job sites.
- Loaded and unloaded materials to support timely concrete production operations.
- Utilized shovels and rakes to evenly spread and level concrete on job sites.
- Clean up work area by disposing of debris correctly when job is completed.
Barista FOH
Robert Harris Matamata
Matamata
08.2018 - 01.2020
- Prepared high-quality espresso beverages using various brewing techniques.
- Assisted customers with menu selections and provided exceptional service.
- Ensured cleanliness and organization of coffee shop environment for optimal customer experience.
- Processed customer orders accurately and handled cash transactions efficiently using point-of-sale system.
- Developed knowledge of coffee beans and brewing methods for informed recommendations.
- Prepared and served coffee, espresso drinks, blended coffees and teas.
- Managed morning rush of customers daily with efficient, levelheaded customer service.
- Greeted customers and took orders for coffee drinks, food items, and other beverages.
- Maintained a clean work environment by wiping down counters, washing dishes, and cleaning floors.
- Organized workstations efficiently so that tasks could be completed quickly during peak hours.
- Followed health, safety and sanitation guidelines to pass state inspections.
- Provided clean dishes and tools to kitchen staff promptly to support smooth operations.
Assistant Cafe/Lotto Manager
New World Matamata
Matamata
08.2015 - 09.2018
- Managed daily operations and maintained a welcoming environment for customers.
- Trained and supervised staff to ensure high service standards.
- Oversaw inventory management and ordered supplies for efficient cafe operations.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of the cafe to meet health standards.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints promptly to enhance satisfaction.
- Took inventory of supplies and equipment and placed new orders to maintain stock levels.
- Reconciled daily sales each shift, counting register drawers and resolving discrepancies.
- Greeted customers at front counter, answering questions and inputting specialty coffee orders into POS system.
- Guided customers in selecting lottery games and purchasing tickets to ensure informed choices.
- Educated players on game rules and ticket validation processes.
- Handled cash transactions and managed ticket inventory effectively.
- Processed winning tickets and provided payout information accurately.
- Trained new staff on operational procedures and customer engagement to improve service quality.
- Verified customers' age before selling lottery tickets.
- Balanced cash drawers at the end of shifts to verify cash flow accuracy.
- Handled money according to company policy.
Checkout Operator
New World Matamata
Matamata
2011 - 06.2013
- Scanned items efficiently at checkout, ensuring quick customer service.
- Operated point-of-sale systems for processing purchases smoothly.
- Handled cash transactions accurately and securely.
- Guided customers with product inquiries and store navigation to enhance shopping experience.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally.
- Welcomed customers warmly to foster a positive store atmosphere.
- Learned roles of other departments to provide coverage and keep store operational.
- Followed store policies regarding returns, refunds, discounts.
- Verified the age of customers when selling alcohol or tobacco products.
Education
Matamata College
Matamata, NZ01-2012
Skills
- Food safety
- Safe food handling
- Health and safety compliance
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Cash handling
- Customer service
- Customer engagement
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Organizational skills
- Task prioritization
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Team building
- Relationship building
Certification
- Basic Food Safety and Hygiene Training certification 2025
Timeline
Cook/Cleaner
Ourplace Catholic Preschool
09.2024 - 04.2026
Packer
Blow My Wick
11.2021 - 06.2024
Concrete Laborer
Morris Concrete
01.2020 - 03.2020
Barista FOH
Robert Harris Matamata
08.2018 - 01.2020
Assistant Cafe/Lotto Manager
New World Matamata
08.2015 - 09.2018
Checkout Operator
New World Matamata
2011 - 06.2013
Matamata College