Maria WardStrength Based Portfolio
Personal InformationMaria Ward28 Garnqueen CrescentGlenboigML5
2SXTel: 01236873809E-mail : [email protected] :
British FemaleDate of Birth : 10 April 1973
Personal Statement
I am a highly motivated, adaptable and results orientated
manager. I have a clear, logical mind with a practical approach to
problem solving and a drive to see things through to completion. I
am self motivated, organised and work well under pressure. I try to
learn something new from every experience because I believe that
there is always room for self-improvement both personally and
professionally.I constantly embrace opportunities to develop my
skills.
Key Skills
Open and honest communicationI communicate well at all levels
and do so clearly and concisely. I am an active listener and I deal
with difficult situations with tact and sensitivity. I spend a lot
of time getting to know people and recognising their needs, which
allows me to develop effective working relationships.Leadership
Skills & Striving for ExcellenceI consistently recognise and
praise the efforts of others and ensure that everyone in the team
is working towards shared goals and are aware of the bigger
picture. I am positive and determined and I take responsibility for
my own objectives and set priorities. I display a can do attitude,
take ownership of problems and suggest improvements.Managing
PerformanceI use on the job coaching to improve the performance of
others and give fresh relevant constructive feedback and praise to
encourage the learning and development of my tam.Strategic PlannerI
am very well organised and always plan ahead, this helps me manage
my time allowing me to spend more time with my team.Results
orientatedI am motivated to achieve results, and get the most
satisfaction from achieving results through my team.
Academic Qualifications
OgradeEnglish, Secretarial Studies, Geography, Arithmetic
HigherEnglish, Geography
HNC Business Studies
Food Safety level 3Personal license Holder
Interests
I am 42 years old. I am married and have two young boys Connor
who is 6 and Charlie who is 4. Charlie starts school after the
summer holidays. I enjoy exercising and go to metafit and various
other clubs weekly. I enjoy spending time outdoors and enjoy
camping with my family. As a mum of two boys I enjoy spending
quality time with my family.I also enjoy reading, music,
socialising with friends and family.
About me
I have a retail background which began at the age of 15 in What
everyone wants as a weekend cashier. I worked there for around 6
years during college and eventually left to take a temporary job in
Marks and Spencer. I then rejoined WEWW as a manager before moving
to Sports division as a manager. I spent a few years there until
January 1999 where I began my career in John Lewis as a manager. I
have worked in various departments within the store from ladies
shoes, beauty, furniture, audio, in fact there are only 3
departments that I haven't worked in. On return from my second
period of maternity leave I returned as a catering manager to run a
very fast paced restaurant. Catering is by far my favourite area to
work in. I enjoy the fast pace of the work and the great team work
that it creates. I also enjoy the procedural side of my job which
involves all aspects of food safety and critical controls. I am
qualified to food safety level 3 and hold a personal license. I
enjoy leading a large team and contributing to the creation of a
happy working environment.
Teamwork Example / Leadership ExampleAn example of where I have
been involved in great team work would be our last food safety
audit for which we achieved a staggering 96%. this is the best
result we have ever achieved and it was done so by everyone
contributing and goals being set. My leadership skills were tested
in the run up to our audit by allowing me to flex my skills to
ensure that all my team knew exactly what was expected from them
and the results that we needed to achieve.
Positive things about my personality
I am a creative person. I am unbiased and considerate. I think
outside the box. I have a great sense of humour and I am down to
earth. I am confident and I am self motivated, enjoy completion of
tasks from beginning to end, I am approachable, trustworthy, loyal
and a great team player.
Things I could bring to the Job.
Organisation, experience of running a multi million pound
restaurant. Experience in dealing with all aspects of food safety
legislation and due diligence. Experience with working to HACCP
procedures and a strict food safety policy. Experience of managing
a large and diverse team. Experience gained from 16 years of
working within one of the most successful employers and investors
in people.
Current Responsibilities
Job PurposeA customer facing line management role to lead a team
to deliver the Retail operating plan, through the delivery of the
JL Food offer and Food safety compliance.
Develop staff and team performance through active use of
performance management and development tools. Use staff opinion to
drive continuous business improvement. Lead the team to deliver
Food safety compliance and the John Lewis food offer.
Customer Lead the team to deliver a warm and friendly customer
experience. Lead the team to be John Lewis brand ambassadors and
resolve customer queries or complaints at the first point of
contact. Lead staff to deliver the John Lewis Food offer, achieving
the agreed food production, service, and presentation standards. To
meet all legislative requirements for the Catering environment.
Sales Achieve sales and transaction targets by leading the
Catering team to actively sell the full product assortment;
offering advice and recommendations based on the customers needs.
Lead the sections commercial performance and implement effective
plans for driving sales, using all relevant information
sources.
Profit Achieve Catering profit targets by understanding trading
performance and implementing plans to maximise profit by driving
sales, amending food production schedules and controlling food
costs. Drive a culture of Continuous Improvement. Interpret the
catering income statement, and communicate financial information to
the Catering team. Recommend corrective action where necessary.
Section Staff Opinion Survey scoreLevers: Quality completion of
staff appraisals and personal development plans. Absence. Turnover.
Accurate and timely completion of staff Health & Safety
training records.Asset management
CustomerContribution to Branch Service scoreLevers: Achieve the
business standard for customer service. Compliance with Food Safety
and Partnership procedure (Targets issued annually by Central
Catering). Line management and Head Office staff feedback on
delivering the John Lewis Food offer and food presentation
standards.
SalesSection Sales/Transactions vs. Last Year and Budget Achieve
the business standard for product knowledge and expertise.
ProfitSection Profit vs. Last Year and BudgetSection Wastage vs.
Last Year and BudgetLevers: Pay costs Food costs
Relationships
Partner line reports.Line Manager and peer group
colleagues.Branch leadership
team.Finance.Maintenance.MarketingVisual MerchandisingHead Office
Partners.Head Office Catering Team.
My MBTI Style:
Activist:As an activist I involve myself fully and without bias
in new experiences. I enjoy the here and now. I am open-minded, not
sceptical, and this tends to make me enthusiastic about anything
new. My philosophy is: "I'll try anything once." I thrive on the
challenge of new experiences.
MBTI Type: ESTJ
As an ESTJ I have a practical, realistic, matter-of-fact
approach. I am decisive, quickly move to implement decisions. I
organize projects and people to get things done, focus on getting
results in the most efficient way possible. I take care of routine
details. I have a clear set of logical standards, systematically
follow them and want others to also.
