John Sollis
Valley View,South Australia
Summary
Results-driven professional with 25 years in the optical industry. Skilled in inventory control, insurance claim processing, and team training. Committed to fostering exceptional customer experiences and optimizing operational efficiency. Adaptable optical expert known for strong customer service and technical skills.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Dispenser
Laubman & Pank
Ingle Farm, SA
01.2013 - Current
- Operated dispensing equipment and ensured proper measurements.
- Collected precise measurements of customers' facial features for tailored eyewear fitting. such as bridge, eye size, temple length, seg heights, vertex distance, pupillary distance and pantoscopic tilt.
- Collaborated with optometrists to fulfill prescription requirements.
- Processed insurance claims to ensure timely reimbursements for prescription eyewear.
- Verified patient information to ensure accurate dispensing of glasses.
- Educated clients on proper eyewear care and usage to enhance product longevity and satisfaction.
- Assisted customers in selecting appropriate eyewear solutions.
- Provided exceptional customer service to enhance client satisfaction.
- Trained new staff on dispensing procedures and best practices.
- Kept abreast of latest developments in the field through continuing education courses.
- Performed inventory control activities including restocking shelves with new items and removing outdated ones.
- Checked for expired medicines regularly and removed them from shelves.
- Telephoned appointment-holders on day before to confirm times, contacted no-shows, obtained insurance pre-authorization and notified patients upon eyewear availability.
- Processed transactions and managed customer accounts efficiently.
- Responded promptly to customer inquiries regarding product availability or delivery times.
- Processed orders accurately according to company policies and procedures.
- Reconciled daily sales transactions against cash register receipts at the end of each shift.
- Wrote up detailed work orders specifying parameters for lenses and frames.
- Supervised and contributed to training student opticians.
- Repaired and adjusted frames to meet customer needs.
- Heated, shaped, or bent metal or plastic frames to fit eyeglasses to client.
- Reviewed refill medication drops periodically to ensure that they are up-to-date with current regulations.
- Provided customer service by answering phone calls regarding refill requests, orders and other inquiries.
Manager
OPSM
Valley View, South Australia
10.2007 - 01.2013
- Led team to ensure exceptional customer service experience.
- Managed daily operations of optical retail store.
- Oversaw inventory management and product merchandising strategies.
- Implemented marketing initiatives to increase store visibility.
- Enforced customer service standards and resolved customer problems to uphold quality service.
- Coached, mentored and trained team members in order to improve their job performance.
- Provided leadership during times of organizational change or crisis situations.
- Recruited and hired qualified candidates to fill open positions.
- Analyzed customer feedback data to develop action plans for improving services offered.
- Resolved conflicts between employees by providing guidance on company policies and procedures.
- Monitored budgets and expenditures to ensure cost-effectiveness while maintaining quality standards.
- Resolved customer complaints and issues promptly, maintaining a positive brand image.
- Conducted performance evaluations, providing feedback and coaching for team development.
- Led a team of 4 employees, ensuring high productivity and excellent customer service.
Assistant Manager
OPSM
West Lakes, South Australia
05.2005 - 10.2007
- Assisted in managing daily store operations to ensure smooth functioning.
- Trained and mentored staff on customer service best practices.
- Coordinated inventory management to maintain optimal stock levels.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends and improve product offerings.
- Developed visual merchandising strategies to enhance product display.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints with professionalism and efficiency.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations and company policies.
- Coordinated with other departments to ensure smooth flow of operations.
- Established processes for monitoring customer satisfaction levels.
- Maintained accurate records of sales transactions using point-of-sale systems.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Recruited and trained new employees to meet job requirements.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
Optical Dispenser
Laubman & Pank
Adelaide, SA
02.2003 - 04.2005
- Assisted customers with frame selection and fitting for optimal comfort.
- Assisted patients in selecting eyeglasses frames according to their facial features, style preferences and budget.
- Provided detailed product knowledge on lenses and coatings to customers.
- Educated customers on the various lens options available and recommended appropriate lenses based on individual needs.
- Conducted eyewear adjustments to ensure proper alignment and fit.
- Dispensed contact lenses per doctor's specifications while demonstrating proper insertion techniques to patients.
- Inspected finished lenses for defects before delivering them to customers.
- Inspected finished eyeglasses to conform to company's quality check process and verified proper fit to customer satisfaction.
- Managed inventory of frames and lenses to maintain stock levels.
- Processed customer orders using point-of-sale systems efficiently.
- Verified accuracy of orders prior to delivery to ensure customer satisfaction.
- Performed minor repairs to eyeglasses such as tightening screws, replacing nose pads or temple tips.
- Educated clients on proper eyewear care and maintenance techniques.
- Demonstrated a high level of customer service by providing expert guidance throughout the selection process.
- Collaborated with optometrists to fulfill prescriptions accurately.
- Provided technical advice related to optical products including sunglasses, safety glasses and other vision care items.
- Kept up-to-date with latest trends in eyewear fashion through continuing education courses and industry events.
- Ordered contact lenses from suppliers using patient prescription information.
- Managed daily operations including opening and closing procedures and ensuring store cleanliness.
- Scheduled appointments, verified insurance coverage, maintained accurate patient records and assisted with preliminary testing.
Optical Technician
Laubman & Pank
Adelaide, SA
08.2001 - 02.2003
- Operated optical equipment to ensure precise measurements and specifications.
- Conducted quality checks on finished products for defects and accuracy.
- Tested lenses for aberrations, distortions, and other defects using specialized equipment.
- Adjusted lenses to meet specifications using tools such as micrometers, calipers, and gauges.
- Read new patient glasses prescriptions with lensometer and noted results for quality control.
- Analyzed customer prescriptions and determined appropriate lens parameters for fabrication.
- Fabricated optical lenses for customer orders.
- Operated a variety of machines used in the production of lenses such as edgers, polishers, bevelers, groovers.
- Monitored quality control standards throughout the manufacturing process.
- Assembled optical components into finished products with accuracy and precision.
- Improved fit of patients' glasses and completed basic repairs covered by office warranty.
- Inspected ophthalmic frames for proper alignment and fit.
- Repaired eyeglasses frames by soldering broken joints or replacing missing screws.
- Assisted with visual field testing, ocular photography, optical coherence tomography and pre-exam data collection.
- Educated patients on contact lens care, insertion, removal, and hygiene practices.
- Provided visual field testing to evaluate peripheral vision and detect abnormalities.
- Facilitated the ordering and dispensing of eyeglasses and contact lenses, ensuring timely delivery to patients.
- Calibrated and maintained optometric equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability of test results.
- Performed routine maintenance and calibration of optical instruments.
- Ensured that all safety protocols were followed while operating machinery.
- Trained junior technicians on proper techniques and equipment usage.
- Participated in community outreach programs to promote eye health and preventive care.
- Cleaned workspaces and equipment to maintain safety and hygiene standards. and performed minor maintenance on manufacturing equipment.
Education
Certificate 4 - Optical Dispensing
RMIT University
Melbourne, VIC11-2010
Skills
- Eyewear dispensing
- Prescription verification
- Optical measurement
- Frame fitting
- Adjusting eyewear
- Progressive lenses expertise
- Optical equipment operation
- Insurance claims processing
- Inventory management
- Repairing glasses
- Customer service
- Customer relationship management
- Conflict resolution
Affiliations
- Karate Instructor, GKR Karate, Golden Grove & Dernancourt (Oct 2017 - Sep 2023)
- Training Manager, Fast Cats Racing & Modbury High School Peddle Prix (June 2023 - Present)
Timeline
Senior Dispenser
Laubman & Pank
01.2013 - Current
Manager
OPSM
10.2007 - 01.2013
Assistant Manager
OPSM
05.2005 - 10.2007
Optical Dispenser
Laubman & Pank
02.2003 - 04.2005
Optical Technician
Laubman & Pank
08.2001 - 02.2003
Certificate 4 - Optical Dispensing
RMIT University