Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Karen Finnen

Ballarat,VIC

Summary

Years of related experience in high level Administration, Fleet, Operations and more specificially Purchasing. Loved my time working in the manufacturing space and also equally love my time working in the not for profit space. I am very adaptable and enjoy problem solving and working towards continuous improvement opportunities. Competent negotiator and experienced at achieving win/win solutions retaining respect from vendors/stakeholders. At times, am a quiet achiever. Enjoy being valued as a team member/player. Have proven time management abilities and am able to multitask as evidenced by my broad range of experience.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience

Work History

Operations & Systems Officer

Conservation Volunteers Australia
Ballarat, VIC
1/1/2019 - 03.2024
  • My role within the Operations/Systems space is not a typical IT technical focus but rather to provide key insights around stakeholder experience, needs and expectations.
  • Regularly meet with stakeholders to collaborate and resolve problems.
  • Review program plans to develop and coordinate activities.
  • Multiple testing of planned functionality and assisting with new development work for continuous improvement

Operations & Fleet Coordinator

Conservation Volunteers Australia
Ballarat, VIC
1/1/2015 - 12.2018
  • Following a successful program win from the Federal Government, this meant a significant step up in our Fleet capabilities of over 200 vehicles
  • Corodinated delivery and return of vehicles in line with project start and end dates
  • Ensured servicing etc. was carried out and responded to incident reports offering recommended course of action
  • Managed all insurance claims
  • Worked closely with Toyota Fleet Management and developed strong partnership/support from them
  • The program wound up late 2018

Project Officer - Operations

Conservation Volunteers Australia
Ballarat, VIC
01.2005 - 12.2014
  • When first joining Conservation Volunteers Australia, worked for the Operations Manager to assist him in a backlog of national project reports which needed data capture and escalation where required
  • Moved from a manual system (excel) to an automated tailor built Operations database which was rolled out nationally and also to NZ
  • Assisted the Operations Manager in the transition and ongoing operational requirements
  • Also worked closely with Finance to assist the CEO to view operational performance by each office (x 23 at the time) with pre-determined Finance input
  • Worked for the Operations Director assisting in Exec Admin capacity - organising events, networking functions etc.
  • Worked in an Admin capacity for our Action for Climate Change program and determining relevant focus areas. We published an internal policy on measures to capture our own eco footprint.

Supply Officer/Manager

Altria Group (Philip Morris Australia)
Moorabbin, VIC
01.1985 - 12.2004
  • Conducted supply inventories and prepared related reports
  • Coordinated with vendors to ensure timely delivery of goods both international and national - total spend was $30 million
  • Sought new vendors as new product needs emerged
  • Kept inventory stock in line with Operational needs
  • Monitored fortnightly Production schedules and made adjustments as needed
  • Explored new products with cost effective outcomes
  • Maintained a 'total lowest cost' approach meaning that the cheapest price is not always appropriate
  • Maintained/strengthened supplier relationships
  • Processed requisitions for various types of supplies
  • Used SAP to monitor stock levels and relevant reorder points for each item
  • Negotiated with suppliers including pricing, payment terms etc.

Education

High School Diploma -

Campbelltown High School
Adelaide

Skills

  • Data Analytics
  • Effective Communication
  • Self Motivation
  • Relationship Building
  • Operational Reporting
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Continuous Improvement

Accomplishments

  • Won a President's Award at Philip Morris for significant cost savings to a new product line. My boss once said to me - "you'll never be thanked for keeping the stock on track but no-one will ever forget the one time you have a stock out". How true but thank goodness I never did!
  • Recognition and bonus for taking on the Fleet role and managing the most vehicles we ever had

Affiliations

  • Actively involved in the environment as evidenced by my workplace
  • Avid gardener and growing veggies
  • Cooking - love to cook
  • Walking with local residents
  • Love streaming when I'm in the mood

Timeline

Project Officer - Operations

Conservation Volunteers Australia
01.2005 - 12.2014

Supply Officer/Manager

Altria Group (Philip Morris Australia)
01.1985 - 12.2004

Operations & Systems Officer

Conservation Volunteers Australia
1/1/2019 - 03.2024

Operations & Fleet Coordinator

Conservation Volunteers Australia
1/1/2015 - 12.2018

High School Diploma -

Campbelltown High School

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Karen Finnen