Merna Abraham
Sydney,NSW
Summary
Experienced purchasing professional with exceptional leadership, program management and planning abilities. I obtain excellent verbal and written communication skills, paired with an organised nature and advanced problem-solving persona. I believe I am an insightful manager with experience in directing and improving operations through effective employee motivational strategies and strong policy enforcement. I am proficient in current market trends and regulatory requirements of industry operations. I am a talented leader with an analytical approach to business planning and day-to-day problem-solving.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Disability Support Worker
Self-employed - Contractor
01.2021 - Current
- Manage caseload to satisfy various clients with diverse needs
- Deliver exceptional personal care services, including bathing, dressing, grooming, and feeding assistance
- Co-ordinate transportation arrangements for clients to attend medical appointments or partake in social activities safely
- Provide high level of physical support by lifting, adjusting, and moving clients
- Support clients in maintaining a clean living space by assisting with household tasks such as laundry, meal preparation, and general tidying
- Transport clients via wheelchair to and from rehabilitation and daily activities
- Check medication schedules and patient needs to enforce medication administration standards team-wide
- Assist clients in reaching personal goals through targeted skill-building activities and therapeutic interventions.
- Monitor client vital signs, administer medications, and track behaviours to keep healthcare supervisor well-informed
- Maintain detailed daily logs with care actions, client behaviours, and incidents
- Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the disability support field
- Manage accurate records for client files and related paperwork
- Provide crisis intervention services to clients facing medical, emotional and mental health challenges
- Implement behaviour management techniques when required for the safety of both clients and staff members involved
- Provide emotional support to clients during challenging times, fostering resilience and coping skills
- Communicate regularly with family members about client progress, addressing any concerns or questions promptly
- Work closely with allied health professionals, other specialists as well as family members to implement prescribed interventions and treatment plans
- Develop strong interpersonal relationships with clients, earning their trust and respect through consistent empathy and understanding.
Purchasing Manager /Office Assistant
MTI STONE Pty Ltd
10.2013 - Current
- Establish and maintain accurate records of purchases, pricing and payment terms.
- Assess areas of service concern and develop improvement plans.
- Purchase new products and oversee inventory stocking and availability.
- Monitor inventory levels and avoid shortages with timely replenishment of stock.
- Perform monthly reconciliation of open purchasing orders.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to create timely and accurate purchase orders.
- Research and evaluate potential suppliers to determine best fits for company needs and to identify cost savings opportunities.
- Negotiate pricing and terms with vendors to secure best value for company.
- Review and approve purchase orders and invoices for accuracy and completeness.
- Cultivate strong relationships with vendors to maintain and improve levels of customer service.
- Co-ordinate paperwork, update spreadsheets, and maintain permanent records.
- Data entry, analysis and reporting.
- Apply effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines.
- Answer and manage incoming and outgoing calls while recording accurate messages for distribution to office staff.
- Purchase and maintain office supplies.
Disability Support Worker
SAAR Success Pty Ltd
02.2019 - 10.2021
- Provided high level of physical support by lifting, adjusting, and moving the client
- Prepared nutritious meals to meet individual dietary needs for clients.
- Provided assistance in daily living activities by dressing, grooming, bathing, and toileting
- Cleaned house, ran errands, managed laundry, and completed weekly grocery shopping.
- Worked with medical teams as well as family members to implement effective treatment plans.
- Managed medications effectively for the client under strict supervision from healthcare professionals, ensuring adherence to prescribed treatment plans.
- Transported the client via wheelchair to and from rehabilitation programs, social activities, appointments and daily activities.
- Communicated regularly with family members about the client's progress, addressing any concerns or questions promptly.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
Retail Department Manager
MYER
01.2012 - 10.2013
- Assisted customers with locating products, placing orders / holds / lay-buys, processing sale transactions as well as returns and refunds
- Maintained a visually appealing department layout that effectively showcased products and enticed customers to make purchases.
- Increased customer satisfaction by providing exceptional service and addressing customer concerns promptly.
- Enhanced sales performance with effective staff training and development programs, focusing on product knowledge and upselling techniques.
- Collaborated with other department managers to develop cross-functional promotions that drove store-wide sales growth.
- Implemented quality assurance practices
- Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximise productivity and profitability.
- Improved stock management processes by implementing regular stocktake to minimise discrepancies between physical inventory counts and recorded data.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
Market Stall Holder
Self Employed
03.2000 - 01.2012
- Setting up as well as dismantling market stalls and stands
- Effectively merchandising and displaying goods for sale
- Transporting, storing, loading and unloading goods for sale
- Determined product mix, stock and price levels for goods to be sold
- Buying a regular supply of goods to be sold from wholesale suppliers
- Keeping accounts and maintaining a record of stock levels
- Assisting customers with product enquiries as well as effectively marketing products to boost sales
- Monitored cash drawers in multiple checkout stations and maintained adequate cash supply.
- Resolved customer complaints with empathy, resulting in increased loyalty and repeat business.
Beauty Therapist
Self-Employed
04.1997 - 02.2000
- Enhanced client satisfaction by providing personalised beauty consultations and recommending suitable treatments
- Utilised advanced techniques in hair removal, including waxing
- Maintained and decorated toe nails and fingernails by undertaking manicures, pedicures, application of artificial nails and extensions, removing dead ski and providing light foot massage
- Maintained regular client list and successfully handled walk-in customers.
- Boosted salon revenue by upselling additional services and retail products during appointments.
- Maintained a clean, hygienic work environment to ensure client safety and comfort throughout treatments.
- Booked appointments, answered telephone enquiries, greeted clients as well as handled payments.
Retail Store Manager
STRAND BAGS Pty Ltd
02.1996 - 02.1997
- Reconciled daily sales transactions to balance and log day-to-day revenue.
- Coached employees and trained on methods for handling various aspects of sales, complicated issues, and difficult customers.
- Trained team members in successful strategies to meet operational and sales targets.
- Continuously assessed store layout to optimize product placement for enhanced visibility and impulse purchases from customers.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Reduced shrinkage levels by closely monitoring security measures, conducting staff training, and implementing loss prevention initiatives.
- Managed all aspects of budgeting for the retail location including labor costs, expenses control, revenue tracking.
- Reduced financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying billing invoices and expense reports.
- Ensured compliance with company policies and local regulations regarding safety standards, licensing requirements, staff conduct in-store procedures.
- Submitted orders for new inventory.
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Approved regular payroll submissions for employees.
- Used critical thinking to de-escalate customer disputes as well as evaluate solutions and make decisions
- Oversaw employee performance, corrected problems, and increased efficiency to maintain productivity targets.
Store Manager /Store Manager Trainer
Go-Lo Discount Variety Store Pty Ltd
07.1990 - 01.1996
- Managed daily operations to ensure smooth functioning of the store, maintaining a clean, safe environment for customers and employees.
- Developed and implemented successful staff incentive programs to motivate employees.
- Reduced operational risks while organising data to forecast performance trends.
- Promoted team collaboration, performance, and efficiency by fostering healthy environments focused on mutual success.
- Assisted with hiring, training and mentoring new staff members.
- Collaborated with other managers to develop company-wide initiatives aimed at improving overall performance across all locations.
- Addressed customer complaints promptly and professionally, resolving issues to maintain positive relationships with clientele.
- Reduced financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying billing invoices and expense reports.
- Maximised sales and minimised shrinkage through excellent customer service and adherence to standard practices.
- Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
- Conducted regular performance reviews for staff members, providing constructive feedback and opportunities for growth.
- Approved regular payroll submissions for employees.
- Facilitated and conducted all aspects of store stocktakes.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
- Developed staff rosters, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Assisted with hiring and training new store managers.
Education
Diploma Of Beauty Therapy
Tafe NSW
Granville, NSW01.1997
Skills
- Quality assurance standards
- Strategic Planning
- Pricing Structures
- Account Management
- Material Requirement Planning
- Inventory Coordination
- Financial Administration
- Materials Management
- Strategic Sourcing
- Social skills
- Workspace Organization
- Networking with staff
- Emotional Support
- Respite Care
- Daily living assistance
- Computer Skills
Timeline
Disability Support Worker
Self-employed - Contractor
01.2021 - Current
Disability Support Worker
SAAR Success Pty Ltd
02.2019 - 10.2021
Purchasing Manager /Office Assistant
MTI STONE Pty Ltd
10.2013 - Current
Retail Department Manager
MYER
01.2012 - 10.2013
Market Stall Holder
Self Employed
03.2000 - 01.2012
Beauty Therapist
Self-Employed
04.1997 - 02.2000
Retail Store Manager
STRAND BAGS Pty Ltd
02.1996 - 02.1997
Store Manager /Store Manager Trainer
Go-Lo Discount Variety Store Pty Ltd
07.1990 - 01.1996
Diploma Of Beauty Therapy
Tafe NSW
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