Zina Aleksandrova
Parap,NT
Summary
Australian permanent resident with extensive experience in hospitality, retail, administration, people management, marketing, online sales and small business development.
Driven, ambitious, always looking to grow professionally and learn new skills and acquire new qualifications.
Not all work experience is listed with the intent to include only relevant information.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Retail Store Manager and Online Sales
The Salvation Army
08.2021 - 02.2024
- Lead, grew and developed a team of paid employees and volunteers in two stores Winnellie and Nightcliff;
- Ensured extraordinary customer service is provided every day, in every interaction;
- Embedded exceptional operational and visual merchandise standards as much as possible by sorting carefully and utilising the donated stock at hand;
- Role-modelled a 'safety first' culture in stores;
- Planned and managed the financial performance of the store;
- Actively worked towards building and supporting the volunteer workforce and engaging with the local community.
- Worked closely with social workers representing different charities, helped them find the basic necessities the community needs, processed vouchers and helped organise over the phone sales.
- Attended The National Strategy Meeting in Adelaide by the Salvation Army in order to be aware of the company's future goals;
- Resolved customer service issues promptly;
- Completed routine store inventories for purchased goods stock through the platform poscloud;
- Established and optimized schedules to keep coverage and service in line with forecasted demands.
- Answered questions about store policies and addressed customer concerns.
- Kept orderly and accurate accounting records by monitoring sales documentation.
- Regularly achieved financial monthly, quarterly and annual budget targets
- Completed online sales training in Adelaide for Ebay and learned how to use the platforms inkfrog and ebay in order to create and manage listings;
- Together with the area manager worked towards building an online NT hub with the goal to sell donations via ebay and the online salvos store by listing products for all Salvos stores in the NT from the base at Winnellie. Furnished and equipped the space, received the appropriate training and provided training to local employees on how to list items and ship them. Set up a regular pick up of parcels by Australia post. Monitored sales, created schedules and planner immediate and future financial goals for the online stores. Worked with other store managers to ensure enough stock is being sent for listing.
- Set up and run online sales for the Northern Territory stores via the Salvos online store platform. Trained all other online sales in the NT. Set up our own plan, budget and successfully achieved financial targets.
Bartender
Charlie's Of Darwin
07.2021 - 09.2023
- Charlie's is a fine dining restaurant, a bar and a gin distillery. As a part of the team I ensured that all drinks served are visually appealing and in line with the venue's high standards
- Entered local and international cocktail competitions and represented the venue
- Assisted servers with specialty drinks orders by preparing on-demand items without delay.
- Set up glassware, liquor and other necessary supplies for special events.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
- Managed bar inventory, restocked supplies and placed orders for spirits, beer, wines and mixers.
- Trained more than 10 new bartenders on drink preparation, product promotion, garnish preparation and sanitation protocol.
- Decreased waste, following strict recipes and drink measurement protocol.
- Developed new signature cocktails to support bar marketing brand and increase profits.
- Cleaned, closed and secured store at end of shift.
Hair and Beauty Advisor
Hairhouse Warehouse Casuarina
09.2020 - 06.2021
- Recommended appropriate products to meet customers' individual needs.
- Evaluated client needs and recommended treatments and strategy to achieve desired result, while maintaining hair health.
- Assessed customer hair texture, treatment history and desired outcome to identify appropriate services.
- Supported reception efficiency by taking phone calls, inputting appointments and collecting payments.
- Upsold additional products and services to increase sales numbers.
- Arranged merchandise to present visually appealing displays that drive sales.
- Monitored hairstyle trends to stay on top of fashions and better serve customer needs.
- Processed cash, card, zippay and afterpay payments.
- Counted cash in register drawer at beginning and end of shift.
- Received stock orders and entered them into the system.
- Processed click and collect orders from start to finish.
Bartender
The Precinct
11.2020 - 04.2021
- Assisted servers with specialty drinks orders by preparing on-demand items without delay.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Kept accurate inventories and notified management of ordering needs for liquor, beer, wine and bar supplies.
- Maintained secure cash drawers, promptly resolving discrepancies for accuracy.
- Polished glassware, bussed tables and removed debris to keep customer areas fresh and clean.
- Underwent KENO training at the Casino in order to safely and successfully serve customers and operate the KENO registers. Obtained RSG certificate in addition to the training.
Co-founder and Partner
FOX Book Café
02.2018 - 07.2020
- FOX Book Café is a bookshop café, gift store, bar, workshop and event venue for adults and kids and a book publishing house. Organized and hosted various activities and events such as workshops for babies and kids such as readings, music and arts and crafts, cultural events like art and photography exhibitions, live music (there's a grand piano on premises), theme nights such as ''sangria night'' book presentations, greet and meet events for autographs and readings with authors, charity markets or different causes and many others.
- Created and developed brand logo, name and identity. Actively participated in the entire process of finding a venue to rent, interior designing and carefully selecting the merchandise, hiring and training employees.
- Set up all social media accounts in order to grow brand awareness, developed and implemented marketing strategies, maintained activity to ensure followers growth and managed customer service online.
- Conducted target market research to scope out industry competition and identify advantageous trends.
- Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
- Coordinated customer service workshops to educate team members on best practices to optimize productivity. Organized barista training workshops.
- Supervised creation of exciting merchandise displays to catch attention of store customers.
- Studied latest trends to add new merchandise to product lineup, improving sales revenues.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Supervised 6 employees, overseeing efficiency of customer service, maintaining hygiene and a great display of merchandise, their ability to interact with clients and to offer recommendations and advice on products and services. After monitoring and assessing their weaknesses and strengths delegated tasks accordingly in order to increase productivity and improve employee's morale and performance.
- Events organisation and management.
- Partnered with local artists on consignment basis.
- Social media marketing and management.
- Editor of illustrations on books we published. Worked with local authors and illustrators.
- Represented the publishing house on festivals and markets.
- Developed stable relationships with reputable suppliers and established mutually beneficial long term partnerships.
Bar Manager
Art Hostel Sofia
10.2014 - 07.2016
- Kept alcoholic beverages well-stocked and organized to meet expected demands.
- Took customer orders and capitalized on opportunities to sell special beverage options.
- Developed unique events such as live music and art and photography exhibitions and themed music nights.
- Managed bar inventory, restocked supplies and placed orders for spirits, beer, wines and mixers.
- Followed all safety requirements for alcohol service and maintained network of available ride services for inebriated customers.
- Enhanced business productivity by training 5 team members on best practices and protocols.
- Checked ID cards and verified bar guests were of legal age.
- Enhanced financial controls to minimize theft and loss risks, continuously maintaining accurate accounts and cash drawers.
- Polished glassware, bussed tables and removed debris to keep customer areas fresh and clean.
- Poured and prepared mixed drinks for over hundreds of customers daily and created new libations drawing in clientele.
- Kept facility compliant with health codes, sanitation requirements and license regulations, alleviating potentially heavy fines.
Clothing Sales Associate
CALLIOPE, Which Belongs To Italian Clothing Brand TERRANOVA
06.2009 - 12.2009
- Set up dressing rooms as customers shopped to increase number of selections and make experience more enjoyable.
- Dressed and accessorized mannequins to highlight featured clothing and accessories.
- Delivered prompt, friendly service to customers.
- Helped customers select attractive, figure-flattering clothing items.
- Pressed and folded items upon arrival in store to increase visual appeal.
- Wore smart outfits composed of items from current collection to showcase possible pairings for customers.
- Listened to customer needs and desires to identify and recommend optimal products.
- Assisted customers with locating and choosing merchandise in any store department.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Sofia University ''St Kliment Ohridski''
Sofia, BulgariaNo Degree - Tertiary Enabling Program
Charles Darwin University
Casuarina, NT02.2025
Certificate IV - Entrepreneurship And New Business
My Pathway
Online01.2025
Skills
- Business requirements understanding, implementing new and foundational operations and procedures
- Creative problem solver
- Networking, partnering and relationship building
- Training, mentoring and development
- Verbal and written communication
- Customer focused
- Responsible Alcohol Service
- Online sales experience
- Remote work experience
- Events management experience
- Hospitality experience
- Retail experience
Certification
RSA certificate
RSG certificate
Working with children clearance
NT Driving Licence
Art therapy certificate
Timeline
Retail Store Manager and Online Sales
The Salvation Army
08.2021 - 02.2024
Bartender
Charlie's Of Darwin
07.2021 - 09.2023
Bartender
The Precinct
11.2020 - 04.2021
Hair and Beauty Advisor
Hairhouse Warehouse Casuarina
09.2020 - 06.2021
Co-founder and Partner
FOX Book Café
02.2018 - 07.2020
Bar Manager
Art Hostel Sofia
10.2014 - 07.2016
Clothing Sales Associate
CALLIOPE, Which Belongs To Italian Clothing Brand TERRANOVA
06.2009 - 12.2009
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Sofia University ''St Kliment Ohridski''
No Degree - Tertiary Enabling Program
Charles Darwin University
Certificate IV - Entrepreneurship And New Business
My Pathway
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