Customer Service Sales

Kathy Sweeney

Email: *********@********.***

Address: **** ***** ********* ****

City: Dunwoody

State: GA

Zip: 30338

Country: USA

Phone: 404-***-****

Skill Level: Management

Salary Range: $50,000

Primary Skills/Experience:

See Resume

Educational Background:

See Resume

Job History / Details:

Kathy Sweeney

5352 North Peachtree Road Cell: 404-***-****

Atlanta, GA 30338 *********@********.***

Brief Summary of Background:

I am a marketing communications professional with years of experience in all phases of communications production. I began my career as a print production coordinator for a major Atlanta communications group. After delivering superior results as a production manager for a national retailer, I returned to the supplier side of print in positions ranging from customer service and support to that of highly successful print sales executive. I held corporate marketing communications positions for two Fortune 50 companies and am well versed not only in production but also in fulfillment, direct mail, exhibits and large format displays management.

Employment History:

Crown Bolt February 2012-July 2012 Print Production Specialist

The headquarters had moved from Aliso Viejo, CA and I was hired to be the marketing print specialist here in Atlanta. I was responsible for creating new procedures and processes to make the purchase of print and display material for all of the Home Depot stores. Interviewing print vendors from digital, offset to large format that fit our print needs. Set the precedence for color on substrates from paper, board, to styrene for process to 16 different pms colors for 5 different vendors. I was responsible for all press approvals on the initial press runs and the work for 8 different marketing managers and their regions. Maintained their budgets and met their deliveries.

Williams Lea August 2011-October 2011 Senior Account Executive

Responsible for customer service and product delivery through constant liaison with clients, and suppliers on all matters relating to print and campaign management services for Cola Cola. Primary focus was to deliver exceptional customer service to the client. Requests for quotations to be processed in a responsive manner and clients updated regularly on the progress of their work. In conjunction with the central procurement team, would select the most appropriate supplier, negotiate costing and timescales for each job, manage benchmark information and ensure the internal procedures were followed at all times. Worked closely together with colleagues in supporting daily operations with regards to workflow and best practice.

SunTrust Banks, Inc. January 2010-April 2010 (Contractor) Communications Support/Print Production Filled in for the print production manager while she was on maternity leave. Acquired estimates from printers, worked with internal communications managers to ensure their projects were initiated, completed efficiently and economically. Reviewed proofs, attended press approvals, managed and followed up with fulfillment projects until final delivery.

Function Design May 2008-May 2009 (Full time contractor) Print Production Manager

Worked closely with creative team on all aspects of print and design for efficient production. Reported all advances and/or production issues at daily meetings to ensure delivery goals were met. Worked with multiple printers and display companies to create large format exhibit areas for national conventions.

GMAC Insurance (January 2007-June 2007 (Contractor) Print Production Specialist)

Oversaw production of direct mail campaigns including vendor selection and scheduling from inception to mail drop dates. Attended press checks and weekly production meetings and updated production and distribution schedules accordingly. Worked with internal creative department to determine the most economical process for producing difficult mailings in a timely manner. Continually edited extensive databases to ensure accurate mailings with few returns. Prepared cost analyses and managed print inventory.

United Parcel Service October 2006-January 2007 and December 1998-March 1999 (Contractor)

Solicited quotes, selected appropriate vendors and oversaw production of printed materials to conform to exceedingly strict corporate graphic standards. Attended all press checks with a keen eye on conformance. Reported progress at weekly production meetings and updated schedules accordingly. Coordinated color correction and retouching with graphic artists and specialty color houses for maximum impact and superb reproduction.

Print Direction, Inc. April 2004-October 2006 (Sales Executive)

Handled customer relations for sales of sheet-fed, silk screen and digital printing to self-developed client base consisting of several Fortune 50 companies. Managed relationships with clients from job estimation to on-time production and distribution within budgets. Frequently met with design firms to work out possible production issues prior to design and to establish realistic production timelines. Supervised internal production coordinator. Managed fulfillment for direct mail, in-store POP and other materials printed in house and by other printers. Oversaw all kit packing of client materials to ensure packages were appropriate for a wide variety of demographically diverse market segments.

Georgia-Pacific Corporation March 1999-April 2004 (Graphics Production Manager)

Managed all phases of print production including sales collateral, POP, direct mail, exhibits, trade show materials and ad specialties from conception, implementation and tracking to evaluation of ROI for eight communications managers. Negotiated competitive pricing on all jobs to maximize company investment. Ensured superior balance of price and quality by matching jobs with most suitable printers based on time, budget and desired quality. Served as an integral part of a companywide printer consolidation program. Produced educational Lunch-and-Learn programs and presented them quarterly to internal managers to further their education in printing processes. Worked closely with outside design firms to alleviate print production issues. Reported regularly to internal clients on cost savings achieved by ensuring the most economical imposition, appropriate paper selection and printing processes. Created efficient filing system for job information and samples to ensure an accurate history with immediate access using codes required on all printed materials. Traveled nationwide to various printing firms for press approvals. Assisted in preparing operating budgets.

Tucker Castleberry Printing Company June 1997-August 1998 (Sales Executive)

IPD Printing Company October 1993-April 1997 (Sales Executive)

Consulted with clients on all aspects of printing projects from design to end use and availability. Managed and supervised all aspects of production process with plant personnel to tightly control quality and ensure completion by deadlines. Consistently maintained the position within sales of first in profit and third in revenue. Facilitated production meetings for job status, alterations, job variances and customer issues.

Selected Accomplishments:

Negotiated multi-million-dollar paper purchasing contract for Georgia-Pacific Corporation.

Served on Georgia-Pacifics intra-company task fore to facilitate print vendor consolidation.

Regularly attended continuing education classes including:

Creative Pre-Publishing, Prepress Printing/Finishing, Fulfillment and Production Management

The Cost of Business Communication: A Look at the Business Document Lifecycle

The Science of Color Reproduction

Won Sales Executive of the Year honors following first year in print sales.

Keynote speaker at meeting of APPA (Atlanta Print Production Association).

Salary Requirements: Negotiable.

References: Attached.

CANDIDATE REFERENCE

For: Kathy Sweeney

Reference Name: Jennifer Tomaszewicz

Relationship to Applicant: Vendor

Company: BlueLinx Corporation

Phone No: 770-***-****

About how long did Kathy work for (with) you

5 years with me personally, 15 years with my corporation

Can you describe her duties and a typical day

Sold and managed print production to me and our corporation.

How would you rate the overall quality of her work compared to other co-workers

Superior.

What type of work ethic did she display

Extremely diligent and thorough. I always knew what she produced would be stellar in comparison to my competition and hers. She was always up to date on the latest trends and technology which I personally knew nothing about and this was very beneficial. She consistently exceeded my expectations. She is a very hard worker who has one speed, fast.

Can you give an example of a time when Kathy went above & beyond expectations

I was launching a new product line and Kathy was producing the 78 page catalog for the launch. Our Vice President decided he wanted to launch 1 month prior to the original deadline I had provided Kathy. When I told Kathy, (she looked at me with a smile on her face and her can do attitude) she said, Ill get it done. There were so many intricate details I did not have completed and I asked Kathy to fill in any missing information with her personal recommendations. Kathy worked both Saturday and Sunday until 4am to meet my deadline. The project was flawless and BlueLinx received 2 awards on the product line along with an article in ProSales magazine regarding the catalog and launch. This is just one example but I could name several. I was constantly recognized internally for work that Kathy had completed for me personally.

How would you rate her overall customer service

Bar none, the best customer service Ive receive from any print production manager and any other vendor Ive dealt with. Even at times when I didnt have any projects or printing in the pipeline, Kathy always took time to stop by to simply say hello and touch base. Kathy gets that relationships are key and took advantage of every opportunity to build this with me.

Would you consider her a team player (examples)

Yes

Can you describe a few of Kathys strong points

Kathy consistently met impossible deadlines. She is a delight to work with and I was able to meet unrealistic deadlines due to her. Shes very knowledgeable of the industry and has a knack for visual appearance and quality. She can literally close her eyes and tell you what type of paper you placed in her hand. She has a get it done attitude and consistently under promises and over delivers. She is a problem solver and its not only what shes good at, its part of her nature. I miss having her expertise, I was always proud to bring her into one of my supplier meetings and talk print. She was always very professional and made me look good.

Would you rehire (work with) her again

I would hire Kathy in a heartbeat. Any corporation would be privileged to have her on her team and I wish it could be ours.

CANDIDATE REFERENCE

For: Kathy Sweeney

Reference Name: Michelle Wagner

Relationship to Applicant: Business Associate

Company: Georgia-Pacific

NOTE: Michelle has recently married and moved to Washington State.

About how long did Kathy work for (with) you

Kathy and I worked together for 3 years in a Marketing Services department for the Building Products Division. My Marketing Communications roles required quite a bit of printing and Kathy handled all my printing for me.

Can you describe her duties and a typical day

When I worked with Kathy, she was responsible for project management, quality control, budget negotiation and logistics for all the printing projects of the entire Building Products division of Georgia-Pacific.

How would you rate the overall quality of her work compared to other co-workers

Kathy is a joy to work with and extremely capable.

What type of work ethic did she display

She is ethical with a strong sense of what is competitive.

Can you give an example of a time when Kathy went above & beyond expectations

I never had any issue with Kathy NOT delivering on expectation!

How would you rate her overall customer service

The role that Kathy had when I worked with her required her to have many stakeholders and she is thorough in her customer service and approval / review processes.

Would you consider her a team player (examples)

Sometimes you need a team member to take the ball and run with it that is what Kathy is really good at delivering.

Can you describe a few of Kathys strong points

At the risk of being redundant, Kathys strong points are her organizational skills, understanding of the unpredictable craft of offset printing and her relationship skills.

Would you rehire (work with) her again

Yes and I have as a vendor in the past.

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