Executive Assistant Personal

Discipline

Executive Assistant / Office Manager

Qualifications and awards

Senior Certificate – Dec 1993

National N3 Business Studies Certificate – Dec 1993

Microsoft Excel 2007 Intermediate Certificate

Meetings and Minute Taking Certificate – Feb 2007

Regional experience

South Africa – 27 years

Highlighted sector experience

Infrastructure sector

Imports and exports sector

Finance sector

Mining sector

Construction sector

Capability summary

With more than 25 years of executive level administration experience, I bring to any company excellent organizational skills, proactive attitude and multi-tasking in any fast-paced work environment. My experience ranges from executive assistant responsibilities to office management and staff management.

Capabilities:

Exceptional written and oral communication

Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain excellent long-term client relationships

Ability to interact with a variety of individuals in a courteous, professional manner

Proven capability to work well under pressure and within tight deadlines

Key competencies:

Leadership

Commercial Awareness

Decision Making

Adept in technology

Verbal and written communication

Time management

Resourcefulness

Responsibility

Anticipate needs

Detail oriented

Team player

Astute

Systems and tools capability:

Microsoft suite (competent)

Sage Accounting & Payroll (competent)

QuickBooks Accounting (competent)

Pastel Accounting (competent)

Infrastructure sector

1997 – 1999 – Weatherly’s Decorating Warehouse

Initially began at the Sales Reception Desk and was then promoted to the Customer Service Desk, dealing with walk in clients, sales and order placements. Following through with processing of orders, collecting payments and arranging deliveries.

Imports and export sector

2000 – 2005 – Omnilyne Africa

Logistics manager responsible for all exports to Africa. Duties included: Costing of imports upon arrival as well as handling all correspondence with international suppliers and also managing most office routines including debtor and creditor reconciliations.

Finance sector

2009 – 2011 – Quince Capital (t/a Nashua Finance)

Executive assistant to the Managing Director of Nashua Finance. Assisting team of 5 Executives with calendar management, scheduling meetings, minute taking, preparation and distribution of minutes. Assisting entire finance department (more than 40 staff members) with office supplies, maintenance and travel arrangements. This all over and above the personal assistance provided to the MD.

Mining sector

2012 – 2015 – Orica Africa

Executive assistant to the Vice President of Africa and his team of 7 Executives. After 6 months

promoted to Office Manager for Africa which combined with the assistant to the VP duties also

included travel for all staff in Africa as well as ensuring all board meetings were scheduled, minutes of meetings taken and distributed throughout the continent and internationally. Duties included new staff requisitions, security access control in excess of 400 staff members. Managed a

staff compliment of 8 employees including appraisal’s and disciplinaries. Management of building maintenance/alterations and furnishings. Stock management for canteen as well as stationary for more than 400 staff. Telecom’s management for all permanent staff in Africa. Cost management for all African staff travel.

Construction sector

1994 – 1996 – Danie Groenewald Builders

Warehouse assistant responsible for job cards and martial and tool requirements for the day. Promotion to personal assistant to the Managing Director and then further promotion to Payroll administrator.

2005 – 2009 – WBHO Construction

Executive assistant to the Finance Manager and then promoted to Executive assistant to the Finance Director of head office. Over and above the standard duties of an Executive assistant, responsibilities included: management of more than 3000 individual cell phone contracts for field and office staff. Managing the accounts and cost analysis. Petty cash management of all African denominations to values over 10,000 in each currency per project. Travel arrangements and meeting schedules including taking and distribution of all minutes.

2015 – Current – Corporate Partitioning Projects

50% shareholder and Administration Director of personally owned construction company. Duties include payroll, managing staff and project timelines, quotations and invoicing. Banking and accounting. Meeting with current and new prospect clients. Petty cash management. Calendar management for directors. Marketing. Asset management and costing as well as stock management. Company insurances and security.

Recommendations (click on blue for direct link to LinkedIn)

Bertus Korb

Manager: Structured Credit at Grobank

September 21, 2020, Bertus managed Daphne directly

It is my great pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Daphne Ihlenfeldt.

During my tenure as Managing Director of Quince Capital, Daphne was our Executive Assistant for two years between 2009 and 2011. She supported both me and the Executive Team. Her role included diary management, minute taking, travel and accommodation arrangements, office administration and supporting the Exco with communications, presentations, etc.

My most vivid memory of Daphne was her response to a question to her during her interview on the role of an Executive Assistant – “to be your wife at the office”. Uncomfortable as it may sound, she was exactly that. She did whatever was required to keep distractions away from me and allow me to focus on my work, whether it be arranging family get-togethers, buying presents for my wife, making sure that I am properly fed or taking my car in for a service. It goes without saying that her official duties were performed to an exceptional standard.

Daphne is well-spoken, well-presented and well-mannered. She commanded the respect of her colleagues through integrity, honesty, passion, trustworthiness, empathy, kindness and friendliness. She has always displayed the highest level of professionalism and ethics.

I therefore offer my recommendation of Daphne Ihlenfeldt without reservation. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sunil Muganpersad

Chief Operating Officer at Derma Science SA

September 21, 2020, Sunil was senior to Daphne but didn’t manage directly

Daphne, at the time at Orica was efficient with the high demands of the senior executive team. This involved managing multiple tasks such as international travel arrangements, office

management for the African team of approx. 90 employees and general secretarial work. She undertook a major project of managing the move of the head office from Randburg to Isando. This was done without major disruption. She is courteous, friendly, professional and works with a smile. A team player especially when getting the job done, involving multiple disciplines.

Charles Deacon

Senior Recruitment Partner at Robocore - Mining Recruitment

September 17, 2020, Charles was senior to Daphne but didn’t manage directly

I worked with Daphne at Orica. She was Executive assistant to the VP Africa and office manager. She also assisted other members of the management team - although not necessarily required to. I always found her helpful, obliging, knowledgeable and willing to help her colleagues. If I were in a position to employ her - I would, and would certainly endorse her to any future potential employers!

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