Executive Assistant

Karina Z. Valkova

phone: +359-***-***-***; e-mail: ********@****.***

EDUCATION

Executive MBA Graduation date: May 2021

American University in Bulgaria

Bachelor of Science: International Business, Minor in Management Graduation date: May 2016

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

EXPERIENCE

Office Manager & SCE HUB Executive Assistant- Mondelēz International, Sofia, Bulgaria (June 2019 – Current)

Lead the South-Central Europe HUB’s implementation of new/upgraded global services and solutions

Provide high-quality, timely, and professional service to colleagues (blue-collar employees & line managers) in responding to queries, advising on policies and procedures, while managing the Mondelez administration processes.

Organize and facilitate various teambuildings, company days, conference events, business trips and visits of foreign employees to Bulgaria (reservations, presentations, and organizational support for up to 840 employees).

Oversee, appraise performance, and provide feedback to the administration department (efficient team of 9).

Educate and support direct reports concerning car fleet and facility management. As needed, coordinate with leadership team and employees to correct errors, and initiate corrective actions.

Facilitate trainings for office and field employees on Mondelez policies and ‘Perfect Store” sales standards.

Lead and implement Team Effectiveness and New Leader Assimilation sessions to ensure leaders build compelling team vision & purpose, ways of working, governance and onboarding.

Plan office/facility/car and engagement budgets in the SCE HUB (>9.2 million $)

Compare / negotiate rates for the car fleet of 391 cars in the ten countries (EAM, BG, RO).

Present analysis/proposals of various projects to the HUB leadership team, for implementation across countries.

Office Coordinator & MD Assistant- Mondelēz International, Sofia, Bulgaria (November 2017 –June 2019)

Worked in an ambiguous environment and stringent timelines to deliver results with minimal supervision.

Set up effective relationships with upper management to build and improve company culture and teamwork.

Educated and supported employees in using self-service systems / contacting the correct service center depending on the nature of the query (company credit cards, expense reporting, time-off requests, IT tickets, business trips).

Provided direct support on procedures that are local to the plant and local office, such as updating employee information and email distribution lists.

Communicated needed facility changes and updates to the country leadership team.

Maintained the Managing Directors’ calendar (scheduling and organizing meetings and events).

Organized employee events (office meetings, Christmas parties & team-buildings).

Optimized the yearly office budget (facility management).

Ordered needed materials (from different departments) through the COUPA system.

Provided reports on facility management and car fleet to HUB & global level management.

Ensured new hires are welcomed on day one and are taken through the elements of induction.

Administered apprentice/internship program and monitor trainees’ progress.

Communicated guidelines, changes, and news to employees, working closely with HR, Legal and CGA departments.

Management Trainee - Mondelēz International, Sofia, Bulgaria (September 2016- November 2017)

Received training and gained perspective in several departments (Finance, Marketing, Sales and CS&L).

Learned financial goals of the organization through supervising and studying financial performance.

Reported market activity to management by monitoring and analyzing competitive price lists and products.

Managed work plans within established budgets with purpose to attain optimal store coverage.

Ensured that a team of merchandisers met timing, revenue, volume, growth profit, productivity and quality goals defined in the project brief and category priorities.

Initiated a ‘SWAT” team, responsible for office activities and maintained an engagement activity calendar.

Analyzed trends and recommended proactive or remedial action to manage business situations.

Participated with management in interviewing, hiring, and training employees. Created an onboarding booklet.

Used company reports to analyze sales, gross profit and inventory activity (P&L).

Achieved an “excellent” score in all areas of the “management training” program.

HR Operations Lead - Golden Wolf INC, Colorado Springs, CO (August 2015- June 2019)

Established and maintained clear, responsive, and accessible HR systems (e.g. employee relations, recruitment/retention, benefits management, payroll, orientation)

Served as a liaison between company and employees by handling questions, interpreting, and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems.

Served as primary point person for benefits management issues and needs including managing benefits, evaluating cost-effectiveness of benefits, proactively developing resources such as quick guides for benefits and processes; and developing and conducting periodic trainings on policies and procedures.

Managed recruitment efforts, including writing job postings, advertising open positions, reviewing resumes, and conducting interviews, references and background checks, and drafting offer letters.

Retail Showroom Sales/ Event Staff Associate - Champion Windows (August 2013- May 2016)

Ensured customer satisfaction by giving them my undivided attention, thus making it a personal experience.

Answered the phone and the clients’ questions and concerns in courteous manner.

Maintained a positive and clean environment to ensure a pleasurable and memorable experience.

Provided excellent customer service by knowing the inventory and being able to ask probing questions to make recommendations on the merchandise the customers might be interested in buying.

Maintained a relationship with the customers to make them feel comfortable enough to ask questions to make suitable recommendations.

Helped resolve customer service issues in a polite and timely manner.

Provided added value and up sold customers by offering additional services.

Maintained accurate inventory in the system and made monthly inspections.

Business Development Expert - Pikes Peak SEO (May 2012 - July 2013)

Developed own sales pipeline to promote the benefits of digital marketing and convert new business.

Contacted new prospective clients to establish a positive rapport and convert into new opportunities.

Created proposals, presented to clients, and closed deals.

Promoted the digital marketing capabilities of the agency, suggesting areas of improvement and maximizing sales.

Handling enquiries and looking after established clients, ensuring repeat business, and up selling opportunities.

Attending client meetings when required.

Housekeeping Attendant (Part-time) – The Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs (November 2009 - May 2012)

Responsible for nightly ‘turn down” duties and maintenance of all the Forbes and AAA standards of the hotel of up to forty guest rooms a night.

Interacted with guests by meeting the 16 Service Standards set by the hotel.

Removed bedspreads, folded, and placed on closet shelf/luggage rack/bench and turned down beds.

Organized guest shoes, clothes, newspapers, etc., removed bathroom linen and replaced with clean.

Replenished bathroom supplies as necessary, while cleaning sink, bathtub, toilet, and floor

Reported maintenance problems to housekeeping office.

Changed bed linens as necessary and stocked work cart at end of shift

LANGUAGES

Bulgarian - Native / Bilingual Proficiency

English - Native / Bilingual Proficiency

Spanish - Professional Working Proficiency

ADDITIONAL SKILLS & AWARDS

Recipient of “Values in Action” award in 2018 & 2019

Qualified Company Trainer at Mondelēz International: “Team Effectiveness”; “GROW coaching”; “Leadership Skills”

Best in class, “Negotiations certification” - AUBG

Growth/ Agile mindset change champion.

Outstanding conflict management.

Assertiveness and professional maturity in dealing with senior stakeholders and external partners

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Excellent with Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Proficient with SAP, COUPA, CONCUR, SuccessFactors, WorkDay, ReadSoft & Microsoft Power BI

OBJECTIVE: An organized, creative, pro-active and highly energetic individual with a proven ability to build teams and problem solve, looking to utilize my managerial, people development and sales skills, to develop the company's processes to achieve measurable improvements, while providing guidance and support where needed.

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