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Hi, I’m
Benita Wilken-Gous
General Manager
Cape Town
Summary
Strategic & driven Manager with experience leading and overseeing teams from 2 companies (focused in the logistics & retail industries respectively) and its business activities. Strong history of devising precise and targeted business operations plans, managing costs, reviewing performance and driving change.
Forward-thinking leader with expertise in setting goals, quality standards and growth initiatives while leading quick and efficient attainment of objectives.
Dedicated to delivering positive customer experiences to promote loyalty and repeat business. Orchestrates optimal resource utilization to handle expected operational needs.
Determined general manager with success boosting productivity and streamlining procedures for organizations. Focused on smoothly overseeing financial, personnel and operational facets. Expertly balanced targets with resources and optimized long-term success.
Overview
9
years of professional experience
5
years of post-secondary education
2
Certifications
3
Languages
Work History
Rapple Products (Pty) LtdCape Town
General Manager
03.2022 - Current
Job overview
- Boosted productivity consolidating material planning & data collection.
- Reduced costs, managed delivery schedules to improve overall profitability.
- Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts and costs.
- Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations and contract details.
- Introduced new methods, practices and systems to reduce turnaround time.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Delivered business strategy and developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency.
- Provided thoughtful guidance to personnel in navigating and resolving snags in productivity.
- Evaluated suppliers to maintain cost controls and improve operations.
- Designed modern employee recognition program which boosted productivity and improved morale.
- Reduced process bottlenecks by training and coaching employees on practices, procedures and performance strategies.
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices and company procedures.
Rapple Products (Pty) LtdCape Town
Marketing Manager
05.2019 - 02.2022
Job overview
- Managing all marketing for the company and activities within the marketing department
- Developing the marketing strategy for the company in line with company objectives
- Co-ordinating marketing campaigns with sales activities
- Overseeing the company’s marketing budget
- Overseeing social media marketing strategy and content marketing
- Creation and publication of all marketing material in line with marketing plans
- Planning and implementing promotional campaigns
- Manage and improve lead generation campaigns, measuring results
- Overall responsibility for brand management and corporate identity
- Preparing online and print marketing campaigns
- Monitor and report on effectiveness of marketing communications
- Creating a wide range of different marketing materials
- Working closely with design agencies and assisting with new product launches
- Maintain effective internal communications to ensure that all relevant company functions are kept informed of marketing objectives
- Analysing potential strategic partner relationships for company marketing
- Data Capturing & database maintenance
- Website maintenance and updates
- Organizing company conferences, trade shows, and major events.
- Boosted brand awareness and generated leads while managing internal and external marketing campaigns and programs.
- Recruited and hired capable team members to add value and diverse skills set to marketing department.
- Participated in promotional activities and trade shows, working with advertisers and production managers, to market products and services.
- Transformed corporate website and social media platforms to better engage customers and promote sales.
- Managed marketing budget and associated P&L to develop and execute marketing strategies, budgets and sales plans
- Managed workflow between staff, coordinating documents and creative material distribution.
- Maintained documentation, detailing assignments, in-progress work and completed project milestones.
Consumption BeveragesCape Town
Office & Systems Manager
09.2017 - 04.2019
Job overview
- Payroll Admin
- Accounting Admin
- Management of Internal Sales System back end
- General Reporting
- Database Creation & Management
- Oversee office & sales employees
- Assist in compiling company policies & procedures
- Oversee daily operations & functions
- Head meetings for MD (Ie
- With accountants, Sales System
- Service Providers, Team Meetings, strategy meetings, etc.)
- Coordinated and aligned corporate and office schedules and disseminated important work information to employees.
- Established workflow processes, monitored daily productivity and implemented modifications to improve overall performance of personnel.
- Maintained computer and physical filing systems.
- Communicated corporate objectives to various divisions to meet deadlines and adhere to company budgets.
- Coached new hires on company processes while managing employees to achieve maximum production.
- Developed standard operating procedures for all administrative employees.
- Delivered performance reviews, recommending additional training or advancements.
- Evaluated employee records and productivity and submitted evaluation reports.
- Prepared meeting rooms and materials and recorded important information.
- Updated reports, managed accounts and generated reports for company database.
Eskort LimitedCape Town
National Sales Administrator
11.2014 - 07.2017
Job overview
- Sales Admin
- General assistance to sales managers
- Data Capturing
- Database Management
- General office duties (Switchboard, sending & receiving parcels, stationary control, etc.)
- Basic HR Admin
- Price claims
- Deals & Deal Sheets
- Liaison with buyers & assistants
- Customer Complaints
- Quarterly Price Increase Admin
- Travel arrangements & appointments
- Monitored company inventory to keep stock levels and databases updated.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Participated in team-building activities to enhance working relationships.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Actively listened to customers, handled concerns quickly and escalated major issues to supervisor.
- Learned new skills and applied to daily tasks to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule.
Hermanus Golf ClubOverberg
Reception & Bookings Clerk
08.2013 - 10.2014
Job overview
- Switchboard Control
- Receiving & sending parcels
- Accepting, Issuing & Ordering Bar Stock
- Ordering & Issuing of stationary
- Invoicing club members on occasion
- ATM Control - Removing cash, loading cash and resolving related issues
- Speed point Services – Processing payments and resolving related issues
- Time sheet creation
- Bookings – Verbal, telephonic & system
- Website updates
- Assisting with Golf Days & Club Events
- Sales enquiries
- General assistance to club manager, financial manager, membership manager & advance bookings department
- Ad hoc filing & administration
- Greeted incoming visitors and customers professionally and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance.
- Corresponded with clients through email, telephone or postal mail.
- Managed multiple tasks and met time-sensitive deadlines.
- Answered central telephone system and directed calls accordingly.
- Confirmed appointments, communicated with clients and updated client records.
- Kept reception area clean and neat to give visitors positive first impression.
- Responded to inquiries from callers seeking information.
- Answered phone promptly and directed incoming calls to correct offices.
- Provided clerical support to company employees by copying, faxing and filing documents.
- Restocked supplies and submitted purchase orders to maintain stock levels.
- Scheduled and confirmed appointments and meetings for senior management team.
- Maintained confidentiality of information regarding clients and company.
- Checked-in visitors, distributed visitor badges and managed logbooks to comply with security initiatives.
- Provided callers with address, directions, company website and related information.
- Resolved customer problems and complaints.
- Answered large volume of incoming calls daily to resolve customer issues and schedule appointments.
- Sorted, received and distributed mail correspondence between departments and personnel.
Phakisa HoldingsEast Rand
Administration Clerk
01.2013 - 06.2013
Job overview
- Load employees onto VIP Payroll
- Filing & auditing of employee files
- Invoice checking
- Data capturing
- Addressing & responding to faxes and e-mails
- Answer telephones quickly and friendly
- Transferring calls to the correct divisions
- Assisting with employee confirmations
- Assist with any additional administrative duties
- Provided clerical support, addressing routine and special requirements.
- Handled incoming phone calls and answered questions from callers.
- Typed, formatted and edited professional correspondence.
Education
Northcliff House CollegeCape Town, South Africa
High School Diploma
01.2008 - 12.2012
University Overview
- Elected School Prefect
- Elected Student Town Council
- Subjects passed & completed: English Home Language, Afrikaans, Mathematical Literacy, Life Orientation, Business Studies, Tourism, Computer Application Technology
Skills
Administration
General operations oversight
Information processing
Schedule oversight
Staff Management & Recruitment
Interpersonal and written communication
Customer Communication
Fluent in English & Afrikaans
Natural leader
Employee Contract Management
Quality Management
Relationship building
Employee relations and conflict resolution
Customer satisfaction
Strategic planning
Distribution center management
File and database management
Analytical problem solver
Cost reduction strategies
Purchasing and procurement
Business Development
Organizational Development
Marketing & Design
Additional Information
- NQF Level 4 Senior Certificate (Documentation available upon request)
Certification
Sage Partner Intermediate Ver.12 (Accounting Software)
Software
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Powerpoint
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Publisher
Adobe Photoshop (Beginner)
Canva
Timeline
Junior Management Webinar
11-2022
General Manager
Rapple Products (Pty) Ltd
03.2022 - Current
Marketing Manager
Rapple Products (Pty) Ltd
05.2019 - 02.2022
Office & Systems Manager
Consumption Beverages
09.2017 - 04.2019
National Sales Administrator
Eskort Limited
11.2014 - 07.2017
Sage Partner Intermediate Ver.12 (Accounting Software)
08-2014
Reception & Bookings Clerk
Hermanus Golf Club
08.2013 - 10.2014
Administration Clerk
Phakisa Holdings
01.2013 - 06.2013
Northcliff House College
High School Diploma
01.2008 - 12.2012