Izelle Scherman
Johannesburg
Summary
Professional with proven history of driving revenue and building strong client relationships. Experienced with identifying customer needs and providing tailored solutions. 22 years combined work experience in design, sales, planning and project management. I am a creative individual with a talent for thinking outside the box. Known for reliability, adaptability and focus. I graduated with a degree in BSc Interior Architecture from the University of Pretoria. I have also completed BCom Marketing Management modules focusing on functional areas such as public relations and consumer behaviour. Equipped with strong problem-solving abilities. Exceptional creative, planning, coordination, research, administration and client liaison skills. I have strong talents in creating, writing and producing formal communication pieces.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
External Sales Representative and Account Manager
Loomcraft Fabrics
01.2023 - Current
- Operating as the lead point of contact for all matters specific to a client account
- Product presentations to clients, showcasing features and benefits effectively
- Building and maintaining customer relationships
- Negotiating sales and agreements to generate and maximise profits
- Develop new business and sales opportunities
- Ensure timely and successful delivery of products according to customer needs and objectives
- After sales service
- Acting as brand ambassador
- Sales related administration
- Representing the company at marketing events
- After-sales problem resolutions
Designer and Coordinator
Self-employed / Freelance
08.2018 - 12.2022
- Furniture and residential interior paint and décor refurbishment
- Design, styling and coordination of events from inception to completion
- Client consultations, meetings and site visits
- Compilation of quotations, invoices and contracts
- Coordination of Sub-Contractors
- Set-up of function décor and flowers on the day
- Compilation of Order of Event Programmes
- Quality control of finished set-up
E-commerce Sales Executive
Shimansky Head Office
01.2017 - 03.2017
- Delivering an exceptional luxury buying experience as well as superior customer service according to company standards to high-end clientele via online enquiries - mostly to international clients
- Educating clients on product specifications
- Closing of sales
- Quotation and invoice administration
- Liaising with accounts department in order to ensure the correct payment amounts are secured and captured from foreign exchange
- Dealing with any customer queries and after sales service in terms of maintenance of merchandise
Internal Sales Executive and Brand Ambassador
Shimansky
08.2014 - 05.2015
- Delivering an exceptional buying experience as well as customer service according to company standards
- Ensuring promotional materials are presented in accordance with corporate merchandising plans
- Responsible for overall administration and filing
- Completion of monthly stock counts
- Responsible for end-of-day cash-up
- One-on-one formal client consultations, educating clients on merchandise specifications while delivering the full luxury brand experience
- Closing of sales
- Quotation and invoice administration
- Handling payment transactions, cash including foreign exchange, eft and card transactions
- Client relationship management and retention activities
Product Supplier
Self-Employed
01.2014 - 07.2014
- Started and managed and online e-commerce and organic market floral retail outlet
- Small Business Development including creation of business plan and website
- Internet marketing activities
- Procurement of the necessary wholesale suppliers
- Online enquiries and sales as well as delivery of merchandise
- Design and execution of creative pop-up stores
Regional Marketing Officer
Business Partners Limited
09.2013 - 12.2013
- Responsible for delivering the company’s marketing strategy, Inland East area as laid out by the Marketing Director :
- Managing marketing activities for 5 regional offices
- Events planning and coordination – budget control, responsible for payments of service providers, procurement of corporate gifts, invitation coordination, media maintenance, procurement of key-note speakers, venue allocation, coordination of order of events – ensuring a fluid run of activities, quality control, coordinate and manage staff involved with events, hosting events – performance of MC duties
- Report writing on marketing activities and conveying these to senior directors
- Attending weekly and monthly meetings with senior directors
- Corporate image control
- Client relationship management and retention
- Identification of new potential business opportunities
Residential Property Specialist
Engel & Völkers Real Estate International
01.2013 - 05.2013
- Canvassing geographical real estate areas – assessment, corporate promotion and data compilation
- Property acquisition – cold calling and preparation of marketing material
- Marketing of properties – client liaison between buyers and sellers
- Selling of properties – sales negotiations and offer to purchase contract administration
- After sales service – keep all relevant information systems up to date with regards to the selling and registration process
Event Designer, Planner and Coordinator
Papilio Designs
03.2004 - 06.2012
- Design, plan, coordinate and execution of events according to client’s technical and financial requirements from inception to completion, specialising mostly in weddings and had various South African celebrity clients
- Computer aided drawings of floor plans, computer editing of photos and graphic design of marketing material for national magazine publishing, updating and creating marketing material (printed adverts, social media), design and set-up of stands at expos – building reputation, recognition and loyalty in the marketplace
- Client consultations – discuss and advise all aspects pertaining to the function
- Administration and communication – recording clients’ details and requirements onto an info sheet, establishing and maintaining mutual communication and understanding with clients, receiving and recording client approvals, compiling and filing of all information specific to a client/function, design and décor trend and event related research, booking of events at venues, compiling and forwarding quotes, invoices and reconciliations, procurement of service providers, communicate information and details to other service providers involved in the event, attend follow-up meetings with service providers and clients, prepare function sheets/programs to coordinate order of events at functions, set-up of sample/mock-up tables for clients
- Management, styling and set-up of décor at functions
- Coordination of the event on the day – ensuring a fluid run of activities
- National Winner : African Bridal Industry Awards 2009 - 2012
Interior Architectural Designer and Project Design Coordinator
Self-employed
07.2007 - 04.2009
- Residential interior architectural design from concept sketches to completion (concept proposals and final presentations, compiling working drawings and detail specifications)
- Procurement and appointment of contractors
- Coordination – design detail realisation, progress meetings with builders and contractors, query resolution, budget allowance control, quality control, snag lists, project status reports for clients
Education
BCom - Marketing Management
UNISA
BSc - Interior Architecture
University of Pretoria
Revit Computer Aided Drawing - undefined
CAD Drawing Institute - Marlboro
Grade 12 -
High School
Johannesburg, South AfricaSkills
- Project coordination, Creativity, Customer Liaison, Sales, Organising, Presentations, Conceptual, Interpersonal, Research, Analytical, Administration, Reasoning, Ability to work under pressure
- Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
- Adobe Photoshop
- Autodesk Revit
References
References available on request
AWARDS / ACHIEVEMENTS
2022 Project chosen for annual magazine publication – Media 24 Tuis Tydskrif Verf Dit / Home Magazine Paint It, 2021 Media 24 Tuis/Home Magazine and Tjhoko Paint Champs Competition : South African National Category Winner - Furniture Renovation Project, 2009 - 2012 African Bridal Industry Awards : National Design and Décor Winner, 2003 University of Pretoria / Built Environment Department : 2nd Year Best Design Student, 1997 Best overall Academic Pupil – Dux Award, 1996 - 2000 Top Ten Academics
Timeline
External Sales Representative and Account Manager
Loomcraft Fabrics
01.2023 - Current
Designer and Coordinator
Self-employed / Freelance
08.2018 - 12.2022
E-commerce Sales Executive
Shimansky Head Office
01.2017 - 03.2017
Internal Sales Executive and Brand Ambassador
Shimansky
08.2014 - 05.2015
Product Supplier
Self-Employed
01.2014 - 07.2014
Regional Marketing Officer
Business Partners Limited
09.2013 - 12.2013
Residential Property Specialist
Engel & Völkers Real Estate International
01.2013 - 05.2013
Interior Architectural Designer and Project Design Coordinator
Self-employed
07.2007 - 04.2009
Event Designer, Planner and Coordinator
Papilio Designs
03.2004 - 06.2012
BSc - Interior Architecture
University of Pretoria
Revit Computer Aided Drawing - undefined
CAD Drawing Institute - Marlboro
BCom - Marketing Management
UNISA
Grade 12 -
High School