Zoi Bantouna
Athens,I
Summary
Experienced Public Relations Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the internet industry. Skilled in Negotiation, Business Planning, Operations Management, Coaching, and Strategic Planning. Strong media and communication professional with a Bachelor's degree focused in Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions from ISTITUTO D'ISTRUZIONE VITTORIO ALFIERI ROMA. Hardworking and motivated Team Leader with 15 years of experience and record of success in optometry industry. Solid history balancing team performance, customer service targets and business objectives. Dedicated to working closely with employees to maximize productivity and optimize procedures. Decisive leader with good planning and organizational skills.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Director
Winstar Civil Pty Ltd
05.2022 - 03.2024
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
Manager
Bailey Nelson
07.2021 - 04.2022
- Performance Tracking and Evaluation Work Planning and Prioritization
- Trained employees on additional job positions to maintain coverage of roles
- Assigned tasks to associates to fit skill levels and maximize team performance
- Recruited and hired qualified candidates to fill open positions.
Chief Executive Officer
Citywide
04.2021 - 07.2021
- Oversaw budgetary and financial activities and implemented strategies to grow business and profits
- Led organization by establishing business direction and actualizing operational plans to meet goals
- Built high-energy, forward-thinking team to modernize legacy operations and keep organization agile in changing conditions
- Monitored company performance by measuring and analyzing results and minimizing impact of variances
- Drove company vision with collaborative employee engagement techniques and strategic leadership
- Established and oversaw strategic business actions and streamlined operations.
Optician
Specsavers
07.2019 - 03.2021
- Sold and recommended eyewear products, merchandise and services in retail and clinical settings in order to drive company revenue and meet customer needs
- Assisted patients and customers with choice of frames to best fit budgetary requirements and style preferences
- Collected customer measurements such as bridge, eye size, temple length, seg heights, vertex distance, pupillary distance and pantoscopic tilt
- Scheduled appointments, verified insurance coverage, maintained accurate patient records and assisted with preliminary testing
- Stocked and restocked merchandise, maintained inventory, cleaned and straightened displays and entire store and processed defective, spoiled and cannibalized frames
- Trained and mentored 50 new eyewear specialists and continued education to keep up with current technologies.
Optician
Vision Express
08.2016 - 04.2019
- Sold and recommended eyewear products, merchandise and services in retail and clinical settings in order to drive company revenue and meet customer needs
- Assisted patients and customers with choice of frames to best fit budgetary requirements and style preferences
- Scheduled appointments, verified insurance coverage, maintained accurate patient records and assisted with preliminary testing
- Investigated and resolved customer complaints and adjusted and repaired customer eyewear.
Director Of Public Relations
DPG Digital Media
12.2015 - 08.2016
- Built and maintained relationships with key consumer and trade media
- Strategized and implemented public relations and promotional programs to strengthen brand and support business goals
- Oversaw strategic event planning, executive presentation materials and visual presentations
- Managed crisis communications and emergency response strategies and implementation
- Directed internal communications efforts and fostered development of proactive and comprehensive communications programs between leadership team and employees
- Enhanced exposure opportunities and controlled large, strategic messaging programs
- Conferred with labor relations managers to develop internal communications to inform employees of company activities
- Created and optimized promotional publications and related materials.
Credit Controller Manager
Manifest Services SA
05.2014 - 12.2015
- Updated customer accounts and processed payments
- Assessed customer compliance with repayment schedule by reviewing account details
- Received information about disputes and responded to incidents calmly to develop effective resolutions
- Checked on payments and convey options by reaching out to customers using various means
- Provided information on credit terms and conditions.
State Director
Zoi Bantouna
10.2012 - 05.2014
- Performed facility evaluations, documented environmental issues and tracked correction plans
- Provided organizational leadership and collaborated with executive partners to establish long-term goals, strategies and company policies
- Signed and approved budgets for new funding and program initiatives
- Oversaw corrective action plans to remedy structural, organizational and departmental issues
- Hired, trained and mentored 500 staff members to maximize productivity
- Executed on-time, under-budget project management to adhere to project road map
- Fostered collaboration and development of new practices by business leaders
- Strategized and implemented plans to transform and revitalize operations, capitalizing on emerging 0ptometry trends.
Store Manager
OPTIKA ARATHIMOS
01.2007 - 08.2012
- Delivered excellent customer service and adhered to standard practices to maximize sales and minimize shrinkage
- Managed inventory tracking and physical inventory counts to minimize loss
- Balanced sales, reconciled cash and made bank deposits to facilitate opening and closing duties
- Generated repeat business by responding to customer concerns with friendly and knowledgeable service
- Oversaw inventory management through cycle counts, audits and shrinkage control
- Strengthened work flow productivity by hiring, managing and developing top talent
- Exceeded team goals and resolved issues by sharing and implementing customer service initiatives.
HR Executive
OPTICA ARATHIMOS
01.2005 - 12.2007
- Evaluated training needs and oversaw training programs
- Directed recruitment, selection and hiring processes.
Personal Assistant
SKAI SHIPPING
01.2001 - 12.2004
- Managed incoming and outgoing correspondence, email and faxes
- Screened telephone calls and inquiries and directed as appropriate
- Trained and supervised shipping department staff, enforcing company policies and industry best practices
- Organized storage areas to maximize movement and minimize labor
- Prepared domestic and foreign shipments in line with regulations established by shipping companies and international customs.
Team leader &store manager Specsavers
L'Oréal
08.2001 - 12.2003
- Kept work areas clean, neat and free of safety hazards to maximize efficiency
- Delegated daily tasks to team members to optimize group productivity
- Promoted to leadership position in recognition of strong work ethic and provided exceptional customer service
- Motivated and empowered team members to build customer satisfaction and loyalty to support retention and growth
- Fostered positive employee relationships through communication, training and development coaching
- Mentored newly hired employees on machine operations and implemented training on safety procedures to prevent injuries
- Offered training and support to keep team members motivated and working toward objectives
- Conducted inspections of equipment before, during and after shifts to prevent project delays and resolve issues
- Reviewed completed work to verify consistency, quality and conformance
- Assigned projects and distributed tasks to team members as per area of expertise
- Conferred with other supervisors to coordinate operations and activities within or between departments
- Reviewed staff work and gave comprehensive and constructive feedback
- Gathered business requirements from users to convert to technical requirements.
Education
Brain Tech Certificate, Marketing 1350 Hours Business Marketing - Marketing
Brain Tech Certificate
ATHENS09.2015
Bachelor's degree - Justice and criminology
Australian College of Applied Professions Expected
May 2024
Bachelor's degree - Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied
ISTITUTO D'ISTRUZIONE VITTORIO ALFIERI
Jan 2011
Associate of Science (A.S -
Ethnikon kai Kapodistriakon Panepistimion Athinon
Jan 2004
Skills
- Athens
- Staff Development
- Managing Operations and Efficiency Onboarding and Orientation
- Verbal and written communication
- People Management
- Operations Management
- Team Management
- Creativity and Innovation
Accomplishments
- Negotiated with vendors, saving company $5,000.000 annually
- Exceeded sales goals by average of 75% in 1 year
- Consistently maintained high customer satisfaction ratings
- Created highly effective new program that significantly impacted efficiency and improved operations
- Promoted from Manager to State Director, in less than 2 years.
Timeline
Director
Winstar Civil Pty Ltd
05.2022 - 03.2024
Manager
Bailey Nelson
07.2021 - 04.2022
Chief Executive Officer
Citywide
04.2021 - 07.2021
Optician
Specsavers
07.2019 - 03.2021
Optician
Vision Express
08.2016 - 04.2019
Director Of Public Relations
DPG Digital Media
12.2015 - 08.2016
Credit Controller Manager
Manifest Services SA
05.2014 - 12.2015
State Director
Zoi Bantouna
10.2012 - 05.2014
Store Manager
OPTIKA ARATHIMOS
01.2007 - 08.2012
HR Executive
OPTICA ARATHIMOS
01.2005 - 12.2007
Team leader &store manager Specsavers
L'Oréal
08.2001 - 12.2003
Personal Assistant
SKAI SHIPPING
01.2001 - 12.2004
Brain Tech Certificate, Marketing 1350 Hours Business Marketing - Marketing
Brain Tech Certificate
Bachelor's degree - Justice and criminology
Australian College of Applied Professions Expected
Bachelor's degree - Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied
ISTITUTO D'ISTRUZIONE VITTORIO ALFIERI
Associate of Science (A.S -
Ethnikon kai Kapodistriakon Panepistimion Athinon
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