1. CURRICULUM VITAE
Rachel M Carson
Mobile: 07815 294609 Email: rachelcarson667@yahoo.com
PERSONAL PROFILE
I am a resilient, influential communicator with the ability to meet extremely tight deadlines. I possess the
flexibility and patience to train at all levels, along with the ability to complete each task at hand in a fast
moving and pressurised environment. I am a proactive individual with a proven track record for problem
solving/trouble shooting and internal auditing. I am a hard worker with the ability to learn fast and
implement new skills.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Ackio UK Limited
October 7th
2015 – Present - Customer Services Manager
This was a challenging career change for me learning a completely different industry. Initially I watched and
learnt the existing processes and got my head around the various pitfalls to packing fruit. After 3 months the
General Manager left very quickly so I was asked to step up and cover the role until a replacement could be
found. I lived and breathed packing for 3 months, learnt and then changed things, improving processes
which, in turn gave us better line speeds. Cleaned getting lines efficient, controlled waste and changed
people’s mindsets, getting them to think more commercially. I also dealt with planning, agencies etc. All
warehouse activities and QC came through me. Myself, the H&S Manager and QC Manager controlled the
skills matrix and made sure all training was kept up to date.
It was in a far better place when I handed it over than it was when I took it on.
This gave me a fantastic grounding to move forward with my main role. I currently take care of all our
customer issues, liaising closely with all customers. Problem solving, trouble shooting. I still deal with the
daily issues from production and help out when needed. I do the marketing for Ackio and go to external
events. I also deal with all HR issues, disciplinaries, leavers, investigations etc along with the HR Dept. This
is a very varied role.
Blackfinch Investments Limited
Mar 2015 – May 2015 – Marketing
Blackfinch has made use of my old skills while giving me new ones.. My duties included:
Keeping all Marketing literature up to date and distributed to our sales team up and down the
country.
Designing and composing new marketing literature for sales aids
Maintaining the website, Organising events and seminars
Liaising with partner companies
Designing and composing adverts, advertorials and editorials for various industry related magazines
and websites. Composing dealsheets, case studies. Composing copy for a SIFA manual
Sending out weekly mailshots to our large database,. AML test 100%. Studying for RO1
Lidl UK
Mar 2014 – Feb 2015 – Deputy Store Manager
After nearly 25 years in the newspaper industry I needed a challenge and decided to take a complete career
change. After my initial training period my role included:
Managing and motivating 24 team members
Managing productivity, Stock control and ordering. Freshness control and date checks
Safe handler, banking, cash ordering, Key holder
Warehouse and delivery maintenance. Controlling chill chain and monitoring legal requirements
Dealing with complaints. Maintaining cleanliness throughout whole store
Training new recruits
Managing promotions
CRB check for Personal Licence

2. Newsquest Midlands South Ltd
Apr 2004 – Dec 2004 - Planner
Dec 2004 – Feb 2014 – Senior Planner
I was approached by Nigel Wilson who had an opening for a Planner within this company. It was a step
down position wise but paid off very quickly when I was promoted within 8 months. I then ran a team of
Planners and our Group Admin Department. My duties included :
Initially we were responsible for implementing and staff training to use a new computer system
which allowed us to centralise and reduce costs.
Controlling paginations. Ensuring each title has enough revenue, editorial which involves a lot of
diplomacy, negotiating with both Sales Managers and Editors for 13 weekly titles, 1 daily and 6
magazines. I had some of the best Planners who helped achieve this.
Ensuring Industry Standards.
Trouble Shooting, ensuring all deadlines are met, Damage control & limitation. Investigating errors
and implementing procedures.
Maintaining staffing levels, controlling holidays, sickness cover.
Training of new recruits Disciplinary procedures
Liaising with Production Manager and Print Manager
Weekly report to the MD of all issues from all offices.
First Aider, Fire Warden
Member of company Health & Safety Committee.
1995 – 2004
Planning Manager - Observer Standard Newspapers Ltd
After three years of employment the chairman approached me to jointly set up and manage a Central
Planning Department alongside another Manager. After 3 years I was solely responsible for the department.
My duties included:
Electronic transfer of between 800 – 1000 pages per week.
Problem Solving and Trouble Shooting.
Controlling pagination costs, ensuring minimum Editorial requirements were met and also making
sure revenues were sufficient. % loadings.
Ensuring we adhere to tight deadlines in order to maintain the steady workflow to other departments.
Critical Time Management.
Organising staff rotas, holiday cover and temporary staff if necessary.
Interviewing, recruitment and training of new staff.
Demonstrations to visiting college students, customers and new recruits.
Liaising with printing companies, ordering print run and colour on press.
1992 – 1995
Trainee Typesetter and Administrator - Observer Standard Newspapers Ltd
After 4 months running a reception the Production Director approached me and offered me a more
demanding role.
General Production Administration.
After initial training period Typesetting adverts and editorial pages on Apple Mac.
Scanning photographs and artwork.
Proof reading
Layout of pages using old method of output onto bromide and cut & paste then as computers
progress straight onto page.
This position required a lot of flexibility, commitment and sometimes very long hours to ensure pages got to
the printers before deadline.
SOFTWARE EXPERIENCE
QuarkXPress, Beacon Planner, Futureproof Booking, Excel, Powertools, Windows, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe
Photoshop, Typestyle, Beacon, Space, Microsoft Office, Access, Sage, Pegasus , Adobe Acrobat and
Indesign
EDUCATION
1980 – 1984
Edward Elgar High School: O Levels: Mathematics, English and Physics. CSE: History, Art
1989 – 1991

3. Matthew Boulton College: NVQ Level III Business Administration, Typing RSA Level I, II, III
RSA Diploma in Office Procedures, Various Communicational certificates for day courses attended
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
I enjoy Pilates, reading and DIY. I socialise with family and friends, enjoy eating out and foreign travel.
EMPLOYMENT REFERENCES
Mrs Lesley Moore Mr Trevor Sallis
HR Director Managing Director
Ackio Uk Limited Newsquest Midlands South Ltd
Millenium Way Berrows House
Vale Business Park Hylton Road
Evesham Worcester
WR11 9BN WR2 5JX
lmoore@alamora.co.uk
PERSONAL REFERENCES
Maxine Taylor Mrs Fiona Phillips
13 Adrian Close Editor of Hereford Times
Droitwich 13 Ledbury Court
taylormax@sky.com Hereford
HR1 3SH
fiona-p@dsl.pipex.com