Rachel Carson has over 25 years of experience in marketing, customer service, and newspaper planning roles. She is currently the Customer Services Manager at Ackio UK Limited, where her duties include overseeing customer issues, production processes, and marketing activities. Previously, she held senior planning roles at Newsquest Midlands South Ltd and Observer Standard Newspapers Ltd, where she managed teams and ensured publications met deadlines. She is skilled in various software programs and strives to meet tight deadlines while maintaining high quality standards.

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. I am a hard
worker with the ability to learn fast and implement new skills.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Ackio UK Limited
Oct 2015 – Oct 2016 - Customer Services Manager
This was a challenging career change, in an unfamiliar industry. After 3 months of experience learning the processes
and pitfalls, I was promoted to cover for the General Manager until a permanent replacement was employed. During
this period, I gained experience and knowledge which enabled me to improve the processes which increased line
speeds. My duties include:
Fruit line efficiencies, controlling waste and improving commercial awareness of existing staff.
Planning, overseeing agency staff, warehouse activities and Quality Control were undertaken daily.
Control the skills matrix and ensuring all training is up to date.
This period gave me a fantastic opportunity to move forward with my main role which includes:
Overseeing all customer issues, problem solving and trouble shooting.
I still oversee the daily issues from production and help out when required.
With the support of the HR Department I deal with all HR issues and also undertake the marketing for Ackio
including overseas events. Weekly reporting to shareholders.
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/seminars and 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
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 I was responsible for implementing/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.

2. 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 staff. Disciplinary procedures
Liaising with Production Manager and Print Manager
Weekly report to the MD of all issues from all offices.
First Aider, Fire Warden and 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 - 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
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
Millennium Way, Vale Business Park Berrows House, Hylton Road
Evesham WR11 9NB Worcester WR2 5JX
REFERENCES: Available on request