Frances Morgan Oliver

Summary

An experienced businessperson who excels at being self-directed. Proven ability to manage, coordinate, and execute projects through prioritizing, leading clear communication between parties and maintaining impeccable organization. Always one step ahead, recognized for improving processes and efficiency across multiple positions.

Experience

Freelance - Charleston, SC

Assistant Festival Producer for YALLFest
2017 - Present
• As staff member for the annual young adult literature festival, act as a liaison for our corporate publisher sponsors through all stages of event planning and execution. Manage communication between these sponsors and the venues, vendors, and the YALLFest team. Charged with organizing and executing the Fierce Friday signing event and sponsor promotional events. Help secure and plan venues for use, tasks include securing A/V and furniture rentals, catering, trash disposal, and decorations. Oversee the main sponsor venue during the festival, manage teams of volunteers to successfully coordinate author signings, panel discussions, sponsor booths and courtyard events. Established a new storage and delivery solution for all sponsor merchandise and marketing materials.
Production Coordinator for Lawton Miles Studio
January 2019 - Present
• Work as freelance Production Coordinator for a film and photography studio. Tasks include shoot prep such as creating call sheets, assisting in accommodations, overseeing purchases, and handling communication for talent and crew. During shoots, coordinate food services, manage shoot locations, and ensure client needs are met and everything runs smoothly.
Retail Art Director for Old Whaling Company
February 2019 - Present
• Design and create window displays for two retail locations, with the purpose of engaging customers and showcasing products. Research, source, and develop new product ideas and business solutions as asked. Examples include innovative packaging solutions, international dye sourcing, creating custom rubber stamps, and creating custom perfume displays. Successfully tasked with designing a make over of the West Ashley retail store, involving procuring new retail display pieces, decorations, curtains, and plants to create a new store layout and merchandise displays.
Project Coordinator for Plum Collective Interior Design
March 2018 - August 2018
• Handled purchasing, tracking, delivery and storage of furniture and materials. Maintained vendor relations and trade accounts. Created timelines and schedules for each projects stages of implementation. Used Studio Designer project management software to accurately record all purchases, determine profits, and adhere to budgets. Sourced furniture and home accessories. Performed research and compiled data as requested on companies, materials, and miscellaneous business needs.
Inventory and Product Manager for the 2017 Garden & Gun Jubilee
November 2017 - January 2018
• Tracked and received all retail merchandise for event POs, established an organizational system and spreadsheets to aid in that success. Quality checked shipments and problem solved issues with vendors. Used Brightpearl retail management software to input PO and merchandise data, transfer stock to/from other retail outlets, and run re- ports. Post event, worked with the retail and accounting teams to reconcile all sales, reported on and worked to resolve discrepancies, returned consignment PO merchandise, and transferred out remaining inventory.
Product and Packaging Production Coordinator for HOOK and Scoutside
November 2017 - May 2018

Sideshow Press - Charleston, SC

Product Development and Inventory Specialist
October 2015 - August 2017
• Responsible for the research and development of new products from start to finish. Notable projects included the development of a custom line of five unique wedding gifts for BHDLN
• Coordinated product production, managed vendor relations and acted as the intermediary between designers, manufacturers, and our in-house letterpress shop
• Implemented Trello project management software for easier collaboration with the owners on product ideas
• Established new systems and tools to drive efficiency in product production and inventory management, saving time and money in overstock and unused inventory:
  • Reconfigured product cost analysis, created custom spreadsheets, timelines, and electronic filing system
  • Created a database of all raw goods, allowing for each product to be built accurately in real time using purchases, inventory numbers, costs, and overhead
• Managed the inventory of over 70,000 units of products and raw goods through detailed tracking of purchases and adjustments. Proposed plans for reorders and discontinuation of products
• Headed the processing of all sales orders across multiple software platforms, including coordinating big box orders and custom products for brands like J.Crew, Pottery Barn, and Starbucks
• Seasonally prepared for all trade shows and related activities, and worked with the sales group to provide them product files, samples, road kits, and updated sales software
• Oversaw the work done by the warehouse distribution center and established packing and shipping guidelines
• Set up and maintained direct wholesale accounts, and served as point of contact for sales group representatives
• Maintained eCommerce website using WooCommerce

Hanse Orga International - Chicago, IL

Office manager
March 2014 - August 2015
• Coordinated trade shows and conferences with the global marketing team, assisted in logistics ranging from travel to transport of marketing materials
• Fostered relationships with company vendors and resolved issues that arose, oversaw related accounts payable by processing, auditing, and paying invoices
• Approved monthly employee credit card and per-diem expense reports, made sure they were in compliance with company guidelines
• In charge of travel management, including all flight, hotel, and car rental activity. Actively reduced travel expenses by initiating changes to company policies and setting regulations with travel agency
• Managed the leasing and maintenance of a new company car fleet
• Served as primary liaison for the legal counsel and international IT department
• Handled customer contract distribution, vendor and payment setup, and pursued delinquent accounts
• Ran all HR functions, including overseeing new hire onboarding and documentation, managing all employee benefit plans, and handling the approval and management of time and expense records
• Led the development of a more comprehensive and efficient HR management system. Improvements included creating a HR guidebook for management and benefits deductible calculator, implementing a new paid time-off structure, developing an improved expense system, and initiating vision insurance
• Facilitated payroll process by reporting commissions, deductions, hires, and severance packages

Table Fifty-Two Restaurant - Chicago, IL

Office Manager
March 2010 - March 2014
• Organized and executed essential operational documents, including business licenses, credit applications, membership renewals, contracts, and client and vendor records
• Assisted with accounting by managing the restaurant invoices, billings, credit receipts, and sales reports, as well as executing chargebacks, staff reimbursements, and payments to vendors
• Maintained all office supplies and equipment, implemented an inventory management system that reduced expenses
• Supervised the induction of new employees and maintained administrative paperwork on all personnel
• Served as first point of contact for all calls and general correspondences

Event Coordinator, March 2010 - March 2014
• Promoted, booked, and coordinated private events, which generated over $280,000 in revenue in 2011 and 2012
• Acted as the liaison between the clients, Chef and event staff to create custom menus, build and communicate the event timeline, design the physical layout, and coordinate staffing
• Established a new pricing system for private events to increase small group bookings based on analysis of historical booking data

Head Reservationist, January 2010 - March 2010
• Configured floor plans and reservation schedule to maximize daily seatings by analyzing Open Table reports
• Enhanced customer experience by determining customer needs, designing innovative solutions, and executing those solutions through staff communication and coordination

Blush & Bashful Event Boutique - Chicago, IL

Wedding Planner Intern
June 2008 - October 2008

FLATFILE galleries - Chicago, IL

Gallery Assistant
May 2007 - December 2007
• Supported the gallery in its daily operations, including reception, clerical work, and physical care of art
• Prepared for, hosted, and broke down gallery shows. Responsible for interior painting, applying and hanging signage, labeling the art work and post-show inventory management

Education & Honors

Columbia College Chicago, Chicago
BA in Art, Entertainment and Media Management, Graduated May 2008
• Concentration in Visual Arts Management and Entrepreneurship
• GPA: 3.82; Dean’s List every semester; Award for Best Business Plan in the graduating class
Santa Reparata International School of Art, Florence, Italy
January 2007 - May 2007
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
August 2004 - June 2005

Technical Skills

PC and Mac, Microsoft (Publisher, Powerpoint, Excel, Word, Outlook), Trello, Pages, GenesisWorldwide, Google Drive, Google Docs, Web Commerce Management (WooCommerce), Inventory Management (Dear Systems, ShipStation, Bright Pearl), Brandwise, Authorize.net, Studio Designer