Madison Hopkins-Burger
Oakville,ON
Summary
Hardworking, professional, friendly, passionate and reliable worker with extensive customer service and administrative, visual merchandising, manufacturing, leadership, creative, business, retail, management and teaching experience. Highly organized, caring, proactive and punctual with excellent interpersonal skills. A trusted employee who has been consistently promoted to take on more responsibility in the workplace.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Customer Service and Licensed Insurance Agent
CAA Insurance
Remote, Ontario
01.2025 - Current
- Advises clients on their insurance needs and coverage options based on individual requirements- works closely with clients to ensure they have access to the products which will keep themselves and their possessions safest.
- Processes policy changes, renewals, cancellations, escalations and other related functions accurately and timely.
- Takes calls and inputs all communicated information into databases for clients, takes extensive records of disclosed client information.
- Works within client accounts to ensure all records are correct and streamlined and can be easily referenced by other team members.
- Works alone, as well as communicates and collaborates with a team to come to conclusions which will benefit the team and organization.
- Utilizes strong attention to detail, communication and empathy with each client to convey the correct information about their policies.
- Creates specific reference notes on each client file for ease of knowledge transfer between agents and other departments.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations and company policies, while catering sales to clients specific needs and risk levels.
Visual Merchandising Manager, Sales Rep/Buyer Aide
Fabricland/Rose-E-Dee- Notions Department
08.2023 - Current
- Began working for company in administrative, office assistant and procurement role; sourcing products, obtaining pricing, creating purchasing orders, creating and updating records, and following through the procurement process, providing artwork and performing inspections.
- Was promoted by buyer to new position based on initiative to aid in her work and improve company goals, customer experience, branding identity and optimize sales.
- Worked to create all store notions displays by curating collections of items based on their uses and visual assets- upheld showroom of items and maintained displays based on seasonal and product changes.
- Kept records of multiple planograms, spreadsheets and files which contain important information pertaining to the success of planned directives, as well collection and project lists.
- Created display directives and worked on strategies for special edition products in the form of end caps, and compiles existing products into end caps for seasonal and curated collections of items to promote creativity, align with social media projects and to promote sales.
- Utilized and coordinated the implementation of fixtures to create compelling displays- used trial and error to come up with the best way to display products and worked ahead of time to find the best fixture for upcoming products.
- Created and dispersed memos and store directives for visual changeovers, planograms, product information and more, and works as a Sales Representative, handling all store communications within the notion side of the business- working between stores and coordinators to find resolutions.
- Planned and created store initiatives such as collection based sorting of products and branding for customers to easily locate and understand the use of each item, as well as store ease of operation.
- Implemented programs such as providing the stores with comprehensive planogram reference files to aid in maintaining their displays.
- Worked in an event planning role- creating visual displays for seminars and attending presentations to answer all questions about products and various other store needs- utilizing strong product knowledge to empower store managers and associates.
- Coordinated shipments to stores and kept logs of all new item shipments, as well as store directive memo printouts, and was the point of contact between the store, office and warehouse for various needs, product questions and more.
- Acted as a customer service manager for stores, answering all store questions about the department, investigating issues related to products and the ordering system, as well as handling all shipment inquiries.
- Was a go to, reliable leader to other staff and aided in concerns within the office, guiding others on questions about our collections, displays, packaging specifications, product knowledge and importing goods.
- Worked as brand leader, ensuring all items were placed in the correct collections and approving items for purchase which aligned with business goals.
- Assisted product coordinators and buyer with various tasks such as providing input about products to purchase, picking product colours, creating cohesive lines of products and giving suggestions about products which will enhance lines.
- Oversaw staff as a buyer aid in the procurement, supply chain process, helping oversee the purchasing of items all the way to how they are displayed and how they sell in stores.
- Helped research trends and aided in forecasting what should be purchased for the collections with the customer and community in mind.
- Analyzed sales data and monitored stock levels to ensure planogram displays are up to date and cohesive, and to make choices about the future of product lines.
- Worked alongside the graphic designer to come up with appropriate packaging for each collection, and to create signage for stores.
- Utilized both Google and Microsoft suites to create records, documents, and complete projects- heavily utilized Excel every day.
Assistant Manager/ Acting Manager
Snuggle Bugz
02.2023 - 08.2023
- Worked as the assistant manager with management responsibilities while having no manager employed at the store.
- Upheld values of the business with a strong focus on community, guiding families through important decisions and making strong personal connections with clients.
- Guided staff with kindness and a strong attention to detail to balance schedules, tasks and customers, to keep the business running smoothly and ensure that customer's and staff's needs are being met.
- Balanced day to day tasks on the sales floor, such as POS transactions and assisting customers, while also acting as the Visual Merchandiser for the store and supervising and leading events such as inventory and shipment.
- Attended meetings with head office about procedures, client relationships and strategy development- upheld head office standards.
- Mentored staff to enhance skills and achieve daily targets, utilized hands-on and motivational leadership, constructive feedback and instilled confidence by delegating tasks based on staff's strengths and interests.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Took initiative to merchandise the store, planned and created feature walls and tables- upheld strong visual standards and enhanced visuals of popular and featured items in order to excite and inspire shoppers- remerchandised areas of the store to fit better with accessibility, as well as brand and company standards.
- Worked to maintain backroom safety and organization, and completed reverse picks, maintained cleanliness of the store to create a pleasant atmosphere for clients and staff.
- Performed interviews and assisted new hires through hiring process, also trained staff whether they were already employed or newly hired.
Craftsperson and Supervisor
Case Tech
Oakville, ON
04.2019 - 02.2023
- Worked successfully with group of coworkers, taking on a supervisory role, in order to accomplish goals and address issues related to products- as well as worked as a partner to the business owner to complete projects for our clients based on their needs.
- Juggled multiple projects and tasks to ensure high quality and timely delivery of products; constantly multitasked to keep each day running smoothly through supervising staff, training others to develop new skills, keeping a tidy workplace.
- Demonstrated leadership by making improvements to work processes and operations.
- Monitored employee productivity to provide constructive feedback and coaching.
- Evaluated processes and employee strengths to realign workflows with changing business demands.
- Worked with a variety of machinery- such as different types of industrial sewing machines, gouging, hot stamping, molding, drill presses, sanders and riveting machines- as well as with a variety of materials, to create products.
- Upheld high quality standards and utilized good manufacturing practices, and adhered to standard operating procedures every day in order to provide consistent, high-quality results.
- Designed products, used and created new patterns to cut leather and nylon into usable shapes for completing various designs and final products.
- Created presentations of new products for clients through Word and PowerPoint, listening to their needs and creating strong relationships with them based on good quality products that meet all their requirements.
- Was given the opportunity to learn about all the procedures which create a successful business.
- Inspected, packed and shipped final products for shipment, also received new shipments and organized stock- handled quality control of products and organization and inventory of warehouse spaces.
Teacher/Life Skills Mentor
Community Living
Toronto, ON
09.2021 - 09.2022
- Worked on a one year contract to connect an individual with someone who has experience in a field they are interested in.
- Worked one on one with a high school student with a learning disability to hone hands on skills.
- Engaged student with positivity and passion for the subject, instilling self-esteem and joy of discovery.
- Boosted students' understanding of material using focused instructional strategies and hands-on activities.
- Designed individualized curriculum, created project deadlines, documented all class information in shared drive to easily access and to mutually add ideas.
- Worked outside normal hours to be available for student questions, send personalized videos of skills and techniques, etc.
- Created projects that can be donated to local charities in order to enrich the community and promote compassion.
Personal Support Worker
Private Employer
Old Toronto, ON
07.2021 - 05.2022
- Worked one on one, helping client with personal needs from exercise to bathing and personal grooming, to coordinating events, appointments, family visits and outings with client.
- Assisted with meal planning to meet nutritional plans.
- Maintained clean and well-organized environment for client happiness and safety- including sanitizing and cleaning house, and laundry to support activities of daily living.
- Improved patient outlook and daily living through compassionate care, as well as created safe and positive living situation for client.
- Encouraged the development of life skills by coaching client on tasks such as cooking, crafting, cleaning and more.
- Followed care plan and directions to administer medications.
- Aided mobility and independence for disabled individuals and continually monitored safety.
Weaving Teaching Assistant
Sheridan College
Oakville, ON
01.2021 - 04.2022
- Approached as alumni to help teach a 13 week long class for two Winter semesters, on the technical and creative process of weaving.
- Assisted in making decisions about weekly subjects and guides lessons for the class, and provided tips for successful projects.
- Provided one on one guidance and aid to students in all questions associated with weaving and looms.
- Worked within the studio to uphold studio standards and create safe place for students, maintained looms and other equipment.
- Handled student artworks and presented them in gallery spaces for critiquing purposes.
- Assisted in critiques for class projects, giving constructive feedback to students for further success.
- Created samples for the studio for a library of resources for students.
- Worked as a substitute teacher, leading class on my own when the teacher is away.
Store Supervisor/Store Co-Manager
Aren't We Naughty
Oakville, ON
08.2018 - 04.2020
- Worked as a supervisor with managerial duties while there was no store manager employed.
- Oversaw daily goals and operations; such as opening and closing procedures, POS, and customer relationships, while constantly coaching and training associates, and reviewing visual, restock and cleanliness standards- also worked as visual merchandiser for the store, planning and executing visuals throughout the store and window displays.
- Retained extensive product knowledge and engaged with customers compassionately and non-judgmentally to make the right product suggestions and create long lasting client relationships.
- Kept constant contact with head office to ensure daily goals were being met and attended meetings with them to strategize.
Alterations Fit Specialist and Supervisor
Stitch It
Oakville, ON
06.2017 - 08.2019
- Fit customers for alterations using learned skills and techniques.
- Created a schedule for alterations and acted as an aid to the manager by supervising other employees to ensure work would be done in a timely manner.
- Multi-tasked by completing small alterations, preparing alterations for coworkers, and steaming/ironing clothing while assisting customers.
- Kept track of sales and budgets for alterations.
- Kept a clean and organized workplace by doing tasks such as organizing materials, production space and storage areas.
Assistant Store Manager
Nygard International
Oakville, ON
06.2017 - 04.2018
- Assisted in overall day-to-day operations of store, including sales, working cash, and assisting customers, while working on the continuous development of store associates to achieve desired sales and results, and maintaining management specific tasks like payroll, end of day deposits, client documentation, training.
- Maintained retail store presentation by overseeing all visual merchandising tasks, enhancing overall store and window display appearance utilizing seasonal trends to drive strategy.
- Recruited staff who demonstrated passion, dedication and added value to team.
- Set schedules, delegated assignments based on team strengths, financial budgets to optimize floor coverage and service levels.
- Collaborated with staff to maximize customer satisfaction, streamline procedures and improve bottom-line profitability.
- Coached and developed store associates through formal and informal interactions, providing mentorship for employees to generate sales, keep positive moral and promote retail productivity.
- Maintained strong customer relationships and lists of clients, providing daily professional interactions.
- Achieved or exceeded business plans on consistent basis.
Department Manager and Visual Merchandiser
Anthropologie
Oakville, ON
09.2015 - 04.2017
- First year of work was as a sales associate and visual display staff; promoted to supervisory position due to dedication and quality of work and customer relationships.
- Worked as a leader on the POS system to teach others, opening of store and tills, creation of end of day financial information and deposits, worked on scheduling related finances.
- Restructured merchandising strategy for the store in order to promote products and customer engagement- created displays and art works which were displayed throughout the store, as well as the windows.
- Created retail displays to highlight particular products and drive sales according to corporate strategy, including creation of artistic hand-made displays which change each season.
- Worked on installation of displays and artworks, handling hand made displays and safely presenting them throughout the store to enhance customer experience.
- Taught sales staff to properly coordinate clothing racks and counter displays, furniture and home accessories to maximize promotional effectiveness.
- Upheld strong merchandising standards and overall store's tidiness, cleanliness.
- Supervised staff, acting as manager on duty and performing all necessary management tasks, such as payroll and scheduling, caring for staff and customers.
- Provided excellent and professional service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations, created and upheld strong and lasting client relationships.
Education
Bachelor of Crafts And Design - Textile Design
Sheridan College Institute Of Technology And Advanced Learning
Oakville, ON04.2020
Advanced Diploma in Crafts And Design - Textile Design
Sheridan College Institute Of Technology And Advanced Learning
Oakville, ON04.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Printmaking And Photography
OCAD University
Toronto, ONSkills
- Responsible, possesses leadership, administrative, management, visual merchandising, manufacturing, design, personal support, teaching and coaching skills
- Compassionate, caring and calm under pressure
- Flexible and adaptive
- Highly organized with a strong ability to multitask
- Outgoing, with strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Works well with others and as part of a team; possesses the ability to collaborate on projects as well as delegate tasks to ensure delivery, while balancing the organization and motivation to work proficiently alone
- Excellent at creating and maintaining strong relationships with others, and possesses the ability to relate to and understand others; whether it be coworkers, clients, students or customers
- Strong managerial skills learned through retail, office and manufacturing positions, has worked supporting others as a strong self-starter and leader
- Extensive knowledge of the insurance industry
- Strong merchandising standards of stores and creation of company visual directives, window, and store art displays
- Familiar with the buying, supply chain and procurement process
- Tracks and follows current trends and successfully applies findings to projects
- Compassionate ability to care for clients and fellow staff
- Proficient in all processes and procedures for successful daily retail and office operation
- Ability to plan and teach lessons, give positive and constructive feedback, work one on one with students and promote skill building
- Sewing expertise- working with a wide variety of fabrics ranging from leather to silk
- Sewing pattern drafting and utilizing sewing patterns
- Surface design and experimental painting, colour theory techniques, as well as applying designs to surfaces
- Printmaking techniques on fabric and paper
- Dyeing and dye techniques with a variety of fibers with both natural and synthetic dyes
- Proficient knitting and crochet skills
- Photography, video making and editing in analog and digital processes
- Strong understanding of art and design such as colour theory, materials and more
- Understanding of art handling and display, visual storytelling
- Weaving- working with a wide variety of fibers and proficient in setting up and weaving with table, floor, multi-heddle, rigid heddle and tapestry looms, reading and creating weaving drafts
- Strong understanding of business, and the process of working toward creation of businesses
- Proficient in Microsoft software such as Word, PowerPoint and extensive experience working with Excel
- Proficient in Google Suite
- Proficient in Photoshop for surface design, marketing, mock up, photography, and packaging purposes
Certification
- Completed OTL training and certification, and is a licensed Insurance Agent
- Completed Sheridan College Co-op on the EDGE placement for the creation and management of small businesses
- Worked as an artist assistant with Weaving Artist Mary Grisey
- Received The Angela Martin Award for sustainability in craft, for my work in utilizing recycled materials and natural dyes
- Received Textile Studio Materials Award
- Completed a course on weaving through the Art Gallery of Burlington
- Completed a course and CPR, health and safety training, as well as WHMIS training, studio safety, and is trained on multiple types of heavy machinery
Timeline
Customer Service and Licensed Insurance Agent
CAA Insurance
01.2025 - Current
Visual Merchandising Manager, Sales Rep/Buyer Aide
Fabricland/Rose-E-Dee- Notions Department
08.2023 - Current
Assistant Manager/ Acting Manager
Snuggle Bugz
02.2023 - 08.2023
Teacher/Life Skills Mentor
Community Living
09.2021 - 09.2022
Personal Support Worker
Private Employer
07.2021 - 05.2022
Weaving Teaching Assistant
Sheridan College
01.2021 - 04.2022
Craftsperson and Supervisor
Case Tech
04.2019 - 02.2023
Store Supervisor/Store Co-Manager
Aren't We Naughty
08.2018 - 04.2020
Alterations Fit Specialist and Supervisor
Stitch It
06.2017 - 08.2019
Assistant Store Manager
Nygard International
06.2017 - 04.2018
Department Manager and Visual Merchandiser
Anthropologie
09.2015 - 04.2017
Bachelor of Crafts And Design - Textile Design
Sheridan College Institute Of Technology And Advanced Learning
Advanced Diploma in Crafts And Design - Textile Design
Sheridan College Institute Of Technology And Advanced Learning
Bachelor of Arts - Printmaking And Photography
OCAD University