Steve popowith
Edmonton,AB
Summary
Dynamic professional with a proven track record at New Zealand Customs Service, excelling in cross-functional collaboration and analytical problem-solving. Achievements include significantly reducing staff turnover while fostering a customer-centric environment. Expertise in occupational safety has driven successful project outcomes and operational enhancements, demonstrating a commitment to results-driven leadership.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
SENIOR CUSTOMS OFFICER
New Zealand Customs Service
Auckland, New Zealand
08.2008 - 10.2024
- Reduced staff turnover through enhanced team communication and operational realignment.
- Assessed duties, taxes, fees, levies, fines, penalties. on imported items according to established procedures.
- Inspected shipments, vehicles and individuals to identify and seize contraband.
- Verified incoming shipments against invoices, bills of lading, and other documents to ensure completeness and accuracy.
- Monitored port operations to identify potential security risks or violations of customs regulations.
- Collaborated with law enforcement officials to provide relevant information regarding observed or suspected criminal activity.
- Developed relationships with stakeholders such as importers and exporters, freight forwarders, carriers, brokers.
- Interpreted and explained laws and regulations to travelers and shippers.
- Prepared reports on the movement of goods across international borders for statistical purposes.
- Collaborated closely with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- Utilized various software and tools to streamline processes and optimize performance.
MAINTENANCE/PORTER AND NIGHT SECURITY
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
Dunedin, New Zealand
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Completed routine maintenance checks, notifying management of needed repairs.
- Checked safety equipment for proper operation such as emergency lights or exit signs.
- Cleaned carpets using vacuum cleaners or steam cleaners; shampooed carpets when needed.
- Performed minor repairs to plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, faucets, and urinals.
- Maintained clean and tidy appearance in reception, waiting areas and hallways.
- Assisted with setup of special events within the facility including tables chairs decorations.
- Operated power tools such as drills, saws, sanders and grinders safely following all safety protocols.
PICKER AND DRIVER
KAANS Catering
Dunedin, New Zealand
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Inspected products for damage or defects before packing.
- Fulfilled orders quickly to accomplish challenging daily objectives.
- Utilized hand-held scanners to track inventory and locate products.
- Selected products and items from shelves and pallets for customer orders.
- Shifted and moved products inside delivery vehicles to stack properly for safe transportation.
- Drove trucks to and from job sites to deliver supplies.
COURIER DRIVER
Grey Valley Couriers
Greymouth, New Zealand
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Performed routine vehicle inspections before and after each shift to ensure operational safety.
- Delivered items to residential addresses within specified time frames.
- Checked shipping papers to determine nature of load and presence of hazardous materials.
- Collaborated with warehouse staff to ensure accurate and timely dispatch of packages.
- Assisted with loading and unloading of cargo as needed.
- Checked and secured package loads before deliveries.
- Assisted in the sorting and organizing of packages for efficient delivery routes.
- Drove company vehicle to transport goods between locations safely and efficiently.
- Developed delivery route understanding to avoid high traffic and construction areas.
- Sorted parcels according to delivery route.
- Operated pallet jacks to move large parcels across warehouses and facilities.
STOREMAN
Rexel Electrical
Auckland, New Zealand
01.2007 - 08.2008
- Operated lift and hand trucks to transfer materials to and from target areas.
- Built relationships with key customers and stakeholders to grow business networks and locate new opportunities.
- Coordinated receipt of stock deliveries, inspected incoming equipment to spot damaged or incomplete shipments and promptly and definitively resolved issues identified.
- Prepared orders for delivery, loading and unloading trucks as required.
- Maintained a clean, organized work environment at all times.
- Managed inventory tracking and physical inventory counts to minimize loss.
RETAIL ASSISTANT
Mitre10 NZ
Auckland, New Zealand
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Stocked shelves and supplies and organized displays to focus customer attention on specific items.
- Recommended, selected and located merchandise based on customer desires.
- Restocked shelves, racks and bins with latest merchandise and changed signage to promote special items.
- Monitored sales floor to identify customers in need of assistance and merchandise requiring replenishment.
- Assisted in setting up promotional displays, signage and window displays.
- Resolved customer complaints to boost service and satisfaction and escalated higher level issues to supervisor for immediate remediation.
- Kept up-to-date knowledge of all products available in the store.
FRANCHISE MANAGER
KCTOOLS NZ
Auckland, New Zealand
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Monitored progress by establishing plans, budgets and measuring results.
- Formed and sustained strategic relationships with clients.
- Implemented campaigns and promotions to help with developing goods and services.
- Created marketing materials for franchisor-franchisee relations.
- Monitored financial performance of all franchises in the network.
- Managed inventory and supplies to ensure materials were available when needed.
BELLMAN/Night Security Guard
Inns of Banff
Banff, Alberta
05.2004 - 04.2005
- Maintained a neat appearance of the lobby area at all times.
- Transported guests' luggage to their room or other designated areas within the hotel premises.
- Monitored area surrounding hotel and addressed potentially dangerous people and situations.
- Performed light housekeeping duties including vacuuming carpets, dusting surfaces, emptying trash cans.
- Approached customers and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.
- Completed required shift logs and reports, highlighting routine activities, suspicious circumstances and critical incidents.
NIGHT RECEIVER
Princess Auto
Regina, Canada
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Operated forklifts, hand trucks, or other equipment to load, unload, transport and store goods.
- Corresponded with establishment representatives to rectify damages, shortages or nonconformance to specifications.
- Verified accuracy of incoming shipments against purchase orders.
- Stocked shelves with new inventory.
- Rejected deliveries containing damaged items or shortages and corresponded with shipper to rectify issues.
- Maintained records of all incoming and outgoing deliveries.
- Maintained a clean work area at all times.
WAREHOUSE ASSOCIATE
Direct Distribution Warehouse
Regina, Canada
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Picked and prepared numerous daily shipments in controlled atmosphere warehouse environment.
- Prepared parcels for shipping in an efficient manner utilizing appropriate packing materials to protect goods during transit.
- Prepared and completed warehouse orders for delivery or pickup according to schedule.
- Used pallet jacks to move items to and from warehouse locations.
- Packed boxes and stock using organizational guidelines.
- Received merchandise into warehouse, relocated products using forklifts and pallet jacks and processed orders for shipment.
- Staged and sorted multiple types of products for loading.
- Organized warehouse space by rearranging products on shelves, racks and bins according to size, weight, type and other specifications.
- Assisted in loading finished goods onto delivery vehicles as required.
STOCK UNLOADER
Walmart
Regina, Canada
01.2001 - 01.2002
- Provided assistance with other warehouse duties as needed.
- Participated in regular training sessions on safety and operation of material handling equipment.
- Documented arrival and condition of goods, noting any damages for claims processing.
- Handled packages safely while unloading and transporting.
- Coordinated cargo unloading with other workers to achieve efficient and safe transportation.
- Reported any product issues to supervisors immediately.
- Engaged in physical lifting of items when necessary, adhering to ergonomic lifting techniques.
Education
GED 12 -
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
01.2001
Skills
- Customer-Centric Mindset
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Analytical Problem Solving
- Effective Communication
- Commitment to Honesty
- Occupational Safety Expertise
Training
- Coaching Fundamentals, Enhanced team performance through advanced coaching techniques, fostering continuous improvement.
- Courageous Conversations, Developed leadership skills in conflict resolution and effective communication, contributing to a collaborative work environment.
Timeline
MAINTENANCE/PORTER AND NIGHT SECURITY
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
01.2019 - 01.2020
PICKER AND DRIVER
KAANS Catering
01.2019 - 01.2020
COURIER DRIVER
Grey Valley Couriers
01.2019 - 12.2019
SENIOR CUSTOMS OFFICER
New Zealand Customs Service
08.2008 - 10.2024
STOREMAN
Rexel Electrical
01.2007 - 08.2008
RETAIL ASSISTANT
Mitre10 NZ
01.2006 - 01.2007
FRANCHISE MANAGER
KCTOOLS NZ
01.2005 - 01.2006
BELLMAN/Night Security Guard
Inns of Banff
05.2004 - 04.2005
NIGHT RECEIVER
Princess Auto
01.2004 - 01.2005
WAREHOUSE ASSOCIATE
Direct Distribution Warehouse
01.2002 - 01.2004
STOCK UNLOADER
Walmart
01.2001 - 01.2002
GED 12 -
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
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