Suzanne Loots

Experience

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  Keystone lodging and restort

  Nov 2006 - Mar 2007

  Client Services

  I travelled overseas for a few months after completing my Masters Degree. I worked on a ski resort dealing with client requests, complaints and general enquiries.

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  Rust en Vrede Wine Estate

  Jun 2007 - Aug 2008

  Tasting room manager

  I managed the daily goings-on of the tasting room and staff at Rust en Vrede Wine Estate. This was my introduction position to handling busy and high pressured situations. I managed a staff base and assisted in training and growing the brand through the tasting room facility and through the knowledge the staffs were able to articulate to the clients. My key role whilst at Rust en Vrede was to start and manage a lunch time venue on the tasting room’s site. This was done in conjunction with the main restaurant on the farm. This became a profitable and dynamic part of the facility and I enjoyed setting up a successful branch from the core business which was to sell wine. Show less

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  Ernie Els Wines and Big Easy restaurant

  Sept 2008 - Sept 2009

  Marketing Representative

  My position at Big Easy was a promotion from Rust en Vrede Wine Estate. This role involved assisting in the startup and marketing of Ernie Els’s new restaurant in Stellenbosch. This role was to facilitate and assist with the sourcing of suppliers and to manage the coordination of establishing the restaurant from ground level. I assisted with the administration of invoices, budgets and the recruitment of staff ranging from chefs to floor managers. I dealt with site inspections, the implementation of a new kitchen and general décor and lay out of a new restaurant site. I also assisted in the following: establishing a client and public relations foundation, the training of staff, to coordinate and manage functions, market and facilitate the branding of the restaurant within the Ernie Els style. Show less

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  Taste Bud Restaurant

  Sept 2009 - Nov 2014

  Co-founder and owner

  In 2009 I started an 80 seater restaurant, function venue and catering business from ground level. I implemented all the necessary systems as well as hired, trained and managed up to 12 staff members, front and back of house. I sourced all my own suppliers and put a daily menu together for a successful lunch table which served up to 110 people over the lunchtime period. I was successful in creating a secure client base and prided myself on maintaining this aspect of the business. I managed and created a successful a la carte menu which is still being used in the business today. I also created a catering menu which became a profitable part of the business. We had many clients who used the restaurant as a function or conferencing facility such as Stellenbosch University, Clicks, Nedbank and local businesses. We also built up a solid report with these businesses with regard to catering outside of our venue. Show less

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  Hellocomputer

  Oct 2015 - Oct 2019

  Digital Content Manager

  I worked on the SA Tourism account, effectively developing and crafting content for all their customer facing digital platforms (websites, native applications, email newsletters, press releases and social media accounts). I developed specific campaigns and content for each SA Tourism business unit which included consumer, trade and the convention bureau in order to drive brand awareness and sell all the amazing experiences, products and services our country has to offer. During my time at HelIocomputer I worked across various brands and departments where I was involved in a range of projects to create highly engaging and targeted content. I have acquired the skills to use different CMS systems such as Expression Engine, Word press, and Umbraco and enjoy creating and managing web content. I have developed and established my skills to be highly organized, to work efficiently and to mentor people in my team whilst handling large-scale content projects. Show less

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  Freelance

  Nov 2019 - Feb 2020

  Freelance Digital Copywriter
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  Praekelt.com

  Mar 2020 - now

  Content Director

  As the Digital Content Director at a large Telco, I manage all the digital services channel elements on a full-time basis. This involves managing the communication, channels, and content marketing strategies between agency partners, content providers and product owners. I develop and implement all editorial frameworks to source, curate and post up to date content on an ongoing basis. I collaborate with product owners and marketing team to define content requirements and priorities. I have an established ways of working so that incoming content is consolidated, reviewed (and once approved), posted onto the relevant platform.I attend key sessions with the Digital Services team to create an integrated approach for their products and services and ensure that the brand’s creative and message aligns across all platforms. I work closely with all the relevant teams on the implementation of new platform features to drive KPI’s and commercial targets such as subscriptions and user discoverability. Show less

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  MTN South Africa

  Mar 2023 - now

  Digital Specialist