Open to opportunities

Nicola van Zyl

@nicolavanzyl

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Operations and ISO compliance professional with 5+ years improving workflows, finances, and project administration.

South Africa

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for an operations role where I can drive ISO compliance, improve workflows, and own project administration and milestone tracking. I want a team that values efficiency, high-quality documentation, and strong stakeholder relationships to deliver commercial results.

I’m a dynamic, strategic operations professional with over five years of cross-functional experience, focused on business efficiency and project administration. I optimize day-to-day organizational workflows, manage financial resource allocation, and help teams deliver consistent, high-impact outcomes.

As an Owner, Operator, I oversee day-to-day operations while maintaining high standards of customer service and efficiency. I control expenses to reach budget goals, uphold strict hygiene standards, and deliver catering services for everything from small gatherings to large corporate functions.

In administrative roles, I drive operational accuracy and compliance by owning systems like data entry and record-keeping, and by administering quality assurance documentation. I also lead ISO compliance efforts by aligning procedures with audit expectations and controls, while tracking project milestones in line with mine standards.

Earlier experience includes commercial and logistics administration, where I handled costing, quotes, invoices, shipment documentation, and milestone timing. I’ve also supported people operations through onboarding and recruitment screening, and strengthened customer-facing leadership through reception and store management—bringing structure, schedules, and performance focus to every environment.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Owner, Operator

Bare Bakes

Jan 2023 - Mar 2026 (3 years 2 months)

Oversaw day-to-day operations while maintaining customer service and efficiency, including expense control and budget goal tracking. Managed baking, hygiene standards, and delivered catering services for small to large corporate functions.

Customer Service Expense Management Budgeting Baking

Administrative Assistant

DME Services

Apr 2022 - Jul 2024 (2 years 3 months)

Handled onboarding and qualification follow-ups, data entry, and operational systems for accurate record-keeping. Supported quality assurance documentation, project milestone tracking, and ISO compliance aligned to audit expectations.

Onboarding Data Entry Operational Systems Quality Assurance Documentation ISO Compliance Regulatory Compliance Project Tracking Audit Readiness

Global Services Administrator

Jendamark Automation

May 2021 - Feb 2022 (9 months)

Managed costing, quotes, and invoices, and coordinated project delivery by tracking progress and milestone timing. Supported ISO compliance documentation, logistics administration, and spare parts sales and purchasing.

Costing Quotes Invoicing Project Tracking Milestone Compliance Documentation Logistics Administration Spares List Maintenance

HR Assistant

TRSS Reaction

Feb 2021 - May 2021 (3 months)

Administered employee onboarding, including sign-ins, briefings, and initial document checks, and supported recruitment screening and interview scheduling. Processed AWOL absence reports, updated and filed records, and assisted with staff scheduling and termination documentation.

Employee Onboarding Recruitment Screens Interview Scheduling Sign Ins And Document Checks AWOL Reporting Records Management Staff Scheduling Talent Acquisition

Reception Manager

Atlantic Pearl Guesthouse

May 2019 - Mar 2020 (10 months)

Managed reception operations and supported reception staff while handling customer relations to resolve queries and requests. Scheduled bookings, events, and conferences, and captured accurate data for records, logs, and routine administration updates.

Customer Relationship Management Customer Service Scheduling Event Coordination Data Capture

Store Manager

Dakota Lee

Nov 2018 - May 2019 (6 months)

Conducted client consultations and managed appointment diaries and service scheduling. Oversaw day-to-day store operations, including payments and cash-ups, monthly salary and commission calculations, stock levels, staff rosters, and customer service.

Client Consulting Appointment Scheduling Payments Processing Salary Calculation Store Operations Management Customer Service

Administration Assistant

Little Kickers Fourways

Jan 2018 - May 2019 (1 year 4 months)

Provided general administration to keep records organized and support smooth operations. Processed invoices and billing documents, monitored debtor account balances, and followed up on outstanding items while maintaining accurate invoicing and debtor tracking.

General Administration Invoicing Collections Follow Ups Debtor Tracking