Kerstin M. Strothmann
Windhoek, Khomas,KH
Summary
Multilingual Content Specialist, Translator, and Proofreader with a strong track record in delivering high-quality content across English, German, and Afrikaans. My work combines content creation, translation, and editorial quality assurance with a structured, detail-driven approach. I offer a strong background in language analysis, content writing and translation. Proven ability to drive impactful projects through effective communication and cultural understanding. Known for fostering teamwork and delivering consistent results in dynamic environments.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Top Rated Plus Freelancer
Upwork.com
Remote
11.2019 - Current
- Content creation for a number of clients in diverse environments
- Translations across multiple languages
- Developed tailored solutions to meet diverse client needs across various industries.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to client specifications.
- Collaborated with clients to refine project scopes, enhancing overall satisfaction and engagement.
- Utilized advanced software tools for project management, improving workflow efficiency and communication.
Linguist
EasyTranslate
Remote
11.2021 - Current
- Part of the Wix template localization team
- Translations across multiple languages
Translator and Content Writer
Translated
Remote
12.2020 - Current
- Translated diverse documents across multiple languages while ensuring cultural relevance and contextual accuracy
- Participated in language model training
- Part of a number of projects for SEO research
- Content writing
- Localization
Content Writer
Listando
Remote
08.2022 - 11.2024
- Responsible for the creation of back link articles
- Composing blog articles
Linguist
.txt
Remote
05.2021 - 09.2022
- Translations from German to English and vice versa
- Proofreading and Post-Editing
Owner
Bertens & Strothmann Trading CC
Swakopmund, Namibia
04.2014 - Current
- Marketing and sales of shipping and refrigerated containers across Namibia.
- Set up of company in compliance with Namibian legislation.
- Development of country-wide marketing strategy.
- Container inspections and assessment to ensure containers meet required quality standards.
- Preparation of quotations and invoices as well as monthly financial statements.
- Organizing transport of containers to client premises across the country utilizing rail and road transport.
- Sourcing of containers from various international suppliers.
Inter-Africa Logistics (Corridor) Manager
Transworld Cargo Pty Ltd
Walvis Bay, Namibia
03.2013 - 04.2014
- Responsible for management of a team of 6 employees handling all Walvis Bay Corridor related shipments to Zambia, Botswana, Angola, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
- Responsible for a select group of local import/export clients.
- Supervising of and assisting with handling of approximately 100-150 shipments per month.
- Key account management where I am the key contact for the branches’ biggest and most profitable clients.
- Responsible for client communication, updates and trouble shooting.
- Compiling and submission of cost estimates, quotations and tenders for containerized, break bulk, bulk and various project cargoes for the entire branch.
- Business development and client liaison around Namibia and neighbouring countries.
- Adhering and enforcing client requirements and standards, creation of standard operating procedures for my department and following ISO9001 quality standards at all times.
- Planning and allocation of road transport for the corridor as well as local shipments.
- Arranging for timely dispatch and return of containers.
- Acting Branch Manager for a period of three months.
Namibian Imports Manager
Transworld Cargo Pty Ltd
Walvis Bay, Namibia
06.2012 - 03.2013
- Responsible for the end to end operational handling of all sea freight import shipments for the coastal region and coordination of approximately 40 shipments weekly for the inland region.
- Handling of various sea exports and project cargoes in the coastal region.
- Key account management of Transworld’s largest Oshikango client.
- Training of new staff members and trainees in my department as well as supervision of departmental staff.
- Canvassing new business for department for both import and export sectors.
- Compiling and submitting cost estimates and quotations for containerized, break bulk and project cargoes.
- Complying with client requirements, standard operating procedures and ISO9001 quality standards at all times.
- Supervising and management of all administrative and organizational aspects of department.
- Allocation and authorization of 3rd party invoices relevant to my department.
Cargo Services Manager
Inchcape Shipping Services Namibia Pty Ltd
Swakopmund, Namibia
07.2010 - 10.2011
- Responsible for set up and management of our freight and clearing & forwarding departments.
- Management of all commercial aspects, i.e. sales/marketing/new client acquisition.
- Development and implementation of marketing/sales strategy country wide.
- Preparation of department daily, weekly and monthly financial data, as well as budget forecasting.
- Handling and organization of all cargo related projects and tenders.
- Management and preparation of all customs documentation for ISS Namibia.
- Close interaction with every related stakeholder, such as Namport, transporters and government authorities.
- Responsible for container sales department, including acquisition/storage/marketing and transport of same.
- Contract negotiation with key service providers relevant to my department.
Commercial Manager
King & Sons Namibia Pty Ltd
Walvis Bay, Namibia
05.2009 - 07.2010
- Management of freight and clearing & forwarding departments, total of 10 employees reporting directly to me.
- Responsible for all commercial aspects of the business, i.e. gaining of new clients, close liaison with all existing clients such as shipping lines, uranium mines and large project cargo clients.
- Preparation of key financial data on monthly basis, full reconciliations to clients as well as to our head office in Durban.
- Close collaboration with Uranium mines in order to ensure adhesion to WNTI guidelines as well as perfectly running operation with regards to Yellow Cake Shipments to USA/Canada.
- Organization and supervision of large project and high profile government cargo.
- Dangerous goods officer for Southern Africa for Mitchell Cotts Maritime, a sub-division of Grindrod.
- Handling of our branches’ claim management/ negotiation and solution.
- Close interaction and project planning as well as conflict resolution with service providers such as Namibian Port Authorities and Customs offices.
- Best performing branch in Southern Africa for financial year 2009.
Senior Commercial Analyst
BP Shipping Ltd
Sunbury on Thames, UK
09.2006 - 05.2009
- Manage the financial operation of BP fleet of time chartered and owned vessels including: freight calculations, profit share, demurrage and deviation.
- Responsible for the approval and the payment of charter hire, commissions and bunker purchases.
- Account Management and financial analysis and general credit control.
- Close and frequent communication with charterers, owner, brokers and agents.
- Held a key relationship with Ship Owners where off I managed all commercial aspects of the relationship including the calculation of profit share.
- Daily re-forecasting of voyage profitability for the charterers and traders.
- Situation Unit Leader in our Emergency Response Team.
- Responsible for a number of team projects including Type Dynamic Indicator Test to optimize team dynamics of 70 personnel.
- Intern Work Place Manager where I was responsible for their work programs.
Account Coordinator
BP Ethylene Oxide Ltd
Sunbury on Thames, UK
01.2006 - 09.2006
- Account management of key German, Austrian and Swiss customers such as Bayer and Cognis.
- Intimate knowledge of SAP and Business Warehouse (BW) account management systems to maximize asset management and prioritization.
- Troubleshooting and resolution of logistic issues with customers and the chemical plant.
- Client management involving asset planning, prioritization and minimizing product shortages.
- Standing in for asset manager in periods of her being on leave. Daily updates and allocations of various products.
- Building HSSE and Security representative.
Sales Executive
Clarify Solutions Selling Ltd
Reading, UK
06.2005 - 01.2006
- Responsible for the sales of Wily Technology JAVA Application Monitoring Solution Software to German, Austrian and Swiss companies such as Citibank, Sony and T-Mobile.
- Generated sales in excess of $3 Million.
- Conducted diagnostic research on mission critical JAVA applications and presented solutions which resulted in sales.
- Clients included CERN, Wincor Nixdorf and Rolex.
- Gathering Business Intelligence to spot trends on a daily basis.
- Exceeded my monthly sales targets.
Operations Assistant Team Leader
Geiger Technik
Garmisch, Germany
06.2003 - 08.2003
- Geiger Technik is a global automobile parts manufacturer for BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and Volkswagen.
- Responsible for assisting the team leader with operations and supply chain management of the production department.
- Duties included overseeing daily team output of five employees, liaison with the Logistics Team and general admin duties.
Education
BSc (HONS) - Management
Royal Holloway, University of London
01-2005
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Institute of Chartered Ship Brokers
01-2010
A-Levels - undefined
Stafford House College
Canterbury, UK01-2001
Skills
- Content writing in German/English/Afrikaans
- Content localization
- Translation expertise in German/English/Afrikaans
- Proofreading & Post-editing
- QA Analysis
- German/English transcription/translation/subtitling
- Grammar and punctuation expertise
- Project management
- Proficient in an number of related software programs
- Experience with all types of content, like website, blog articles, PR articles, E-Mail-Marketing and product descriptions
- Sociolinguistics awareness
- Attention to detail
- Time management
Interests
Avid snowboarder and past national and international champion, Mountain climbing, golf, horse-riding and swimming, Frequent travel has allowed me to come into contact with a diverse range of people and cultures
Languages
Fluent: English, German, Afrikaans.
Intermediary: French, Italian, Portuguese.
Timeline
Content Writer
Listando
08.2022 - 11.2024
Linguist
EasyTranslate
11.2021 - Current
Linguist
.txt
05.2021 - 09.2022
Translator and Content Writer
Translated
12.2020 - Current
Top Rated Plus Freelancer
Upwork.com
11.2019 - Current
Owner
Bertens & Strothmann Trading CC
04.2014 - Current
Inter-Africa Logistics (Corridor) Manager
Transworld Cargo Pty Ltd
03.2013 - 04.2014
Namibian Imports Manager
Transworld Cargo Pty Ltd
06.2012 - 03.2013
Cargo Services Manager
Inchcape Shipping Services Namibia Pty Ltd
07.2010 - 10.2011
Commercial Manager
King & Sons Namibia Pty Ltd
05.2009 - 07.2010
Senior Commercial Analyst
BP Shipping Ltd
09.2006 - 05.2009
Account Coordinator
BP Ethylene Oxide Ltd
01.2006 - 09.2006
Sales Executive
Clarify Solutions Selling Ltd
06.2005 - 01.2006
Operations Assistant Team Leader
Geiger Technik
06.2003 - 08.2003
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Institute of Chartered Ship Brokers
A-Levels - undefined
Stafford House College
BSc (HONS) - Management
Royal Holloway, University of London
Training
- 2013 EDI systems training 3 Day Course
- 2010 ASYCUDA Training 2 Day Course
- 2010 POPDA and DREAM system training
- 2008 Fundamentals of Petroleum Refining 2 Day Course
- 2008 BP Trading Foundations 3 Day Course
- 2007 ASDEM Laytime and Demurrage Training for the Oil and Tanker Industries
- 2007 BP Shipping Ltd Emergency Response/IMT Training
- 2006 Lloyds Siberian Arctic Oil/Gas Ship Logistics
- 2006 BP Ethylene Oxide Ltd Business Support Team Emergency Response
- 2006 BP Ethylene Oxide Ltd SAP/Business Warehouse Training