Purchasing and Customer Account Manager

Job Title: Purchasing and Customer Account Manager

Location: Kettering, on site office based full-time

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum

Job Type: Full Time - Permanent, 40 per week, Monday - Friday

The Role:

To act as the central point for all raw material purchases ensuring all required materials are onsite in order to support delivery to customers On Time and In Full.

To manage key customer accounts, communicating orders to production and delivering a superior level of customer service at all times.

Main responsibilities

• Manage systems for monitoring stock levels ensuring continuity of supply whilst supporting positive cash flow.
• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of goods.
• Conduct negotiations with suppliers to secure favourable terms and pricing.
• Research potential alternative raw material suppliers, assessing their suitability for supply and undertaking price comparison exercises.
• Record and track supplier spend.
• Maintain up-to-date supplier prices to be available for Commercial/Estimating.
• Maintain up-to-date Material Safety Data Sheets for raw material inputs.
• Evaluate supplier performance and address any issues or concerns.
• Attend print press passes/supplier visits where required.
• Maintain a system for tracking material order progress and expected delivery dates.
• Advise Sales/Planning/Production on material lead times and delivery status.
• Manage last minute orders to ensure manufacturing can continue and project deadlines are met.
• Purchase materials in accordance with compliance to sustainable forestry accreditation.
• Maintain a material accounting system for materials requiring a chain-of-custody.
• Frequent visits to production areas to ensure orders are running to schedule and updating customers accordingly.
• Communicate agreed delivery schedule to despatch to ensure transport is arranged accordingly.
• Handle and resolve any customer complaints that may arise, ensuring you manage the business relationships.
• Work closely with Technical and Commercial teams to assist with the creation of job bags.
• Assist with completing non-conformance/process improvement reports relating to any quality complaints.
• Assist with researching the most environmentally friendly material solutions in order to elevate the company's commercial offering.
• Assist the Office Manager in triaging the main office telephone line.
• Cover for Office Manager in times of absence.
• Any other task as reasonably requested by a Senior Manager.

Essential:

• Purchasing/procurement experience.
• Ability to notice potential for cost-savings.
• Highly organised with the ability to prioritise workload effectively.
• Ability to balance stakeholder expectations against the needs and capabilities of the business and suppliers.

• Able to work flexibly to changing business demands.
• Strong commercial acumen with a focus on cost-reduction.
• Intermediate Excel.

Desired:

• Knowledge of print/packaging.
• Project Management experience.
• Experience with artwork/repro.
• Knowledge of FSC standards.

Holidays:

• 24 + Bank Holidays
• 19 days to be taken during scheduled factory closures (Easter, Spring, Summer, Christmas) with 5 days floating to be taken Jan - Dec
• Overtime available paid at enhanced rates

Benefits

• Onsite parking
• Employee Assistance Programme

The company is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. We expect every member of the company to do their part to cultivate and maintain an environment where everyone has the opportunity to feel included and respected.

Decisions related to hiring are made fairly and we provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and employees. We take responsibility for always striving to create an inclusive environment that makes every employee and candidate feel welcome.

Candidates with experience or relevant job titles of: Purchasing Assistant, Procurement Assistant, Procurement Manager, Buying Manager, Account Manager may also be considered for this role.