A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd is one of the largest privately owned companies in the UK. Our forward-thinking family-owned business began life in 1917 as a counter-service grocery store and has grown from these humble beginnings into a company that now owns 247 SPAR convenience stores and employs more than 5,000 people, with a turnover of £1.3 billion. As one of the largest convenience retailers in the UK, we are always looking for innovative ways to create a point of difference. Food and drink have always been our lifeblood, and today our business has multiple divisions specialising in retail, food service and wholesale distribution.
Job Purpose
Provide vital administrative support to the Food Solutions team, ensuring smooth and efficient project management for various buying and trading activities. Responsible for managing the administrative critical path for projects and tenders, ensuring that deadlines and requirements are met, while also overseeing key operational processes such as returns, price changes, and compliance reporting. Play a crucial role in supporting product development, managing samples, and assisting in the creation of product brochures, roadshows, and trade fairs.
Key Accountabilities
1. Administrative Support & Critical Path Management:
2. Manage the administrative critical path for all projects and tenders, challenging the team to fulfil requirements and ensuring that deadlines are met.
3. Provide administrative support to ensure timely execution of tasks related to ongoing projects and product launches.
4. Product & Ingredient Management:
5. Set up new products and ingredients in relevant systems, ensuring all information is accurate and up to date.
6. Support the team in managing price changes once they are signed off, ensuring the correct data is inputted and communicated to relevant stakeholders.
7. Operational & Compliance Support:
8. Oversee all CRG (Country Range Group) requirements, including handling returns, price changes, and compliance reporting, ensuring the team completes these tasks on time and in full (OTIF).
9. Ensure proper tracking and documentation for all compliance-related activities to meet company and regulatory standards.
10. Brochure & Marketing Support:
11. Assist in the creation of product brochures, providing necessary administrative support and ensuring all materials are accurate and aligned with the product range.
12. Sample Management:
13. Source and manage samples for product reviews, roadshows, and trade fairs, ensuring timely delivery and that the right products are available for promotional events.
14. Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams to ensure samples meet quality and compliance standards.
15. Meeting Support & Documentation:
16. Take minutes during team meetings and document actions, ensuring that all key discussion points and follow-ups are captured and shared with relevant stakeholders.
17. Assist with the tracking of action items to ensure follow-through and timely completion of tasks.
18. Market Research & Innovation:
19. Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify new product opportunities.
20. Support (or lead with guidance) the development of innovative solutions based on consumer insights and industry trends.
8. Supplier Income Management
21. Support with tracking and forecasting of supplier income and ensure timely invoicing in alignment with agreed contract terms.
Key Knowledge
22. Prior administrative or support experience, ideally within a buying, trading, or food solutions environment (1+ years).
23. Experience managing product and ingredient setup or supporting product launches is advantageous.
24. Exceptional organisational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
25. Strong attention to detail and ability to ensure that critical paths are adhered to and all administrative tasks are completed to a high standard.
26. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with both internal teams and external suppliers.
27. Ability to take and distribute clear and concise meeting minutes.
28. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and other relevant tools (e.g., ERP systems) for tracking product and ingredient information.
29. Ability to manage and resolve administrative challenges as they arise, ensuring smooth project and task completion.
30. Ability to work collaboratively within a team and support colleagues across various functions.
Shift Patterns
5 days a week with flexibility between 8am and 6pm