Description
Summary
Purpose:
To co-ordinate the external procurement/sourcing requirements for Production and Logistics operations, including internal department requests and our centres of printed material and stationary. To assess and project manage the jobs with external suppliers to ensure that requirements are met and that the material is completed in time for delivery at out 3rd party distributers. Landscape:
The Print & Material Planner is a new key role within the department, responsible for ensuring that all print and material specifications are correctly supplied by internal customers, providing advice and guidance when necessary, subsequently ensuring jobs are produced and delivered to specification and time.
This role leads the outsourcing of print which can’t be scheduled into the Manchester internal print unit, liaising with the Manchester team, ensuring print jobs are routed correctly by considering production time and cost. This role reports to one of the managers in the Production and Logistics Management Team who in turn reports to the Head of Production and Logistics, a member of our Operations Senior Leadership Team.
The role will work closely with Secure Print team and Logistics team with regard to outbound delivery schedules.
The role has regular contact with our external print and logistics suppliers and is a key interface to other AQA teams e.g. Customer and Sales
Projects in this area for 2023/24 include: Helping to shape the new procedures and guidance for this new role. Working with the management team to ensure we are getting value for money during a supplier review in 2024, question paper print cost optimisation.
Activities:
Customer service – Build exceptional relationships with internal customers and external suppliers, working collaboratively across teams to ensure the supply chain meets their needs.
Specification Management – Collect needs from internal customers regarding print requirements and material ensuring that everything is collected and understood to pass this for jobbing to external suppliers
Subject Matter Expert Advice – Using existing or learned knowledge, provide assessment of jobs and advice in conjunction with the suppliers in relation to cost effective production, with consideration of elements such as paper, finishing, formatting and delivery Service delivery - Ensure the plans are delivered consistently through agreed best practice processes, adhering to time, cost and quality expectations. Liaise with teams throughout the supply chain - including third parties - to deliver the best possible customer experience, working flexibly to incorporate feedback and requested changes.
Resolution of issues – Take ownership of escalated customer issues as required, ensuring the outcomes meet or exceed customer expectations. Manage relationships with customers, suppliers and associates alike in line with AQA standards, delivering a great experience.
Driving improvements – Work with the Production and Logistics Managers and respective teams to drive best practice and quality improvements. Championing planning and lean process improvements across the Operations Group
Risk management – Maintain a clear overview of risks and escalate appropriately where new risks are identified or existing risks change
Need to know (to be successful in this role, you will need to know):
Highly desirable to be a subject matter expert in the procurement and production of printed material or possess the learning skills necessary to be upskilled at pace
A good understanding of the AQA supply chain relevant to our centres and associates
A people orientated person who is comfortable to build relationships and has influencing and conflict management abilities
To have or be able to develop good project management skills and be able to operate relatively interpedently leading on task
Able to multitask under pressure and comfortable with handling lots of information