Paper and Commercial Print Category Lead

The Paper and Commercial Print Lead is responsible for the execution of a category management approach across the whole of the John Lewis Partnership. Managing a specified portfolio of paper purchasing, publishing, direct mail, and commercial print requirements with a focus on compliance, driven efficiencies, risk mitigation, and a reduction in the total cost of ownership for the group. The Category Lead is responsible for conducting internal and external analyses and engaging effectively with stakeholders to determine optimum sourcing strategies.

The Category Lead will liaise with the Commercial Director on a regular basis to provide updates on category performance and provide additional insight through reporting and commentary as required. They will manage the relationships with suppliers and monitor supplier performance and interface with the Business to understand demand for and the impact of sourcing activities.

This role will be working remotely, but with regular travel to John Lewis Partnership + ITG sites in Bracknell, London and Birmingham, so flexibility around travel is important.

Key Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Management

• Engage deeply with both internal and external stakeholders, including technical specialists and suppliers, to align category strategies with corporate objectives, fostering productive relationships and streamlined consultation processes to enhance procurement efficiency and reduce redundancy.

Operational Activity

• Execute category management in line with GNFR procurement strategies, ensuring achievement of targets like cost reduction and quality improvements, while building organisational capability in category management and mitigating supply risks in volatile markets.

Market Analysis and Benchmarking

• Lead in acquiring and applying expert knowledge of the paper and commercial print supply chain for continuous improvement, managing tender lifecycles, and developing procurement strategies based on market trends, to ensure supplier performance and create effective rate methodologies for commercial success.

Category Spend Analysis

• Analyse category spending to identify savings opportunities, strategic value, and compliance levels, managing supplier performance to exceed contractual obligations, reducing risk through contractual rigor, and enhancing supply chain quality and sustainability.

Compliance

• Assist with audit activities and support environmental and social responsibility initiatives, maintaining a robust control environment, ensuring compliance, and accurately documenting all category-related operations.

Requirements

• Broad knowledge of paper purchasing and the nauseas of the market globally.
• A good understanding of the UK and European commercial print markets to support in the procurement of publishing, direct mail, and commercial print requirements.
• Good understanding and experience of Category Management and its implementation.
• Minimum of 3 years procurement experience in a similar industry would be advantageous.
• CIPS qualification preferred but not essential.
• Ability to influence people outside own sphere of responsibility.
• Advanced negotiation skills.
• Highly numerate.

Benefits

Work’s a treat!

On top of a competitive salary, you can expect a whole load of perks:

• 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays – we understand the importance of you getting some down time.

• Annual Wellbeing Day – enjoy an additional day on us to look after your physical and mental wellbeing.

• Pension Scheme – helping you save towards your retirement home in the sun!

• Corporate Medical Cash Plan – claim back the cost of your medical treatments.

• Smart Working Options – spend up to 40% of your working week from home.

• So many savings – through our online community platform, you can access dozens of daily deals, from money off top brands to discounts on days out.

• Employee Assistance Programme – our people are at the heart of everything we do, so if you’re happy, we’re happy.

• Cycle to Work Scheme – save on the cost of biking to work.

• Monthly Employee Awards - Employee of the Month programme with £250 bonus

• Raising money for charity including a paid Volunteer Day – we’re all about giving back… and having lots of fun in the process!

• Referral scheme – know the perfect person to join the team? You could bag £1,500 for a putting a good word in.

• Wellbeing Programme – giving you the opportunity to join regular, interactive Wellbeing Workshops or join our 30 plus Wellbeing Champions.

• Enhanced Family Friendly Leave – support for you and your family to help you navigate through the craziness of family life.

We Value Diversity

We champion and welcome diversity in our workforce and ensure all job applicants receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality.

We are not only committed to increasing the visibility and recognition of talent from under-represented groups within our organisation, but the wider industry too.

At the end of the day, we make sure we take time to look after ourselves, each other, and the planet, because we’re always stronger together.

ITG have a number of community groups available to employees and exist to offer a safe space for like-minded colleagues, with shared interests to connect, socialise and check in with each other.

These include Black ITGers Together, LGBTQ+ Together, Mens Health Together, Muslims Together, Neurodiversity Together, Working Parents and Carers Together and Women In Tech Together.

What next?

If you found yourself interested in knowing more, drop us your application and someone from our team will be in touch.

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