Senior Sourcing Manager (FTC 12 Month Contract)

Founded in May 2015, Papier is a London-based start-up that has raised ~£50 million since launch and is one of the fastest-growing start-ups in the UK. Papier’s collection of stationery products, from notebooks and diaries to notecards and wedding invitations, is designed to feed curiosity and contemplation and invite people to uncover the possibility of a blank page.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will be responsible for defining and executing our sourcing strategy for all Papier channels including D2C, Wholesale and B2B. You’ll drive impact through exceptional cost negotiations, analysing, developing and influencing business strategies and building exceptional partnerships. You will work cross functionally with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the overall critical path is delivered on time and for maximum profit. This is a 12 month contract.

Responsibilities:

• Formulate sourcing strategy across all channels taking into consideration global sourcing trends
• Apply long term strategies to manage and enhance supply partners. Continuous improvement measures must consider: business profile, factory audit, Sustainable Procurement, quality systems, service levels, cost management and Health & Safety
• Source new suppliers, negotiating all costs (material, production, labelling, packaging), MOQs and payment terms. Ensuring contracts or T&Cs are in place ahead of any firm order placement
• Responsible for leading supplier negotiations on all current suppliers to maximise margin/profit on all materials, production, labelling and packaging
• Works closely with design on NPD, ensuring we are sourcing products/materials with optimal suppliers
• Responsible for influencing product development changes/materials to ensure all products are achieving an acceptable margin
• Own, set and track overall Critical Path, ensuring we meet planned launch dates. 
• Owns all samples - initial NPD review, sales samples, retail partner samples, creative samples and any additional samples for marketing/influencers 
• Responsible for team ensuring all product attributes, weight, material, size, country of original are correct and shared with relevant Papier departments 
• Build strong relationships with suppliers to improve lead times, costs and work on continuous improvement of products.
• Ensuring any late shipments/production are communicated to business and all relevant documents are updated with new timelines.
• Undertake necessary supplier visits as and when required, including Trade shows.
• Ensure products meet quality and technical specifications working with 3rd party experts
• Work with QA to reduce returns levels and improve product quality ensuring charge back mechanisms are in place for poor quality product returns.
• Responsible for negotiating all production costs with Papier Print Partners and working on all Print NPD including any improvement projects
• Working closely with Ops to ensure all packaging and labelling specifications are adhered to as well as ensuring correct paperwork is completed by suppliers for cross border deliveries.
• Developing skills of junior team members, identifying training needs as well as encouraging effective teamwork, KPI setting and communicating clear goals/targets
• Leadership of the sourcing department, guiding on priorities, influencing, engaging and inspiring the team. 

Requirements

• An excellent track record of sourcing within a high growth business, driving cost efficiencies 
• Excellent negotiating skills
• Strong communicator who is able to influence across all levels of the business
• Analytical with the ability to understand how to calculate and hit profit and budgetary targets
• Ability to build excellent relationships with external partners
• Experience in dealing with off-shore supply
• Ability to act with pace, with excellent problem solving skills

Benefits

• We recognise the need for a work-life balance and offer a hybrid working model of 3 days in the office at Maison Papier, our lovely Camden office.
• 25 days annual leave per year + buy an extra five days.
• 20 days per year to Work from Anywhere.
• Private medical and rewards scheme with Vitality Health (including 50% off gym memberships with Virgin Active, Pure Gym and more).
• Enrolment into the Papier Pension scheme through the People Pension.
• Enhanced parental leave policies.
• Cycle to work loan scheme.
• £45 monthly cultural allowance
• £75 personal stationery allowance, and £150 to spend on our Occasion stationery for a lifetime special event
• 40% staff discount along with a family and friends discount.
• Papier with Purpose. We give back to the community and offer 2 days paid per year to volunteer for a cause you care about.
• Constant access to mental health, well-being resources and support from our in-house first aiders.
• Weekly team lunches & regular cultural trips.
• Our pooches are a part of the Papier team and you may see them from time to time in Maison Papier.
• Inclusive and friendly team who will make you feel welcome from day one.

At Papier, we believe that the diverse perspectives of all paper people deserve to be celebrated. A creative and curious community, we strive to be inclusive and equitable to all. We’re an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on any grounds. From hiring processes to day-to-day business, we aim to create an environment that is accessible and safe for everyone. We’re always working towards building a balanced and supportive workplace, with policies and ways of working to ensure everyone can make the most of their time at Papier.