GA Pet Food Partners is a manufacturer of high-quality pet food, with the aim to deliver the world's finest. Based in Bretherton and Chorley, and employing approximately 800 colleagues, the family run business supplies to brands throughout the world. Working within a team of 3 buyers, we are responsible for the procurement of all non-production related items required by the business. This includes parts for engineering, transport, construction, stationery, hygiene, and others. Basically, anything that’s not the raw materials or packaging required by production.Key Achievements• Procurement of items to maintain stock to the agreed levels, ensuring we don’t run out of those items required regularly.• Competitively source one-off items required as and when by the business, particularly by the engineering teams.• Building relationships with suppliers that help support the needs of the business.• Identify new sources of supply and onboard if suitable.• Identify poor service levels from vendors, looking at price, reactiveness, delivery, and quality.• Work on and understand the CMMS system, used for engineering cost assessment.• Work with other teams on all matters related to the procurement of project materials, equipment, and sub-contract services.

The business is small and has a team of just 3. Working alone in the showroom and accountable for all aspects of showroom management, including customer sales, customer correspondence, measures, estimates, customer invoicing, supplier price negotiation and ordering, supplier liaison, accounts, analysis and general administration. Also manage the fitter’s diary and booking in for sub-contract fitters.Key Achievements• Understanding customers requirements to enable more appropriate product selection• Increased level of upsell on accessory items, resulting in improved margins• Reduced turnaround times from measure to estimate, improving sales conversion rates• Precise communications with fitters to ensure customer satisfaction

Accountable for leading, defining and implementing the B&M Central Services strategy, to deliver the agreed business KPIs and service levels Achievements• Translating the overall B&M strategy into a meaningful Central Service strategy and leading the cascade of this across the team• Providing a fit for purpose B&M Central Service that enables the Heads of Buying and Heads of Merchandising to achieve their overall commercial performance, maximising growth potential and mitigating risk• Implementing a radical organisational design with a cost saving of 30% of the overall head count cost• Amalgamating 2 disparate teams under 1 operating umbrella• Re-design of the QA function combining Quality, Packaging, Legislative and Ethical into “a one stop shop” introducing the business partner model• Identifying and developing strategic stakeholder relationships internally and externally that add value to the business in the short, medium and long term• Creating, analysing and interpreting complex data in product returns and quality• Mobilising the growth of the Direct Despatch function to meet the strategic growth ambitions of Buying & Merchandising

Accountable for leading, managing and delivering the administration and disposals function Achievements• Effectively converting surplus stock into revenue for the business• Driving and delivering a 300% growth in surplus optimisation and revenue creation• Determining the best trading route to maximise sales, profits and contributions of each product/publication against agreed budgets• Leading and on-boarding a growing direct despatch network by implementing an automated web based supplier portal• Increasing productivity and effectiveness of general B&M administration• Developing and setting up relevant systems of work for EGL to compete in the modern e-commerce world• Introducing and developing meaningful data collection and analysis processes to drive timely business decisions to maximise margin• Developing and mentoring internal talent from within the department to secure promotion opportunities• Objectively collated, assessed and evaluated projected publications performance on behalf of the Buying & Merchandising Dept. to proactively identify trading opportunities and risks• Leading and Managing an active E-Com trading site to meet business objectives

Accountable for the leading and managing the central administration team and the data integrity of the buying and merchandising systems.Key Achievements• Identifying and building the right data requirement for buying and merchandising to trade effectively• Reducing overall headcount costs by 60% through data rationalisation and workflow management • Identifying the technological requirements, in partnership with IT, to enabled system improvements and effective implementation across B&M• Managing the introduction of the direct dispatch methodology into the business to drive increased sales with no surplus or logistical risk• Developing the on-boarding process for all direct dispatch suppliers to ensure contractual compliance • Researching and developing the strategy to address the surplus stock across the business.

Accountable for sourcing, negotiating the best value stock from a range of overseas suppliers.Key Achievements • Identifying and developing new supplier relationships in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to meet the business objective and sourcing strategy• Managing the grey cloth and lining requirements for the business to meet the agreed budgets and KPIs• Assessing and managing the risk, quality and supply implication of new supplier relationships• Agreeing on contractual terms that protected the business and minimise the risk.

Accountable for the administration and data management, in line with critical paths for quality assurance and packing across the buying and merchandising function.

Accountable for purchasing fabric and accessories required for the manufacture of ladies’ handbags and luggage; supplied to Marks and Spencer.

Accountable for purchasing and controlling 50% of the stock range for spare electrical components; supplied to the electronic repair trade.