Senior Merchandiser

Rhino Manufacturing are looking for a Senior Merchandiser for a client of ours in the South Wales area. Job Purpose Control the purchasing function from companies site base on client portfolio of customers. Ensuring the business has the right product, with the right cost for the raw materials. Deputing for the Director in Sales in the same portfolio of customers Representing the sales director in sales functions as required. Key Responsibilities · Maintain control of the sourcing process with HK office (SWA) and internal parties to ensure best practice sourcing and pricing for the portfolio. · Maintain on-going price files for the portfolio, whilst ensuring synergy is maintained between price and specification through liaison with design and production to ensure cost, complexity or risk is managed out of the product prior to it being specified. · Working with the Director, control and manage pricing and customer agreements, delivery times and quality in line with customer specifications and capability of manufacturing. · When representing the Director to Customers you will ensure good, accurate information in a timely fashion to him, the customer and relevant stakeholders, this will also mean making visits to customers with him and in his absence. · You will enhance the building of customer relationships with direct contact in your own right and as the Director’s deputy. · Ensure that major selling decisions are escalated to the Director. · Maintain accurate specifications of products and manage any change to product lines with the supplier/ HK office whilst advising sales team of any timing issues, cost aspects and solutions. Ensure that timely solutions are found and put in place. · Make sure that all design work, artwork and specification is as per the final product specification and there are no surprises. · Deal with supply side queries (including price) and always seek on going continuous improvement and lessons learnt. · Ensuring that there is consistency of approach and full accuracy in documentation and processes, maintaining this and improving it in consultation with the Design Studio and Sales/Accounting staff. Liaise proactively with internal departments for best solutions. · Management of materials movements and ensuring all relevant stakeholders are kept informed. · Set and manage supplier KPI's and ensuring these are met and achieved. · Ensure any deficiency is appropriately dealt with. · Manage the supply base taking into account the company's and the customer's requirements for Audits, Ethical Approach, up to date product safety etc. · Undertake UK and foreign travel as required to support the buying and supply process. Experience Must have experience of trading and liaising with the far east to source cheaper products Can demonstrate that they have worked in this type of challenging environment. Experience of working with complex products Complex manufacturing in UK / Overseas Skills Confident communicator and needs to be experienced in building relationships. Commercially aware and astute from both buying and selling perspective. Very strong negotiation and selling skills with the ability to influence senior contacts Understand and keep on top of current trend changes Values Flexible approach to working hours (Must) Solution focused Team player Education Minimum A level standard English/Maths. Full driving license Good IT skills Ideally an understanding of printing process and design