Print Contracts, In-Store Creative & Compliance Lead at Boots the Chemist (2018-09 – Present)
In addition to previous role, now Contract Manager for a £105m spend over 5 years. Previous print experience & working to ISO quality standards is critical to this role to ensure best value for Boots and holding Key Suppliers to account. Manages direct mail, POS, Health & Beauty Magazine, Christmas Gift Guide and all printed materials that customers see in stores.
- In addition to my previous role, I am now Contract Manager for a £105m spend over 5 years
- Previous print experience & working to ISO quality standards is critical to this role to ensure best value for Boots and holding our Key Suppliers to account
- That is for direct mail, POS, Health & Beauty Magazine, Christmas Gift Guide and anything else that is printed, that our Customers see in our Stores
- I own the Supplier relationships and the Continuous Improvement Programme for 4 key suppliers
Print & Distribution Manager at Boots the Chemist (2014-02 – 2018-08)
Managed relationships with Global Brands (No7, Soap & Glory etc) on a Client/Supplier basis. Approved concepts, designs and prototypes for all third party units. Managed press passes, colour management, and production schedules. Worked with Legal Team on Trading Standards compliance.
- I own the relationship with our Global Brands (No7, Soap & Glory etc), managing their needs on a Client/Supplier basis
- I approve concepts/designs & prototypes for all third party units, ensuring guideline compliance & consistent quality throughout our Stores, delivering the best experience for our Customers
- Manage all Press Passes with third party Agencies & Colour management
- I ensure that agencies & suppliers adhere to the 4 week production schedule and hit all key dates
- I work with the Legal Team to ensure that all POS is compliant with Trading Standards legislation
- Continuous improvement – I am working with our key suppliers to improve allocations, drive down the number of spares produced and ensure POS lands right first time for our Stores
- Currently leading a project on Branded Free Standing Display Units to reduce 240 truck movements per year through the supply chain
- I own the In-Store Marketing Relationship with Procurement – ensuring that our current suppliers are providing best value (reduced our EPOS spend from £1.4m to £775k) through a tender
Production Manager at Boots the Chemist (2010-03 – 2014-02)
Led a Team of 14 as custodian of Boots Ease of Find principles. Communicated supplier offers to customers in the most effective way. Agreed in-store kit of parts for Corporate Events across all Store Formats. Worked with key design agency and Creative Director to develop new templates. Regularly visited stores to view implementation and review campaigns.
- Leading a Team of 14, I was the custodian of the Boots Ease of Find principles. I ensure that all Agencies & Suppliers work to these principles, delivering a compelling Customer experience
- Category colleagues agree the deals with the suppliers, it is my responsibility to communicate the offer to our Customers in the most effective way
- I agree the in-Store kit of parts for each Corporate Event across all Store Formats. I take the event treatment and apply to all base Salesplan POS, ensuring that the Customer journey is consistent from above the line activity through to in-Store implementation
- I work with our key design agency and our Creative Director to develop new templates
- I regularly visit Stores to view implementation and review campaigns. Building relationships with Store Colleagues is the best way to understand how we can do it better next time. They get the Customer insight first hand
- I also take the opportunity to spend several days a year with my Buddy Store to work through changeover(s) with them – nothing like seeing it for yourself
Design & Print Manager at Somerset County Council (2003-04 – 2010-02)
Until April 2009, managed in-house Design and Print unit with mix of litho & digital kit. Responsible for managing Design and Production teams and all professional and technical aspects of delivering the Council's print requirements on time and in budget.
- Recruited and appointed by the BPIF in April 2003 to manage a Team of 28 multi-disciplined staff
- Strong Account Management skills, managing a team of 3 Account Managers & Studio Manager
- MIS Project Manager, Producing Client Estimates, Job Bags, Costing & Invoicing
- Ad-hoc Project Management Work with in SCS Group
- Benchmarking against local trade suppliers to ensure "Best Value" to Council
- Strong negotiation and organisational skills to secure supplier contracts
- Business planning and marketing strategies to grow the business
- Meet regularly with key clients and stakeholders to plan and review production and service delivery
- Ensure the department's quality and performance standards are maintained within policy
- Recruitment selection interviews and staff development through performance reviews
- Ensure Health & Safety standards are met through regular risk and COSHH assessments
Senior Printer at Marley Floors, Lenham (2002-06 – 2003-03)
Producing high quality digital print film for bespoke laminated flooring.
- Managed day-to-day running of the print room, ensuring ISO standards were met and adhered to
- Prioritising and scheduling work for self and team on a Xeikon digital press
- Liasing with trade clients and flooring production team to ensure a high quality finished product
Document Production Manager at Pfizer Ltd (1991-04 – 2002-06)
Joined busy in-house reprographic unit as litho machine minder, producing high quality stationery & packaging products for a site of over 6,000 staff. Claim to fame was producing the Viagra submission document - 11 million pages distributed to regulatory agencies around the globe, in record time.
- Responsible for 6 digital presses (running 24hr shift) and fleet of 400 local multifunctional devices
- Managed total of 32 staff, including Despatch Team, working double day & 24hr shifts
- Worked with colleagues and stakeholders in Materials Management & Regulatory Affairs
- Managed short run packaging trials for Regulatory approval
- Project Lead in set up of European Document Production Unit
- Produced new product submissions, response and associated documents (electronic & hard copy)
- Unit was set up to produce 3 product submissions per annum – produced 9 in the first 15 months
Litho Machine Minder at CJ Bennetts (1989-11 – 1991-04)
Litho Machine Minder at MP Harris Builders Merchants (1985-09 – 1989-11)
