We’re looking for a sourcing, procurement or supply chain professional to join the team as a Global Sourcing Controller. This commercially focused role manages products through sourcing, procurement and manufacturing, while building supplier relationships and supporting value, quality, service and security of supply.
Managing the delivery of 24,000+ items annually across 15 suppliers, you’ll play an important role in maintaining product availability, supporting commercial performance and delivering a reliable service to customers. You’ll also contribute to supplier sourcing, tendering, contract negotiation, performance management and procurement strategy.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll take ownership of sourcing and procurement activity from purchase order handoff through production and delivery. Responsibilities include:
• Managing purchase orders through to delivery, resolving discrepancies and keeping orders on track.
• Monitoring global production and coordinating customer and Private Label delivery schedules to meet demand and deadlines.
• Working closely with suppliers to manage production capacity, lead times, costs, quality and delivery performance across a portfolio of suppliers and procurement categories.
• Manage a portfolio of suppliers and procurement categories, ensuring optimum quality, service, cost and delivery performance.
• Leading or supporting supplier sourcing, tendering, benchmarking, RFQs and contract negotiations.
• Developing supplier agreements and contractual arrangements to support sustainable commercial outcomes.
• Evaluating supplier performance through reviews, audits and KPIs, and identifying opportunities to improve cost, quality, delivery, service and efficiency.
• Assessing supplier and procurement risk, including capacity, financial stability, continuity planning and diversification.
• Resolving production or shipment delays collaboratively with suppliers and internal teams.
• Providing volume and material forecasts and supporting inventory planning to maintain continuity of supply while balancing service, stockholding and working capital requirements.
• Monitoring market and industry developments to identify opportunities for the business.
• Supporting compliance and audit readiness, including FSC, EUTR and retailer requirements.
• Supporting procurement strategy, cross-functional projects and improvements to sourcing processes and systems across UK, Asia and US operations.
Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for someone with experience in global sourcing, procurement, supply chain or a related area. Experience in a fast-paced, multi-product or multi-customer environment would be helpful, and we welcome candidates with transferable experience from other sectors or settings.
You’ll be able to organise and manage multiple priorities, work to important deadlines and maintain accuracy. You’ll enjoy collaborating with others and building constructive relationships with suppliers and colleagues across different teams and locations.
We welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate some of the following:
• Experience in global sourcing, procurement, purchasing, manufacturing or supply chain.
• Supplier relationship management and commercial or contract negotiation experience.
• Commercial awareness, including an understanding of costs, inventory and business performance.
• Experience with strategic sourcing, tendering, benchmarking or category management.
• An understanding of supplier performance, risk assessment, audits or continuity planning.
• Effective organisation, planning and project coordination, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• An analytical, solutions-focused approach with attention to detail and the ability to use data to support decisions.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel and Office; familiarity with MRP or ERP systems would be useful.
• Clear communication and the ability to work effectively with suppliers, colleagues and stakeholders.
• An interest in improving and documenting processes and ways of working.
A degree, CIPS qualification or equivalent procurement experience would be useful. We recognise, however, that relevant capability can be developed through different career paths and encourage you to apply if you believe your experience equips you for the role.
Knowledge of product costing, production, sourcing in Asia, marketing processes, card and gift-dressing specifications or similar ERP systems would be useful, but isn’t essential.
If you don’t meet every point but believe your skills and experience are relevant, we encourage you to apply.
Working relationships
You’ll report to the Global Sourcing Team Leader and collaborate with teams including Product Management, Creative, Marketing, Inventory, Customer Delivery, Warehouse Operations, Finance, Procurement, Audit and Legal Compliance.
Externally, you’ll build positive relationships with suppliers in the UK and internationally and our sourcing teams in Asia to support agreed cost, quality, service and delivery requirements.
This role has no direct line management responsibility, although you may share knowledge and support colleagues across the team.
What will help you succeed
You’ll be comfortable taking responsibility for your work, using your judgement and collaborating with others to move things forward. You’ll prioritise effectively, raise concerns constructively and work with suppliers and colleagues to reach practical, commercially considered solutions.
You’ll coordinate multiple products, suppliers and deadlines, identifying potential issues early while balancing attention to detail with wider commercial priorities.
We value different experiences, perspectives and ways of working and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. If you need reasonable adjustments or support during recruitment, please let us know.