AD Branded Solutions Watermark
A.D.

Commercial Operations Manager

  • Job title: Commercial Operations Manager
  • Contract: Permanent
  • Reference ID: ADComm001

We’re looking for an experienced and talented Operations Manager to join our Commercial Team and help us in key areas of growth.

Commercial Team meeting

What we are looking for

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and highly motivated Commercial Operations Manager to oversee all aspects of A.D’s operations. The individual will ensure that our administration processes run smoothly and efficiently delivering high quality service and products to our customers as sustainably as possible.

We are looking for hands-on and inspirational leadership working closely with our talented team, based predominantly at our head office in Trafford, Manchester. You will be responsible for key areas of our operation including administration, logistics, distribution, purchasing, compliance, and stakeholder management, all while driving improvement and use of technology in our business.

This is a varied and exciting role for an individual with a passion for improvement and personal growth in a company that handsomely rewards hard work and success.

We are looking for an individual with strong commercial awareness who can lead by example displaying strong interpersonal, coaching skills, IT and problem-solving skills.

Key Duties

Reporting to our Directors you will head up and take overall control for our Operations function, as a senior team member you will be responsible for ensuring that total customer satisfaction is achieved through our entire team, key responsibilities include:

Internal team, service delivery, compliance & testing

  • Ensure the successful delivery of all business purchases which total £4m+
  • Complete project management in manufacture of bespoke products manufactured off-shore.
  • Develop and manage our buying team and systems to ensure all customer projects are successfully delivered on time, every time to exceed customer expectations.
  • Ensure product compliance and testing obligations are met and technical documents stored.
  • Review of operational processes including customer journey.
  • Staff development plans, 1 to 1’s and appraisals devised and implemented.
  • Committed to the A.D. Academy and its future growth and development of young talent.
  • Review and implement service and quality process improvements throughout the business
  • Tailor product and service delivery to key customers’ operational requirements
  • Ensuring key customer KPI’s are achieved and reported at agreed set intervals
  • Keep up to date with legislation changes

Supply chain, distribution, logistics and 3PL management

  • Co-ordinate UK / European & global distribution, logistics ensuring shipping documents and customs requirements are fully met.
  • Management of couriers, freight forwarders and agents in the delivery of goods globally.
  • Manage and develop relationship and services with 3PL partners against agreed KPI’s
  • Control stock management and forecasting of contracted key customer goods at 3PL
  • Management and improvement of customer webstores including implementation and functionality.
  • Management and development of key supplier partnership ensuring service, delivery, competitive pricing, rebate contracts and complaint resolution where required.
  • Supplier social and environmental audits and corrective action plans overseen and implemented.
  • Attend trade shows to develop supply chain network to drive sales & growth of business.
  • Ensure all agreed supplier KPI’s and SLA’s are achieved.

Sales and Business Development

  • Help A.D. achieve Sales and Gross Profit budgets or better
  • Pro-actively support the Account Management team and Directors in developing sustainable, creative product and service solutions
  • Support in new business acquisition and tender responses
  • Ensure customer KPI’s are achieved and reported
  • Improve Gross Profit through cost savings, better buying opportunities, process and project management efficiencies.

Internal team, service delivery, compliance & testing

  • Ensure the successful delivery of all business purchases which total £4m+
  • Complete project management in manufacture of bespoke products manufactured off-shore.
  • Develop and manage our buying team and systems to ensure all customer projects are successfully delivered on time, every time to exceed customer expectations.
  • Ensure product compliance and testing obligations are met and technical documents stored.
  • Review of operational processes including customer journey.
  • Staff development plans, 1 to 1’s and appraisals devised and implemented.
  • Committed to the A.D. Academy and its future growth and development of young talent.
  • Review and implement service and quality process improvements throughout the business
  • Tailor product and service delivery to key customers’ operational requirements
  • Ensuring key customer KPI’s are achieved and reported at agreed set intervals
  • Keep up to date with legislation changes

Supply chain, distribution, logistics and 3PL management

  • Co-ordinate UK / European & global distribution, logistics ensuring shipping documents and customs requirements are fully met.
  • Management of couriers, freight forwarders and agents in the delivery of goods globally.
  • Manage and develop relationship and services with 3PL partners against agreed KPI’s
  • Control stock management and forecasting of contracted key customer goods at 3PL
  • Management and improvement of customer webstores including implementation and functionality.
  • Management and development of key supplier partnership ensuring service, delivery, competitive pricing, rebate contracts and complaint resolution where required.
  • Supplier social and environmental audits and corrective action plans overseen and implemented.
  • Attend trade shows to develop supply chain network to drive sales & growth of business.
  • Ensure all agreed supplier KPI’s and SLA’s are achieved.

Sales and Business Development

  • Help A.D. achieve Sales and Gross Profit budgets or better
  • Pro-actively support the Account Management team and Directors in developing sustainable, creative product and service solutions
  • Support in new business acquisition and tender responses
  • Ensure customer KPI’s are achieved and reported
  • Improve Gross Profit through cost savings, better buying opportunities, process and project management efficiencies.

E.S.G. and accreditations

  • Responsibility for maintaining ISO 9001 / 14001:2015 manuals, processes and audits.
  • Develop A.D.’s E.S.G credentials and attain B-Corp certification & BPMA Step Forward
  • Manage relationship with our E.S.G consultants as we work towards Net Zero by 2035 – SBTi’s and reduction of carbon and waste
  • Work towards ISO 27001 accreditation – Information Security Management System
  • Maintaining & updating company policy and handbook
  • CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) disclosure
  • Delivery of environmental aims and objectives
  • Implement sustainability strategy across the company
  • Ongoing training of internal team
  • Maintain Health & Safety standards
  • Explore other accreditations that may support in the growth of A.D.

Technology and Data

  • Improved use of our current CRM software (Promoserve) driving efficiency and process improvements and integration across departments and company functions.
  • Potential introduction of new CRM software to improve management of process, operations and customer service.
  • Drive the use of software and technology in the business
  • Promote a data driven approach – Power-Bi / Promoserve / Xero / Marketing / Website / other software with integration and efficiencies where possible.
  • Input in the development and promotion of A.D.’s corporate & product websites to increase visibility and incoming opportunities.
  • Development of new customer webstore offering improved flexibility and functionality to support the sales function and our customer base.

Direction & Management

  • Support the Directors and wider team in driving sales, efficiencies, profitability and overall growth of people and the business
  • Maximise performance of the team through positive and effective leadership, combined with support and coaching
  • To form and maintain a culture where individual/team development is encouraged and service standards constantly reviewed and improved upon
  • The ability to be able to identify new opportunities and develop strategies for exploiting them
  • Exploration of new markets / potential acquisitions
  • Support Directors in executing agreed company strategy
  • Opportunity to step up to Director level and be part of profit related bonus scheme
  • Ad-hoc and special projects to support the Directors.
  • Opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping strategy and future growth of the business

Essentials Skills, Knowledge and Experience

  • A minimum 5 years’ experience in a commercial operational role.
  • Supplier management experience with track record of building & maintaining strong relationships
  • Knowledge of sourcing and producing products from UK, China, worldwide.
  • Strong strategic and commercial acumen evidenced
  • Proven track record of managing and developing teams.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong organisational skills with ability to prioritise and project manage
  • High level of interpersonal and coaching skills – we are a people centred organisation.
  • Excellent I.T. and reporting skills in Excel and other software.
  • You must be professional, thorough and show high levels of detail.
  • Organised, presentable and strong presentation skills
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and be able to devise and implement strategies to benefit both the company and the client using your own initiative.
  • Energetic and creative thinker that promotes and encourages inclusion
  • Willing to commit to the hard work and time required to make the role a success.

What we are offering

  • Attractive salary & profit related bonus scheme
  • Travel expenses
  • 33 Days holiday inclusive of bank holidays
  • Westfield Health, children under 16 also covered.
  • Pension contributions and life insurance.
  • Membership to Westfield Rewards scheme
  • Fantastic central location, office and local amenities.
  • On-site gym, bicycle facilities, shower and changing facilities
  • Electric car scheme
  • Onsite car parking space
  • Opportunity to progress to Director level

Does this sound like you? Let’s talk!

    AD Branded Solutions Watermark AD Branded Solutions Watermark 2

    Overview of A.D

    As a leading supplier of branded merchandise in the UK, A.D. Branded solutions are looking for an experienced Commercial Operations Manager to help us on the next step of our journey.

    We help brands who need a relationship with a supplier they can trust and we focus on creative solutions and genuine connection with our customers, driven by our passion to operate sustainably and do business the right way.

    We are trusted by a number of high-profile customers including Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley Motors and Liverpool FC.

    Our core services include dedicated account management, creative services, global sourcing, hosted webstores with off-site warehousing and fulfilment.

    We are certified Carbon Neutral and are aiming to be Net Zero by 2035. Our E.S.G initiatives lie at the heart of our strategy and we are committed to INSPIRING BRANDS: EMBRACING CHANGE.

    We are based in a contemporary office space at Trafford House in Old Trafford.

    #WeAreTeamAD

    Here at A.D., we’re all about creating experiences, not just branded products.

    It’s important to our clients that they have a real relationship with a supplier they can trust – so they can connect with their customers in a creative, fresh way. That’s why we focus on delivering innovative, creative solutions backed by the best teamwork in the industry.

    And we don’t stop there! Taking care of the environment and giving back to the community is just as important to us. It seems a lot, but it means a lot to us.

    If all that resonates with you, you could be one of our awesome A.D. people too!

    We’re on a mission to find hungry, ambitious A.D. people who are inspired by our culture of real understanding and collaboration. We’re looking for people who are driven to go above and beyond for our clients; we need people who want only the best for them – and are ready to show that we care about them and their brand as much as they do.

    Sound like you?

    The together effect

    Team A.D. know that we’re contributing to something special. We’ve played our part in defining who we are, and we’re proud of what we can achieve together and encourage each other every step of the way.

    We want our customers to have a great experience, and we recognise that it starts with us. We’re stronger together, and we nurture our relationships with each other and our planet.  Because that means we can always do our best for our clients, and create the most innovative branded solutions – responsibly, creatively and courageously.

    It’s a new movement in our sector. We call it creative connections.

    A.D. people are..

    • Planet-positive ambassadors for sustainable solutions and doing right by our planet.
    • A.D.-vocates (A.D.’s biggest fans).
    • People who thrive as part of a brand-centric team, who really engage and truly express who we are and align themselves with our brand and values.
    • Relationship-builders and nurturers.
    • Supportive and inspiring to their colleagues and clients.
    • Great listeners who love to collaborate and work with others.
    • Innovative with a thirst to challenge the status quo.
    • Role models in all they do – both inside and outside the company.
    • Cool-headed and calm; acting professionally in any situation.
    • Lovers of teamwork, togetherness and personal growth.
    • Fantastic communicators with great people skills.
    • Calm and personable with customers.
    • Driven to sell, with a focus on doing the right thing.
    • Focused on attention to detail.
    • Organised and meet deadlines.
    • Passionate about going above and beyond for customers.
    • Devoted to understanding the client’s needs and deciphering them quickly.
    • Effective at delegating.
    • Continually demonstrating best practices.

    There are perks, too!

    • Attractive salary + bonus.
    • 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
    • Working in a fulfilling, rewarding environment that will support and encourage career development.
    • Be part of a dynamic, supportive team of heroes.
    • Training and development.
    • Our company is an accredited Real Living Wage employer.
    • Healthcare provision (which includes dental care, mental health referrals, and medical scans).
    • A comfortable, open office with fantastic views of Old Trafford and an abundance of natural light (you’ll love it even if you’re not a Manchester United fan).
    • Located near transport connections and MediaCity, with easy access to both.
    • Free gym, cycling hub and showers available on site.
    • #WeAreTeaMad – so you’re never without a cuppa (coffee and soft drinks are always stocked too).

    Fairness statement

    We believe in a diverse, inclusive culture. So, any application from a suitable candidate will be considered, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age or disability.