Branded Merchandise Specialist
Department: Client Services
Location: Hybrid
Reporting to: Category Director – Branded Merchandise
Role overview
The Branded Merchandise Specialist will work within our successful Branded Merchandise team and also work with other teams across the APS business to ensure the success and profitability of the category. This role will also support the Category Director and Category Manager to execute our Branded Merchandise strategy and process, from brief to delivery
Key responsibilities
Work with the client service teams and clients to ensure that briefs are correctly defined, asking for clarifications when necessary or possible, to have enough information to share with supply partners to ensure the best solutions
Respond to briefs and provide the best Branded Merchandise proposals or supplier options to the APS Client Service teams
Proactively provide suggestions that are appropriate for our clients
Interact with our client services teams and clients to understand their business and discover opportunities to grow our relationship and the branded merchandise category
To have an understanding or the aptitude to learn about social compliance requirements for our suppliers, to include, factory audit requirements, product testing and quality control
Have the drive and focus to provide Merchandise proposals to create client delight and generate a return on investment for the client
To support the Branded Merchandise Category Manager and our New Business Team with tender pricing and proposals, when required
Collaborate with our preferred suppliers to constantly propose the best-in‐class solutions to our clients – attractive products, competitive pricing, lead‐times that meet the client's needs
Engage with our preferred supply partners to get the best results and ensure a strong partnership
Constantly seek product innovations to share with the APS business and our clients, including sustainable options
Attend Trade Shows to identify potential new suppliers and innovations
Work together with the Category Director, Category Manager and Client Services Teams on strategic account plans for Branded Merchandise
Support Category Director and Category Manager with reporting requirements and data analysis to drive recommendations
Deliver against client KPI's and other targets to meet contractual obligations
Support Client Service teams with the development of Global/Regional/Client/Brand catalogues for Merchandise
Collaborate with colleagues and suppliers to contribute to maximising the profitability of the category
Essential skills and criteria required
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Preferably prior experience working with Branded Merchandise, from a supplier, marketing services or client company
Passion and love for Branded Merchandise
Have an understanding of technology & systems and have the ability to learn to work with different systems correctly and quickly
Able to meet and report on SLA's/KPI's if required
Results oriented
Ability to take project briefs and manage client/internal stakeholder expectations
Numerical skills and commercial awareness
To have a keen interest in current affairs to be able to identify macro environment factors which could have a direct impact on branded merchandise pricing, quality or logistics
Microsoft office advanced user, particularly Powerpoint and Excel
Flexible and robust attitude and ability to work to deadlines
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Fluent English required and desirably French or Spanish as a second language
Relation management: Develop and maintain a strong relationship with client and internal stakeholders
Priority Setting: Plans and organizes work activities. Knows what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal
Teamwork: Works with and helps others to accomplish goals
How to apply
Please send your CV to recruitment@theapsgroup.com
We're an equal opportunities employer. If you need this information in a different format, contact us at the same email or call +44 (0)161 495 4500. All appointments are subject to DBS and financial checks.
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