Print & Material Planner (Outsourcing)

AQA Education Ltd; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization in Guildford is seeking a Print & Material Planner to coordinate procurement for print operations. The ideal candidate will balance production time and cost while building strong relationships with suppliers. This hybrid role offers a competitive salary of £28,000 - £31,300 and opportunities for improvement and flexibility. Join a team committed to diversity and excellence in education, impacting learners nationwide.

Benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Opportunities for improvement

Support for work-life balance

Qualifications

• Experience or ability to learn about print procurement and production.
• Understanding of supply chain processes and fostering strong relationships.
• Ability to influence and resolve customer issues positively.

Responsibilities

• Manage print and material specifications accurately.
• Coordinate outsourced print jobs, balancing time and cost.
• Drive improvements in processes and cost optimization.

Skills

Print procurement knowledge

Supply chain understanding

Project management skills

Relationship building

Problem-solving abilities

Job description

Print & Material Planner (Outsourcing) page is loaded## Print & Material Planner (Outsourcing)locations: Guildfordtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Yesterdayjob requisition id: R7191**At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.****Job title: Print & Material Planner** **Contract type: Permanent** **Location: Guildford** **Salary: £28,000 - £31,300** **Working arrangements: Hybrid – two days a week in the office**As a Print & Material Planner you’ll play a key role in ensuring that every print and material specification is delivered accurately and on time. This is an opportunity to work at the heart of AQA’s operations, supporting the delivery of high-quality assessments that make a real difference to learners.You’ll manage the outsourcing of print jobs that can’t be scheduled internally, from banners to brochures, ensuring cost-effective and timely production. You’ll work closely with internal teams and external suppliers to keep our supply chain running smoothly and efficiently.**Key responsibilities**In this role, you’ll be responsible for:* Managing print and material specifications, providing expert advice to internal customers and suppliers.* Coordinating outsourced print jobs, balancing production time and cost to meet deadlines.* Driving improvements in processes and cost optimisation across print and logistics operations.**What we are looking for**You’ll thrive in this role if you:* Have experience or the ability to quickly learn about print procurement and production.* Understand supply chain processes and can build strong relationships across teams.* Are confident influencing and resolving issues while maintaining a positive customer experience.* Can manage multiple tasks under pressure and work independently on projects.* Have or can develop strong project management skills.**What’s in it for you**This role offers:* The chance to shape new procedures and guidance for a key operational role.* Opportunities to contribute to supplier reviews and cost optimisation projects.* A collaborative environment where your ideas for improvement are valued.* Flexibility and support for work-life balance.* A culture that champions diversity, inclusion, and continuous learning.**Diversity and inclusion statement**At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background—is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.**Application process*** To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role by **23.59 on Sunday 11 January.*** Interviews will take place on 21 and 23 January in the Guildford office.**#CRE23****Recruitment Agencies**We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.# # # **Full Job Description****Summary**Purpose: To co-ordinate the external procurement/sourcing requirements for Production and Logistics operations, including internal department requests and our centres of printed material and stationary. To assess and project manage the jobs with external suppliers to ensure that requirements are met and that the material is completed in time for delivery at out 3rd party distributers. Landscape: The Print & Material Planner is a new key role within the department, responsible for ensuring that all print and material specifications are correctly supplied by internal customers, providing advice and guidance when necessary, subsequently ensuring jobs are produced and delivered to specification and time. This role leads the outsourcing of print which can’t be scheduled into the Manchester internal print unit, liaising with the Manchester team, ensuring print jobs are routed correctly by considering production time and cost. This role reports to one of the managers in the Production and Logistics Management Team who in turn reports to the Head of Production and Logistics, a member of our Operations Senior Leadership Team. The role will work closely with Secure Print team and Logistics team with regard to outbound delivery schedules. The role has regular contact with our external print and logistics suppliers and is a key interface to other AQA teams e.g. Customer and Sales Projects in this area for 2023/24 include: Helping to shape the new procedures and guidance for this new role. Working with the management team to ensure we are getting value for money during a supplier review in 2024, question paper print cost optimisation. Activities: Customer service – Build exceptional relationships with internal customers and external suppliers, working collaboratively across teams to ensure the supply chain meets their needs. Specification Management – Collect needs from internal customers regarding print requirements and material ensuring that everything is collected and understood to pass this for jobbing to external suppliers Subject Matter Expert Advice – Using existing or learned knowledge, provide assessment of jobs and advice in conjunction with the suppliers in relation to cost effective production, with consideration of elements such as paper, finishing, formatting and delivery Service delivery - Ensure the plans are delivered consistently through agreed best practice processes, adhering to time, cost and quality expectations. Liaise with teams throughout the supply chain - including third parties - to deliver the best possible customer experience, working flexibly to incorporate feedback and requested changes. Resolution of issues – Take ownership of escalated customer issues as required, ensuring the outcomes meet or exceed customer expectations. Manage relationships with customers, suppliers and associates alike in line with AQA standards, delivering a great experience. Driving improvements – Work with the Production and Logistics Managers and respective teams to drive best practice and quality improvements. Championing planning and lean process improvements across the Operations Group Risk management – Maintain a clear overview of risks and escalate appropriately where new risks are identified or existing risks change Need to know (to be successful in this role, you will need to know): Highly desirable to be a subject matter expert in the procurement and production of printed material or possess the learning skills necessary to be upskilled at pace A good understanding of the AQA supply chain relevant to our centres and associates A people orientated person who is comfortable to build relationships and has influencing and conflict management abilities To have or be able to develop good project management skills and be able to operate relatively interpedently leading on task Able to multitask under pressure and comfortable with handling lots of informationAQA is an independent charity that sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A-levels in the UK every year. Our purpose is to advance education by helping students and teachers to realise their potential. As part of AQA, you’ll very quickly appreciate the determination and unwavering passion to deliver this goal in everything we do. To help drive these ambitions, AQA invests