ROLE SUMMARY We are recruiting for a Programme Manager. This is a full time and demanding project planning position where previous experience of project planning is essential. Based at various locations (studio, home, our client’s head office), the successful candidate will work alongside the client’s teams, suppliers and our SGK Operations / Commercial teams. It would be preferable if the applicant has either retail or FMCG markets project planning experience. The successful applicant will need to be proficient in Microsoft Excel in order to provide detailed reports to all relevant stakeholders. A consistently professional approach of the highest standards is absolutely key with a passion for working with people as a client service advisor. This demanding role requires an individual with impeccable organisation, presentation and communication skills who can illustrate their experience in multitasking and ‘cradle to grave project management’. This role will be to support the Sainsbury’s teams in establishing true project pipeline volumes, regularly reviewing, and communicating status /changes / volume ‘hot spots’, providing visibility of workload across all stakeholders. Another key part of the role will be to be the main co-ordinator of the ‘master project plan’ for all artworks. Your role will be to ensure this data is approved by the relevant Sainsbury’s stakeholders, reporting any issues to the Commercial and Packaging team for resolution ahead of artwork production. RESPONSIBILITIES To work with our client’s stakeholder and supply base to obtain, lock down and track volumes, challenging peaks and troughs for both NPD, EPD & BAU volumes • Working with the clients Product Planning document, review projects at sku level and establish volumes per project in terms of artwork components before adding volumes to SGK’s capacity planner • Create an overall master project plan / critical path of all work in order to ensure SGK on site and Operations are aware of the volumes and that client demands are met • Ensure volume requirements are communicated to all SGK production sites via weekly forums and establish communication protocols • Replan critical paths and capacity planner when work deviates from the master plan and initiate effectively escalate and communicate contingency plans for a resolution ensuring client demands can be met (e.g., revised FTP dates/Fast Track process) • Cross reference project plan against capacity planner weekly and update changes to ensure 100% accuracy. Target planning accuracy is 85% 4 weeks before work hits production studio’s • Working with clients Project Manager, establish a process for managing BAU work • Work strategically and co-operatively across the categories, suppliers and design agency in order to maintain efficient work levels whilst still delivering the agreed plan in line with Sainsbury’s expectation and requirements • Working with key stakeholders, ensure volumes are captured onto our internal Capacity planning documentation and work with operations mangers to ensure efficient production / project planning denoting swings in volume planning each week • Work with Product Development, Technology, Buying, Project Managers, Suppliers and design to ensure regional variants, packaging formats are captured at Project kick off. • 4 weeks before handover off all elements, re-communicate the FINAL volumes with key dates to stakeholders • Be responsible for communication when packaging elements are required, approx. 1 – 3 weeks in advance of critical path DDD • Alongside this the programme manager is to work with Onsite Commercial Team supporting them in all aspects of project planning and data management providing visibility of workload across all stakeholders. • Support on-site Sainsbury’s Project Managers with any element of project work as and when required Team and Client Behaviours • Liaise with the Category and Suppliers fact to face (where possible) and via Teams/ telephone and email confirmation. Ensure that expectations are always managed and escalate issues as soon as they arise in the appropriate manner • Visit suppliers and the Witham office when required to discuss project plans, volumes and processes to ensure accurate and ‘right first-time information’. Volume of visits would fluctuate according to project statutes • Take ownership and be responsible for prioritising your work and effectively manage your time to ensure task deadlines are met. • Keep all administrative duties up to date and completed this on time, inform line Manager when support is required. • Act as an ambassador for SGK, develop and maintain client relationships with key category contacts, design team, Studio teams, printers and suppliers. • Be a positive, supportive and calming influence in the team and maintain a professional attitude. • Raise any issues whether client, production or team related to Account Director EXPERIENCE • Strong organisational skills along with ability to multitask. • Strong ability to report, record and present data. • Excellent Excel / Project Management programme skills. • Project Management - Planning and tracking • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written. • Excellent attention to detail. • Flexible and hardworking. • A team player, with an efficient and proactive approach. • Smart appearance and professional attitude. • Approachable and trustworthy. • PC literate – Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Database management. • Experience of industry web-based MIS and approval systems beneficial. • Knowledge of design, retail, brand and packaging beneficial. • Flexible in term of work location LI-CW1 SGK is a global packaging and brand experience company. From idea to implementation, we deliver packaging solutions and brand experiences that give brands the freedom to speak louder, scale faster and grow stronger. We simplify marketing and amplify brands to deliver value. SGK is a Matthews International company. Matthews International endeavors to make our employment website and application process accessible to all users and applicants. In doing so, Matthews International provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation or assistance completing the application process, please contact a member of our Human Resource Team.