Job Title: Procurement & Paper Sourcing Manager
Salary: £Depending on Experience
Location: Yorkshire
Reference: J9232
This is a specialist procurement role that combines strategic paper purchasing with wider procurement responsibilities.
The primary objective is to maximise profitability by sourcing paper competitively for individual customer orders, negotiating with mills, merchants and brokers to achieve the best commercial outcome once orders have been secured.
Alongside paper procurement, the successful candidate will assume responsibility for a range of general procurement activities and manage the company’s annual PEFC Chain of Custody certification.
This role would suit someone with a commercial print background who understands estimating, paper markets and supplier negotiation, and who enjoys finding opportunities to create additional margin through intelligent purchasing.
Key Responsibilities
Paper Procurement
Source paper for customer orders on an ad hoc basis rather than relying solely on contracted supply arrangements.
Negotiate directly with UK and international paper mills, merchants and brokers.
Obtain the most competitive prices whilst maintaining required specifications, availability and delivery times.
Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships across the paper supply chain.
Monitor market movements and identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs.
Work closely with estimating and production teams to ensure paper is available when required.
Identify alternative grades or supply options where appropriate to improve commercial performance.
General Procurement
Manage procurement of non-paper materials and services across the business.
Negotiate pricing and commercial agreements with suppliers.
Review supplier performance and identify opportunities for cost savings and service improvements.
Maintain accurate purchasing records and supplier information.
Support the business in achieving best value across all procurement activities.
PEFC Management
Maintain the company’s PEFC Chain of Custody certification.
Ensure all procedures remain compliant with PEFC requirements.
Prepare documentation for annual audits.
Liaise with certification bodies and internal departments regarding compliance.
Candidate Profile
- The successful candidate is likely to have experience in:
- Commercial print estimating or purchasing.
- Procuring paper from merchants, brokers and paper mills.
- Negotiating paper prices within a fast-moving commercial environment.
- Understanding paper grades, specifications and availability.
- Supplier negotiation and relationship management.
- General procurement principles.
- PEFC certification (or the ability to quickly become familiar with the requirements).
Personal Attributes
- The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Excellent commercial awareness.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Attention to detail.
- A methodical and organised approach.
- Ability to work independently.
- Confidence communicating with suppliers at all levels.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- A proactive approach to identifying cost-saving opportunities.
The Opportunity
This is not a traditional procurement role focused on long-term contract management.
Success comes from using market knowledge, supplier relationships and commercial judgement to source paper competitively for individual jobs, helping the business improve margins while maintaining quality and service.
The role also provides responsibility for wider procurement activities together with ownership of the company’s PEFC certification process, making it a varied position requiring both commercial acumen and attention to detail.
We also recruit for the following related roles:
Buyer
Purchasing Manager
Category Manager
Senior Buyer
This is a specialist procurement role that combines strategic paper purchasing with wider procurement responsibilities.
The primary objective is to maximise profitability by sourcing paper competitively for individual customer orders, negotiating with mills, merchants and brokers to achieve the best commercial outcome once orders have been secured.
Alongside paper procurement, the successful candidate will assume responsibility for a range of general procurement activities and manage the company’s annual PEFC Chain of Custody certification.
This role would suit someone with a commercial print background who understands estimating, paper markets and supplier negotiation, and who enjoys finding opportunities to create additional margin through intelligent purchasing.
Key Responsibilities
Paper Procurement
Source paper for customer orders on an ad hoc basis rather than relying solely on contracted supply arrangements.
Negotiate directly with UK and international paper mills, merchants and brokers.
Obtain the most competitive prices whilst maintaining required specifications, availability and delivery times.
Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships across the paper supply chain.
Monitor market movements and identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs.
Work closely with estimating and production teams to ensure paper is available when required.
Identify alternative grades or supply options where appropriate to improve commercial performance.
General Procurement
Manage procurement of non-paper materials and services across the business.
Negotiate pricing and commercial agreements with suppliers.
Review supplier performance and identify opportunities for cost savings and service improvements.
Maintain accurate purchasing records and supplier information.
Support the business in achieving best value across all procurement activities.
PEFC Management
Maintain the company’s PEFC Chain of Custody certification.
Ensure all procedures remain compliant with PEFC requirements.
Prepare documentation for annual audits.
Liaise with certification bodies and internal departments regarding compliance.
Candidate Profile
- The successful candidate is likely to have experience in:
- Commercial print estimating or purchasing.
- Procuring paper from merchants, brokers and paper mills.
- Negotiating paper prices within a fast-moving commercial environment.
- Understanding paper grades, specifications and availability.
- Supplier negotiation and relationship management.
- General procurement principles.
- PEFC certification (or the ability to quickly become familiar with the requirements).
Personal Attributes
- The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Excellent commercial awareness.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Attention to detail.
- A methodical and organised approach.
- Ability to work independently.
- Confidence communicating with suppliers at all levels.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- A proactive approach to identifying cost-saving opportunities.
The Opportunity
This is not a traditional procurement role focused on long-term contract management.
Success comes from using market knowledge, supplier relationships and commercial judgement to source paper competitively for individual jobs, helping the business improve margins while maintaining quality and service.
The role also provides responsibility for wider procurement activities together with ownership of the company’s PEFC certification process, making it a varied position requiring both commercial acumen and attention to detail.
We also recruit for the following related roles:
Buyer
Purchasing Manager
Category Manager
Senior Buyer
