Jessica Sugden
Leeds,West Yorkshire
Summary
Dynamic individual with hands-on experience in packaging and category management, with talent for navigating challenges. Brings strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach to new tasks. Known for adaptability, creativity, and results-oriented mindset. Committed to making meaningful contributions and advancing organisational goals. Passionate for optimising packaging requirements and improving sustainability.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Category Manager
Hazel 4D
Leeds
02.2021 - Current
- Negotiated pricing on large contracts, including material options, payment terms, shipping terms and potential rebates, resulting in improved margin by 10-15%.
- Managed 6 categories of packaging products, with a combined annual spend of £7,000,000.
- Managed quarterly reviews of categories, removing slow moving items and working with sales to identify areas to potentially sell dead stock.
- Reviewed current suppliers and sourced potential new suppliers to offer cost savings, innovative alternative products and improve sustainability.
- Analysed existing product specifications to identify where we can improve sustainability, switching materials to recycled materials, ordering items in larger quantities to reduce shipments, etc.
- Developed relationships with internal stakeholders, working with other departments within the business daily and solving problems as a team.
- Worked closely with stock control to build containers of product, optimizing value of goods and reduce shipping burden on cost.
- Developed strong relationships with key suppliers, holding monthly meetings and daily contact to maintain high levels of service and keep updated on critical information.
- Determined lowest possible cost of products, factoring in potential hidden costs that may arise with low cost such as quality and reliability, determining the product worth.
- Collated data on EPR and Plastic Packaging Tax.
- Implented a system to automatically add Plastic Packaging Tax to appropriate product, which showed true landed cost.
- Headed a project to switch all non food grade products to contain 50-100% recycled material, resulting in major cost savings across plastic and paper categories.
- Worked with multiple suppliers to meet complex customer needs on branded and bespoke items.
Purchasing Coordinator
MPM
Leeds
11.2017 - 01.2021
- Implemented policies to reduce cost and eliminate waste.
- Maintained consistent email communication with stores and suppliers to confirm and track orders and verify price revisions on purchase orders.
- Combined similar items to order from the supplier to reach higher price breaks.
- Communicated frequently with stores to manage orders and verify revisions on purchase orders.
- Wrote standard operating procedures for purchasing department.
- Maintained complete documentation and records of all purchasing activities.
- Performed monthly reconciliation of open purchasing orders.
- Evaluated incoming orders for quality issues and processed unacceptable materials for return.
- Maintained inventory and ordered new supplies in line with the production department requirements.
- Simplified shipping and receiving processes for improved workflow.
- Maintained accurate inventory records to provide data for use in audits and completion of order requests.
Education
Level 4 - Procurement
Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply
Leeds07.2022
Level 3 - Business Administration
Apprenticeship - JTDS
MPM09.2018
A-Level - Art
Pudsey Grangefield School
Leeds06.2016
A-Level - Media
Pudsey Grangefield School
Leeds06.2016
A-Level - Photography
Pudsey Grangefield
Leeds06.2016
Skills
- Consumer Buying Patterns
- Product Quality Determination
- Supplier Relations
- Waste Reduction
- Supply Chain Management
- Supplier Performance Management
- Epicor
- Flexible and Adaptable
- Collaboration
- Sustainability initiatives
- Critical thinking
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Performance improvements
- Strategic Negotiations
- Shipping regulations
Timeline
Category Manager
Hazel 4D
02.2021 - Current
Purchasing Coordinator
MPM
11.2017 - 01.2021
Level 4 - Procurement
Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply
Level 3 - Business Administration
Apprenticeship - JTDS
A-Level - Art
Pudsey Grangefield School
A-Level - Media
Pudsey Grangefield School
A-Level - Photography
Pudsey Grangefield
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