Your new role

At Sofology, sofas are SO our thing - but so are our people! In fact, people are our greatest asset and that’s why we are completely committed to our ED&I strategy, So For All. We are working passionately with all of our colleagues across the business to learn, understand and be completely enthralled into continuing to make Sofology an equal, diverse and inclusive place to work.

We encourage each and every one of our Sofologists to be who they are in a role they feel at home in and we actively prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic. 

It’s important to us to make sure that we don’t just look for new talent to ‘fit in’ with our culture, but instead, we look for incredible talented colleagues to ‘add’ to our wonderful culture.

You will be reporting to the Head of Customer Service, you will work closely with both internal and external stakeholders to drive, create and manage packaging initiatives from initial requirements through to minimum supplier requirements, ensuring regulatory requirements are met and quality standards are set whilst simultaneously driving the business sustainability agenda.

We would love to see you provide quality, protective, cost effective and environmentally responsible packaging, delivering true innovation with external suppliers and internal colleagues, with our customers in mind. You will take on responsibility for managing all related specifications and ownership of individual projects, providing technical packaging expertise.

A day in the life of...

• Owner of all sofa & accessories packaging requirements and specifications.

• Leading any development, improvement and implementation of packaging.

• Ensure packaging standards are met for individual sofa ranges and carrying out investigations into product issues and resolving issues with suppliers to ensure corrective actions are developed and met on time.

• Work with suppliers to source and develop new and sustainable formats and materials.

• Conduct testing of finished packaging to assist the setting and achievement of quality standards; and work with suppliers on improving the technical performance on existing packaging with involvement from concept to launch whilst ensuring legal compliance.

• Develop and maintain a database of documentation including specifications, material / reporting of compliance data / trial reporting / waste management / value analysis.

• Develop reporting in line with the relevant directives that will be used to report on our packaging sustainability performance.

• Analyse and feedback on packaging performance and develop packaging initiatives.

• Measuring customer satisfaction with an aim to reduce product damage and improve handling.

• Provide weekly/monthly reports analysing packaging and supplier performance.

• Working closely with the Sofology buying team and group functions to agree on requirements and solutions. 

• Reduce packaging costs per job (PCPJ) whilst developing the customer journey through initiatives and opportunities.

• Keeping ahead of packaging developments, market movements in development by reading relevant journals, going to meetings and attending courses to improve the supply chain and delivery propositions.

• Measure and analyse statistics or other data to determine the level of service suppliers are providing.

• Establish and forge excellent business and service contacts (internally and externally).

• Help build and develop KPI reports and scorecards to capture and identify trends in packaging performance improvements.

• Accountable for packaging spend and ensuring productivity targets are maintained in line with the buying team.

• Be instrumental in improving packaging systems and processes.

• Review and monitor the standards of the packaging proposition and customer journey, making recommendations as required.

• Relentless about achieving performance objectives and delivering the packaging plan.

• Deliver and maintain high standards of quality at all times.

• To ensure that work is carried out in line with company procedures and adhere to Health and Safety requirements.

• Lead by example providing consistent leadership and direction to the team to create a high performing product culture.

• Identify gaps in the quality of our service that we offer to customers and drive improvements.

• Provide coaching, training and packaging support.

• Exhibit a flexible approach to working on a rota basis and provide necessary cover where needed.

• Attend meetings as necessary to keep up to date with the latest technology and operating processes to support successful trading.

In an ideal world...

• Have at least 3 years’ experience of working in a packaging role or industry equivalent.

• Experience of packaging and materials, supplier management and detailed specifications  .

• Experience of a range of computerised software packages including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel.

• Experience of providing data, analysis of data and report writing.

• Handing performance management, absence management and disciplinary/grievance issues.

• The identification of training needs and the development of team members and building relationships.

• Full driving license.

Pay and Perks

• 33 Days holiday + Length of service

• Your birthday off

• Pawternity Leave, Grandparent Leave, Volunteering day Leave

• Professional Qualifications

• Learning & Development

• 30% discount across the group & 15% for friends & family

• High street Discounts with 100’s of great brands 

• Contributory Healthcare

• Pension

• Your Lawyer

• Employee Assistance Programme for all colleagues & your household 

• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Pay

• Company car or car allowance (Role dependant)

A little about Sofology

We think choosing a new role and choosing a new sofa have a lot in common. Your old one feels comfy, you’re used to it, and you know exactly where you fit. But a new job - or a new sofa - holds so much potential. Pick the right one and you’ll never look back. You want to feel comfortable, but with enough going on to keep you right on the edge of your seat. Our team is always growing, and we’re constantly shuffling up on the sofa to make room for the newest member of the Sofology family. 

Founded over 30 years ago, we’re true sofa specialists. So much more than just a piece of furniture, we know that a sofa is the one thing that truly turns our customer’s houses into homes.There’s a lot at stake when it comes to guiding our customers to make the right choice for them - that’s why our customer journey is unique in the sofa market. That means no ‘ends next Sunday sales.

Sofology