Operations & Commercial Assistant

Salary: £25-40k+ (negotiable, dependent on experience), with performance-based bonus, health insurance, pension contributions, car allowance etc.

Hours: Monday – Friday (09:00-17:00)

Location: Flexible (min. 3/4 days in-person per week, Leeds office)

Job Title: Operations & Commercial Assistant

Launched in 2018, Anstar is a rapidly expanding start-up in the speciality chemical distributor space. We have quickly gained prominence in the UV-curable raw materials market, including Photoinitiators used in inks, coatings, adhesives, 3D printing and electronics.

In just four years since welcoming our first customers, we have experienced remarkable growth.

Anstar is widely recognised and highly regarded in the industry for exemplifying our core philosophies: trust, transparency, ethical conduct, and unwavering customer-centricity. These values have helped us forge strong partnerships with suppliers and customers who are at the heart of our business.

As we continue to grow, we are seeking a talented and enthusiastic Ops & Commercial Assistant to join our team. In our close-knit and entrepreneurial environment, you'll manage Anstar's entire supply chain, drive customer engagement and improve our operational efficiency and performance. You will also support Anstar’s ongoing data analytics initiatives, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of our data while identifying opportunities for process improvements through data-driven insights.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a high-growth company where your contributions will directly influence our success. Additionally, there's numerous growth opportunities for this role depending on performance and ambition.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Order processing (POs, despatch notes, proformas, invoices)
• Supply & demand forecasting and budgeting
• Stock management and planning
• Operation of ERP and inventory mgmt. software
• Data analytics (Excel, PowerBI) across purchasing, sales and inventory
• Liaising with warehouse for despatching orders and communicating updates and/ or issues with customers
• Clear and effective communication by phone, email and other means with clients, suppliers and internal colleagues to expedite planning, ordering, delivery and accounting requirements of clients and suppliers
• Recording of sales information, documents, and customer contact information
• Ensuring payments are received from customers on time and carrying out credit checks when required
• Arranging samples for customers and monitoring stock levels at 3rd party sampling company
• General administration duties and customer support
• Domestic and international travel may be required on occasion to attend trade shows, visit 3rd party logistics providers and assist on customer visits where necessary

Essential requirements for the role:

• Previous purchasing, logistics and customer service experience is essential (2+ years)
• Understanding of how distribution companies work, with insight into the chemicals industry
• Road, Sea & Air Freight experience
• Data analytics experience with high proficiency in excel
• Enthusiastic, open-minded and very willing to learn
• Excellent attention to detail with strong time management skills
• Organised and self-motivated, willing to take the initiative and be proactive
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and high interpersonal competence and negotiation abilities
• Committed to going above and beyond expectations
• Proficient with software such as CRMs, ERPs, etc.
• Tech savvy – highly proficient in working with technology (laptops, phones, printers etc.) and Microsoft software (Windows, Excel, PowerPoint etc.)
• Able to work independently under remote management (e.g., WFH)
• Highly proficient in spoken and written English

Advantageous/desirable qualities

• Experience with dangerous goods transport and storage
• Interest or previous experience in the chemicals industry is desirable but not essential
• Experience in logistics highly desirable – import/export procedures, incoterms, interacting with global freight forwarders and couriers
• Experience in warehousing and stock management/invoicing
• Experience working for an agent or distributor

Please click on apply or submit a CV to: [email protected]

The interview process will consist of 2-3 rounds. 1st round will be via a Teams call, 2nd & 3rd rounds will be in-person. We will aim to provide feedback to all candidates who secure a 1st round interview.

We very much look forward to hearing from you.

The Anstar Team

Equal Opportunity:

Anstar is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Website: www.anstar.com

Offices: Airedale House, 423 Kirkstall Rd, Leeds, LS4 2EW

Founder & Managing Director: Dr Liangyu Hawkes