Operations & Commercial Assistant

Salary: £25-35k (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 three 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.

Anstar has quickly developed a broad customer base in UK and EU and is therefore looking for a talented, self-motivated, and enthusiastic Commercial Assistant to strengthen the commercial team and help with purchasing, logistics and sales. This is a fantastic opportunity in a high-growth industry and offers the chance to be part of an exciting start-up that you can directly influence and shape.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

> Order processing and follow-ups (POs, despatch notes, proformas, invoices, COAs)

> Supply and demand forecasting based on market conditions, macroeconomic environment and customer requirements

> Stock management and planning

> Operation and oversight of CRM and ERP software

> 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 sample company

> General administration duties, including marketing, events organisation, scheduling and maintaining office welfare

> Domestic and international travel may be required on occasions to attend trade shows and assist on customer visits if 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

> 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, XERO 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 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

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.

Offices: Airedale House, 432 Kirkstall Rd, Leeds, LS4 2EW

Founder& Managing Director: Dr Liangyu Hawkes