Senior Operations Management Analyst

at  Pearson

ABOUT PEARSON

Learning is the most powerful force for change in the world. More than 20,000 Pearson employees deliver our products and services in nearly 200 countries, all working towards a common purpose – to help everyone achieve their potential through learning. We do that by providing high quality, digital content and learning experiences, as well as assessments and qualifications that help people build their skills and grow with the world around them. We are the world’s leading learning company. Learn more at pearsonplc.com.
At Pearson, we believe in the power of difference. Harnessing the unique skills, perspectives, and backgrounds of every employee helps us foster innovation and create the most effective solutions for learners around the world. That’s why we’re committed to ensuring that diversity and inclusion are embedded into everything we do. We foster a work environment that’s inclusive and diverse — and where our people can be themselves — so we can reflect the customers and learners we serve.
About the Team & Role
Pearson were awarded the TOpS contract in April 2024, with the first test cycle to be completed in 2025/2026 window. Working in our Rotherham offices in South Yorkshire, the TOpS Secure Print planning and distribution manager will be supporting with ensuring that all set-up deliverables are met throughout the set-up of the TOpS project, meeting tight deadlines and ensuring that all processing criteria is met. You will take end-to-end ownership to ensure a joined-up workflow and successful delivery, ensuring the manufacture and despatch of question papers and related examination materials under secure conditions, to agreed schedules.

Responsibilities within the role will include;

• Manage the fulfilment & distribution of secure examination material.
• Create and maintain print and distribution schedules for Print & Distribution Suppliers.
• Liaise with the distributor, team managers, couriers, project managers and centres to ensure deliveries are made within agreed SLAs.
• Work with customs, centres and authorities to ensure all undelivered consignments are accounted for.
• Raise any potential security issues with the Business Assurance Group. Follow agreed procedures to communicate any security risks and provide distributions solutions to paper breaches.
• Assist in integrating the fulfilment & distribution functions of new business acquisitions.
• Manage the set-up of new qualifications. Ensuring schedules are created, processes are agreed and systems are developed to handle qualification-specific requirements.
• Manage the courier relationship. Ensure the courier and distributor relationship ensures all PQS SLAs are met.
• Where possible identify/recommend areas for cost reduction and implement cost-saving strategies without affecting the security, quality or schedule.
• Ensure other team members and colleagues in Customer Services are informed of any ongoing issues that are likely to result in increased Centre / Customer contact.
• Identify and assist with the development of new systems / procedures to improve processes within the Secure Production and Despatch area. Provide “helpdesk” support / guidance for the fulfilment houses in their use of the carrier dispatch systems.
• To ensure all secure production and despatch procedures are followed, documented and participate in any process reviews.
• To ensure all work is processed and printed in line with agreed QMS procedures and quality.
• Check invoices for accuracy and compliance as required and ensure invoices are processed within the agreed turnaround. Where necessary, raise invoice queries with the relevant supplier.

There will be a requirement to support with scanning operations across our other qualifications in quieter periods which will include the above responsibilities. The Secure Print Team within Pearson Schools handles more than 4,000 printed items per year, producing more than 9 million question papers.
About You:

As a customer and quality focused professional you will be/have:

• Experience in managing/co-ordinating a high-volume customer service, logistics or distribution function with tight SLAs
• High attention to detail with ability to create and maintain consistent records relating to the progress and order details for question papers.
• Ability to comprehend and communicate clear instructions with supplier’s and internal customers
• Ability to analyse complex written and numerical information
• Managing conflict with diplomacy
• Skills in MS Access (or comparable databases / tracking & ordering systems); MS Word and MS Excel (both to intermediate level) to manage quantities, purchase order costs and invoices.
• A positive and results focused team player!
• Flexibility in work hours is required

Education, Qualifications & Experience

• Degree, relevant vocational qualifications or extensive experience
• Experience of delivering key operational activities in a highly pressurised environment
• Experience managing a team or project and all aspects of performance management
• Experience of taking a strategic view and implementing significant business improvement processes
• Leading complex activities either as a manager or in cross-departmental teams
• Experience related to implementation of procedures and contingencies
• Project management

Responsibilities within the role will include;

• Manage the fulfilment & distribution of secure examination material.
• Create and maintain print and distribution schedules for Print & Distribution Suppliers.
• Liaise with the distributor, team managers, couriers, project managers and centres to ensure deliveries are made within agreed SLAs.
• Work with customs, centres and authorities to ensure all undelivered consignments are accounted for.
• Raise any potential security issues with the Business Assurance Group. Follow agreed procedures to communicate any security risks and provide distributions solutions to paper breaches.
• Assist in integrating the fulfilment & distribution functions of new business acquisitions.
• Manage the set-up of new qualifications. Ensuring schedules are created, processes are agreed and systems are developed to handle qualification-specific requirements.
• Manage the courier relationship. Ensure the courier and distributor relationship ensures all PQS SLAs are met.
• Where possible identify/recommend areas for cost reduction and implement cost-saving strategies without affecting the security, quality or schedule.
• Ensure other team members and colleagues in Customer Services are informed of any ongoing issues that are likely to result in increased Centre / Customer contact.
• Identify and assist with the development of new systems / procedures to improve processes within the Secure Production and Despatch area. Provide “helpdesk” support / guidance for the fulfilment houses in their use of the carrier dispatch systems.
• To ensure all secure production and despatch procedures are followed, documented and participate in any process reviews.
• To ensure all work is processed and printed in line with agreed QMS procedures and quality.
• Check invoices for accuracy and compliance as required and ensure invoices are processed within the agreed turnaround. Where necessary, raise invoice queries with the relevant supplier

We know you’ll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We know that one size doesn’t fit all, so our workplace programs meet the different needs of our diverse teams, and their families too. There is a range of options, see some of them shared here:

• A competitive salary
• 25 Days annual leave, this increases by 1 day each year up to 30 days with the option to buy and sell up to 5 days per year on top of this.
• A fantastic pension plan, where Pearson double what you contribute.
• Pearson’s other benefits also include private dental care, private medical insurance, digital GP service, season ticket loan, eye tests, cycle to work scheme, volunteering days, employee wellbeing assistance discounted retail and leisure products and services from leading companies and much more