News & Events | Speedpak Group

Customer Care – Administrator

12 Apr 2023 | Jobs, News & Events

[April 2023]

About Speedpak

Speedpak uses a business model to engage in economic activity to deliver social impact on Dublin’s Northside. As a commercial enterprise we focus on providing top quality products and service to hundreds of Customers. Operating for over 25 years, we have two successful businesses: Speedpak Contract Services providing contract packing, fulfilment, manufacturing support and logistics services, and Shamrock Rosettes creating and supplying custom prizes, accessories and customised embroidered and printed sportswear.

As a social enterprise, we focus on improving the employability of long-term unemployed people by providing real work experience, accredited training, mentoring, tailored interventions and supports in a commercial business environment. We know that the combination of trading and training transforms lives.

The Role of Customer Care /Administrator

Working as part of the Customer Care Team to provide:

excellent customer care and support across Speedpak’s commercial and training businesses;
admin support to our Reception, HR, Sales and Finance Functions so that we can provide quality services to our customers, and quality training opportunities to long-term unemployed people.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

(1) Customer Care

Handling sales enquiries across the Company’s businesses
Making and receiving sales related calls
Contacting customers to arrange outstanding payments to be made
Providing sales cover for absences

(2) Reception

Welcoming visitors to Speedpak in a professional and courteous manner and directing them appropriately
Ensuring that all visitors sign in on arrival and sign out when leaving
Directing calls to the correct person and taking accurate phone messages
Distributing incoming post to staff and ensuring post out is stamped and posted on time
Sales invoicing and updating accounts software
Stock checking and ordering stationary supplies

(3) Administration

Managing, reporting on, and maintaining accurate record systems
Supporting the updating of Company Policies, Procedures and Reports
Supporting the submission of applications/documentation to Funders and Regulators

The Ideal candidate will:

have at least 1 year’s experience in an administrative or Customer Care role
be confident and competent in using IT
be able to work positively and productively in a Team
have an efficient and organised approach to work
pay attention to detail
have problem solving experience

Eligibility

This position is supported by POBAL under the Community Services Programme (CSP), and you must be eligible
to apply. The following groups are a priority for employment under CSP:

People who are in the workforce but unemployed and seeking to return to work; i.e. people who are in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB), Jobseekers Assistance (JA), or people who are signing on for credits
Qualified Adults (adult dependants of those in receipt of a social welfare payment)
People With Disabilities (PWD) in receipt of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Partial Capacity Benefit or other disability benefit;
Ex-prisoners or people with a criminal conviction and in contact with the Probation Service
Migrants
Refugees
Asylum Seekers
Irish Travellers
Roma
People coming from a labour activation scheme i.e. Community Employment (CE) TUS, or Rural Social Scheme (RSS) Placements
One Parent Families (people who parent alone without sufficient resources and are in receipt of social welfare payments
People who are deserted, separated, divorced or widowed (people in receipt of Widow’s/widower’s non-contributory pension, surviving Civil Partners’ non-contributory pension, or deserted Wives allowance/benefit)
Carers (people in receipt of Carers Allowance/Benefit who want to return to the workforce)
People who are homeless
Stabilised and recovering drug misusers
Ukrainians – displaced by the war

Terms and Conditions

37.5 hours per week. 9.00am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday
30 minute unpaid lunch break each day
20 days annual leave
Sick leave policy applies
This post is subject to on-going Government funding under POBAL’s Community Services Programme.

To Apply

Please email careers@speedpakgroup.com with your CV and a one-page cover letter explaining your fit with the criteria outlined above by the closing date, Friday 28 April 2023 at 5pm.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview the week of 8 May 2023.

If you have any questions about this role, please contact us on 01 867 1707. We are happy to take your call.

Training & Development Officer – Community Employment (CE) Supervisor

12 Apr 2023 | Jobs, News & Events

Contract Type: Full Time

Salary: 4 Point Scale starting at €33,259

Location: Dublin 17

About Speedpak CLG

Speedpak CLG, is a social enterprise trading as Speedpak Group, Speedpak Contract Services and Shamrock Rosettes. Our social impact is built on collaborations with Corporate and Philanthropic investors, Government and state funded investors, Company pro bono expertise and volunteers. We trade commercially to transform the lives of previously long-term unemployed people through commercial work experience and industry-led training. This has resulted in better employment outcomes, resilience in the job market and financial independence for the 1,400 people we have employed and trained since our foundation.

We have two successful businesses: Speedpak Contract Services (providing contract packing, e-commerce fulfilment, manufacturing support and logistics services) and Shamrock Rosettes (creating and supplying custom prizes, accessories and customised sportswear for the equestrian and agricultural show sectors).

We operate to ‘a double bottom line’, balancing the need for commercial profitability alongside the needs of our long-term unemployed trainees. This is what makes us unique. It reflects our values as a business with a social purpose to end long-term unemployment for people living in our community.

The Role

This is a fantastic opportunity for a skilled person with relevant experience to be part of a unique, innovative social enterprise making a real difference to people’s lives.

A hands-on role which offers variety and responsibility. Reporting to the HR Manager, the role expands across Production and HR operations. You will support the supervision of a team of over 40 trainee general operatives to achieve a high level of performance, and develop skills with a strong focus on employability and progression to employment.

The CE Programme (funded by the Department of Social Protection) is integrated into our social enterprise to provide quality work experience and training opportunities to long-term unemployed people.

Key Role Tasks:

Compliance of the CE Programme across the various functions within Speedpak.
Recruitment and induction of trainees.
Supporting trainees to achieve work and training targets.
Planning and implementing workplace learning to enhance skills and employability.
Career planning and job-seeking skills for trainees.
Capturing workplace learning.
Updating and maintaining HR databases.
Supporting workplace Health and Safety compliance.
Providing reports to the Leadership Team, Governance sub-Committee and Board.

The Ideal Candidate will have the following experience and skills:

A minimum of 3 years in a Learning/Development role at Management, Supervisory or Team Leader level in a Retail, Manufacturing, Education Environment or Community setting.
Supporting a safe & healthy work environment in both facilities and work practices.
Sourcing and Evaluation of training.
Recruitment and Selection.
Managing budgets.
Report writing.
IT skills.
Empathy for vulnerable individuals and jobseekers.

Education and Training requirements:

3rd Level qualification (Level 6 or higher NFQ Major award) relevant to the role.
Evidence of ongoing training and upskilling.

What we are offering:

An opportunity to work in an award-winning social enterprise and make a positive difference to people’s lives.

A salary package starting at Point 1 of the Department of Social Protection’s 4 point supervisory scale. (€33,295 increasing to €40,170 at Point 4).
20 days annual leave plus up to 2 additional company days for Christmas closing.
Paid sick leave scheme.

To Apply

Please email careers@speedpakgroup.com with your CV and a one-page cover letter,

explaining your fit with the criteria outlined above, by the closing date, Wednesday 26 April 2023. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.

First round interviews will be held the week of 8 May.

If you have any questions about this role, please contact us on 01 867 1707. We are happy to take your call.

Speedpak is an equal opportunities employer and positive to disabilities

Free Promotional Opportunity for Social Enterprises Selling Goods and Services

5 May 2022 | News & Events, Social Enterprise

Speedpak Group is seeking to make contact with other Work Integration Social Enterprises [WISEs] who wish to be featured in the WISE Ireland directory that was launched in May 2022.

“Work Integration Social Enterprises exist mainly to improve the employability and employment prospects of people furthest from the labour market.” (O’Hara & O’Shaughnessy, 2021).

This project was undertaken in order to raise awareness of WISEs, particularly among the business community. Our goal is to increase commercial, procurement and philanthropic opportunities for social enterprises.

The directory can be viewed at www.wiseireland.ie. Inclusion is free of charge.

We are continuting to promote the directory to large businesses to highlight how they can create positive social impact by collaborating with WISEs. We demonstrate how, by partnering on commercial or social projects with WISEs, those businesses can achieve their Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] and realise their Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR] ambitions.

The project was initiated as part of the Government’s 2022 Awareness Raising Initiatives for Social Enterprises [ARISE] programme, approved by Government with support from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

Please get in contact with us at info@wiseireland.ie so that we can include your organisation’s details in the directory …and together we can raise the profile of our sector and provide greater supports for people who are long-term unemployed.

Further details for social enterprises is available on the WISE project landing page at www.speedpakgroup.com/wise

Updated: 3 August 2022

The 7 Pillars of the European Social Economy Action Plan

19 Nov 2021 | News & Events

European Action plan for the Social Economy – The Seven Pillars

The following seven pillars for a European Action Plan for the Social Economy have been proposed by Social Economy Europe.

Pillar 1: Establish a common understanding of social economy enterprises and organisations in Europe.

Pillar 2: Improve the visibility of social economy enterprises and organisations and of their values and characteristics.

Pillar 3: Measure and further document the weight of the social economy and its effective contribution to the socio-economic development of the European Union.

Pillar 4: Provide a conducive ecosystem for the growth of social economy enterprises and organisations, supporting them to access to finance and to scale up, and by establishing the necessary legal framework, allowing them to fully operate trans-nationally in the single market.

Pillar 5: Further integrate the social economy in EU funds and programmes such as the ERDF, ESP Plus and the cohesion funds.

Pillar 6: Foster the role of the social economy in the external action of the European Union.

Pillar 7: Consolidate and strengthen a permanent and structured dialogue between EU institutions and the social economy.

The European Action Plan for the Social Economy is due to be launched on Wednesday 8th December 2021.

Speedpak Group features on Acumen’s international list of 100 corporate-ready social enterprises

2 Nov 2021 | Featured, News & Events, Transforming

Dublin-based Speedpak Group has been nominated as one of Acumen’s 100 Corporate-Ready Social Enterprises.

The list, and accompanying survey-based report Corporate-Ready—How Corporations and Social Enterprises do Business Together to Drive Impact was created by international nonprofit impact investment fund Acumen. It showcases a diverse collection of established social enterprises, from a range of industries, that are ready to partner, collaborate and do business with corporations.

The report points out that “corporations, large and small, play a key role in creating a fairer and more equal world” and that “all sectors need to work together on our most pressing issues for a sustainable future. It continues: “engaging with social entrepreneurs that develop scalable business models to address social challenges can accelerate those efforts.”

The report dispels misconceptions about social enterprises relating to size, capabilities and capacity while case studies draw attention to successful partnering, illustrating how barriers between stakeholders can be overcome.

A key finding from the survey was that social enterprises have significant social impact that is aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] and that they can “deliver concrete and measurable progress on corporate sustainability targets”.

The report was supported by IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, and developed in collaboration with members of the World Economic Forum’s COVID Response Alliance for Social Entrepreneurs. The social enterprises featured were chosen because they are already selling to corporations and offering direct benefit to marginalised groups.

Social procurement. Good for governments, good for businesses, good for social enterprises and good for society.

2 Nov 2021 | News & Events

Social procurement refers to the purchase of goods and services, by businesses and governments, from social enterprises and other organisations that have a strong ethical mission. It considers not just the economic impact of a purchase but also the positive social and/or environmental impact that that purchase entails.

This multi-outcome, value-added approach is growing, as businesses and governments worldwide seek ways to trade and operate more sustainably. This growth is also due in no small measure to lobbying by the social enterprise sector, which has strengthened and proven its worth over the past three decades.

Positive support for social procurement by governments worldwide

Social procurement is increasingly featured in government policy, as the benefits to society of buying from local, ethical suppliers are being recognised. The Irish Government has vowed in its National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022 to “support capacity-building for social enterprises in relation to procurement processes through workshops and training” and to “work with stakeholders to identify how to improve opportunities for social enterprises in the business-to-business supply-chain and in public procurement.” Through the Social Considerations Advisory Group it will “help policy makers to better understand how procurement can be used to facilitate the advancement of social policy objectives within appropriate and structured public procurement guidelines”.

This commitment suggests an appetite to rework traditional procurement policies, in order to accommodate social enterprises. Going further, a new legal structure for social enterprises – none currently exists under Irish law – could support a better understanding of what social enterprises are and where they ‘fit’ with procurement managers and their processes.

A key finding of the 2020 Buying for Social Impact (BSI) project (commissioned by the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and the European Commission Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs) was that “…socially responsible public procurement [SRPP] is easier in countries where legal frameworks or legal forms for social economy enterprises exist”. It continues: “it is also easier for social economy enterprises to access public procurement procedures in countries where those legal frameworks or legal forms exist”.

Businesses are using social procurement to achieve their sustainability goals

Businesses are also buying from social enterprises. Though less active than governments, according to The State of Social Procurement in Australia & New Zealand 2021 report, they are nonetheless under pressure to become more sustainable, enhance their reputations and cultivate positive relationships with the communities in which they are based. Tammy Darcy, CEO of SERI has highlighted “the need for social impact to be included as a consideration in the wider economy by all enterprises, not just social enterprises”.

Social procurement in the UK has been propelled by Social Enterprise UK’s successful Buy Social Corporate Challenge. The campaign’s corporate focus has resulted in a £165m spend, by 27 participating businesses since 2018, on goods and services supplied by social enterprises.

Social procurement – a strategic choice

Social enterprises offer corporations the opportunity to merge sustainable initiatives with corporate and commercial strategy. This allows corporations to ‘hit the ground running’ with projects that provide social as well as commercial value, while not having to deviate significantly from strategy. To governments, they offer flexibility and the opportunity to collaborate on projects where local interest, knowledge and expertise are key to undertaking a project efficiently.

Social procurement offers a lifeline to social enterprises that helps them to grow, to develop a stronger voice and, through collaboration, to expand their influence. It provides them with the means to gain greater recognition as real, innovative businesses operating in competitive marketplaces. It enables them to forge a greater standing in their communities and to become a stronger force for creating positive social change.

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