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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support procurement by managing suppliers and stock control while ensuring quality and timely delivery.
- Company: Join Macfarlane Packaging, a 75-year-old leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible benefits, and a competitive salary with bonus opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative culture that values growth, teamwork, and personal development.
- Qualifications: 12 months of commercial buying experience and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: We welcome diverse applicants and offer tailored career development pathways.
The predicted salary is between 21500 - 23500 £ per year.
Assistant Buyer
Location: Gloucester, Waterwells Business Park, Quedgeley
Package: Basic salary GBP25,000 – GBP27,000 (dependent on experience) plus bonus & flexible benefits package including 25 days holiday (Plus additional annual leave purchasing scheme)
Sector: Packaging distribution
Protecting what matters, together
We re dedicated to protecting what matters most – our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. At Macfarlane Packaging, our commitment to customer satisfaction, sustainability and continual improvement creates a highly collaborative, supportive and friendly workplace where you can unpack a career that grows.
With history stretching back over 75 years, we offer stability whilst always striving for continual growth. Our fast-paced, results-driven approach will challenge and often stretch you, but it will also give you opportunities for personal and professional development. Every colleague has the chance to directly influence our success, leading to real job satisfaction and achievement, at all stages of your career.
We provide competitive pay and personalised incentives, alongside adaptable benefits to make your rewards package go further. And additionally, the way we work prioritises work-life balance and flexibility, empowering our colleagues to manage what is most important to them. Our business values commitment, diligence, teamwork, adaptability and a thirst for learning so if this sounds like you, come and join us to help drive change that enables businesses to plan for a better future.
The Assistant Buyer Role
Working as a member of our local procurement team, the Assistant Buyer role will support the site at which you are based whilst upholding the company wide National procurement strategy. This position is integral to the overall success of the business, as you will be instrumental in helping to coordinate the management and development of the regional supplier base.
Assistant Buyer Key Duties
- Undertaking stock control and administration activities
- Purchasing of standard and non-standard stock items
- Managing suppliers so they deliver on time and in full
- Ensuring supplies adhere to quality, service and best practise initiatives
- Sourcing and negotiating with existing suppliers, challenging prices where relevant
- Monitoring invoice queries where necessary
- Upholding procurement strategy
- Helping manage performance of the supplier base
- Maximising profitability and minimising risk to the Business
Do you have the correct profile
We welcome your application providing that you have a minimum of 12 months commercial buying experience. That way, we are hopeful that you will already have gained exposure to the majority of key duties mentioned above. Ours is a fast-paced sales led distribution business, so although identical experience isn t essential, any obvious synergy would be useful. You will naturally have strong communication and negotiation skills with the ability to at times, perform under pressure and fulfil exacting timeframes. Excellent interpersonal skills are necessary to work effectively with a wide range of colleagues and departments.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds irrespective of your age, gender, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, or sexual orientation. Should you require any specific support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please email our recruitment team directly.
Our Benefits
We provide a competitive basic starting salary and operate a range of rewarding bonus/incentive schemes. Our flexible employee benefits package can include: –
- 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days with service) plus all public/bank holidays
- Additional Holiday purchasing scheme (run annually)
- Contributory pension scheme
- Free parking at Gloucester site
- Annual (company paid) volunteering day
- Employee assistance program to support & advise with well-being & any issues
- Extensive range of training/development & potential progression opportunities
- Employee discount scheme (discounts on several major retail/leisure brands)
- Enhanced HR policies relating to various employee rights & entitlements
- Long service awards (5-40 years)
- Charitable giving options
- Financial support with eye-tests/purchasing glasses (DSE users only)
- O2 Mobile discount scheme (up to 25% off)
- Candidate referral scheme (awards GBP750 for referring successful applicants to Macfarlane job vacancies)
Your future with us
Here at Macfarlane Group, you truly have the potential to shape your own future and set your own ambitions. We are a large group company where internal promotion and mobility is a key feature of our success. Through tailored career plans, we provide a wide range of structure training & development pathways, utilizing both inhouse expertise to share knowledge and the best-in-class external training partners. There is potential access to management & leadership development, and we work closely with recognized, accredited bodies including the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) & the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS); so there really are no limits to where your journey within Macfarlane Group may take you long term.
How to apply/next steps
This is an urgent appointment whereby we will be working to identify and review the very best of applicants swiftly in the hope of selecting the successful candidate to commence with us ASAP. To make an application please simply click apply ensuring that your CV is up to date and relevant.
All applications will be acknowledged, shortlisted applicants normally hearing from us within a week or two. Unsuccessful applicants will also be notified at the end of our process, although if you haven t heard from us within 2-3 weeks of applying, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE
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Assistant Buyer employer: Macfarlane Packaging
Contact Detail:
Macfarlane Packaging Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the packaging distribution sector. Understanding the industry trends and challenges can give you an edge during interviews, showing your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in procurement and buying roles. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even refer you to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential interview questions by practising your responses to common scenarios faced by Assistant Buyers, such as supplier negotiations or stock management challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Macfarlane Packaging's values and recent initiatives. Tailoring your conversation to align with their commitment to sustainability and teamwork can demonstrate that you're a great cultural fit.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your commercial buying experience and relevant skills. Focus on your achievements in stock control, supplier management, and negotiation to align with the key duties of the Assistant Buyer role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for procurement and your understanding of Macfarlane Packaging's values. Mention specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your strong communication and negotiation skills in both your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed suppliers or resolved invoice queries to illustrate your capabilities.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in the Assistant Buyer role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Macfarlane Packaging
✨Showcase Your Buying Experience
Make sure to highlight your commercial buying experience during the interview. Discuss specific examples where you've successfully managed suppliers, negotiated prices, or handled stock control. This will demonstrate your capability and relevance for the Assistant Buyer role.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since the role requires excellent interpersonal skills, be prepared to discuss how you've effectively communicated with colleagues and suppliers in the past. Use examples that showcase your ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts, as these are crucial for the position.
✨Understand the Company Values
Familiarise yourself with Macfarlane Packaging's values such as commitment, teamwork, and adaptability. During the interview, align your answers with these values to show that you are a good cultural fit and share their vision of protecting what matters.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities under pressure. Think of situations where you've had to meet tight deadlines or manage unexpected challenges in procurement. Prepare concise stories that illustrate your thought process and outcomes.
