At a Glance
- Tasks: Support sourcing and supply of products, negotiate with suppliers, and manage purchase orders.
- Company: Join Macfarlane Packaging, a leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Up to £30,000 salary, 27 days holiday, flexible benefits, and professional development.
- Other info: Opportunities for internal progression and professional qualifications like CIPS.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a fast-paced environment while growing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing, strong communication skills, and good IT proficiency.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Sudbury (Chilton Industrial Estate)
Package: Up to £30,000 annual salary plus bonus & flexible benefits package including up to 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays & additional annual leave purchasing scheme)
Hours: 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday
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 collaborative, supportive, and friendly workplace where you can unpack a career that grows. With over 75 years of history, we offer stability alongside continued growth. Our fast-paced, results-driven environment will challenge and stretch you, but also provide genuine opportunities for personal and professional development. Every colleague has the chance to influence our success and share in that achievement.
The Buyer Role
As our Buyer within our local procurement team, you'll play a key role in supporting the efficient sourcing and supply of products to meet customer demand, sales targets, and profitability objectives. Working closely with internal teams and suppliers, you'll ensure stock is sourced competitively, delivered on time, and meets required quality standards. You'll also contribute to the ongoing development of the supplier base, helping to drive cost efficiencies, improve service levels, and support wider procurement strategy. This is a varied and commercially focused role, offering exposure to supplier negotiation, stock management, and supply chain optimisation within a fast-paced distribution environment.
Key responsibilities
- Support the management and development of the Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) supplier base
- Negotiate pricing, terms, and service levels with suppliers to ensure best value and performance
- Process and manage purchase orders, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement activity
- Work closely with the Category Manager and Procurement Manager to align with wider procurement strategy
- Source alternative suppliers where required to reduce risk and improve competitiveness
- Monitor supplier performance, addressing any quality or service issues promptly
- Support tender processes to secure favourable commercial terms
- Develop awareness of stock holding costs and take action to minimise excess or obsolete stock
- Collaborate with logistics and warehouse teams to optimise stock availability and flow
- Build strong product knowledge across packaging solutions
- Promote effective cross-functional working across departments and RDCs
What you will bring
You'll ideally have experience within a fast-paced purchasing or procurement environment and be confident working with suppliers, managing priorities, and supporting commercial decision-making.
Essential:
- Experience within a purchasing or procurement role
- Strong communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to prioritise workload within a fast-paced environment
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office
Desirable:
- 18+ months buying experience within a commercial environment
- Experience working with multiple product lines and supplier bases
- Familiarity with systems such as ERP/SAP, Microsoft Dynamics or similar
- CIPS qualification (or interest in working towards this)
- Experience of cross-functional working with sales, logistics, or operations
What you will get
We provide a competitive basic salary alongside a range of bonus and incentive schemes. Our flexible benefits package can include:
- 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days with service) plus bank holidays
- Additional holiday purchasing scheme
- Contributory pension scheme
- Free parking at most locations
- Annual volunteering day
- Employee assistance programme
- Extensive training and development opportunities
- Employee discount scheme
- Simply Health/Dental or BUPA options for qualifying roles
- Enhanced HR policies and long service awards
- EE mobile discount scheme
- Candidate referral scheme
Your future with us
At Macfarlane Group, you'll have the opportunity to shape your own career. We actively support internal progression and provide structured development pathways, combining in-house expertise with external training partners. You'll also have the opportunity to pursue professional development through recognised bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), helping you to build a long-term career within procurement and supply chain.
Next Steps/How to Apply
We are working swiftly to find the best applicants and hope to hold local interviews ASAP. Please click apply to submit your up-to-date CV. All applications will be acknowledged. If you haven't heard from us within two weeks, please assume your application was unsuccessful. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds irrespective of your age, gender, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender expression, religion, or sexual orientation. Should you require any specific support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please email our recruitment team directly. No recruitment agencies please.
Buyer in Ashbourne employer: Macfarlane Packaging
At Macfarlane Packaging, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the well-being of our employees. Located in Sudbury, our team enjoys a competitive salary, flexible benefits, and ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, including structured development pathways and support for pursuing industry qualifications. Join us to be part of a company that values your contributions and fosters a rewarding career in procurement within a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer in Ashbourne
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Macfarlane Packaging.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer in Ashbourne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Macfarlane Packaging:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Macfarlane Packaging. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Macfarlane Packaging.
How to prepare for a job interview at Macfarlane Packaging
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Macfarlane Packaging!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Macfarlane Packaging. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Macfarlane Packaging's culture.
