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- Tasks: Manage stock levels, forecast demand, and optimise inventory for a leading packaging company.
- Company: Join Macfarlane Packaging, a market leader with over 75 years of expertise.
- Benefits: Up to £30,000 salary, 27 days holiday, flexible benefits, and career development.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive environment with opportunities for growth and recognition.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role that drives efficiency and supports business performance.
- Qualifications: Experience in inventory control, strong analytical skills, and excellent attention to detail.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
Location: Horsham (Oakhurst Business Park, Southwater)
Package: Basic salary up to £30,000 (dependent on experience) plus bonus & flexible benefits package including up to 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays & additional annual leave purchasing scheme)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Sector: Packaging Distribution
Optimise stock, drive efficiency, and support business performance. At Macfarlane Packaging, we're in the business of protecting what matters - our people, our customers, and the planet. We're equally committed to protecting and developing careers, offering a stable, forward-thinking environment where your contribution is recognised and your progression supported.
The Role:
- Manage stock levels across allocated sites, ensuring availability aligns with customer demand and service levels
- Forecast inventory requirements using data and customer insight to optimise stock holding
- Monitor and manage aged, excess, and slow-moving stock to improve margin and reduce waste
- Raise and manage purchase orders for both standard and non-standard items
- Expedite orders and resolve supply or cost issues to maintain continuity and control spend
- Maintain accurate inventory records, ensuring strong data integrity across systems
- Manage Goods In schedules and oversee accurate Goods Received Notes (GRNs)
- Negotiate pricing, terms, and service levels with suppliers to ensure best value and performance
- Support tender processes to secure favourable commercial terms
- Work closely with sales, procurement, and logistics teams to align stock planning with customer needs
- Build strong relationships across departments and with suppliers to support effective supply chain performance
What We're Looking For:
- Experience working in an inventory control, stock management, or supply chain role
- Strong analytical and numerical skills, with confidence working with data and Excel
- Excellent attention to detail and a structured, organised approach
- Ability to prioritise and manage workload in a fast-paced environment
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally
- Proactive mindset with the ability to identify issues and implement solutions
- Comfortable managing a large SKU range across multiple product categories
Desirable:
- Previous experience in a distribution or logistics environment
- Understanding of inventory management principles and KPIs
Why Join Macfarlane:
- We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you both professionally and personally, including:
- 25 days holiday (rising to 27 with service) plus bank holidays
- Additional holiday purchasing scheme
- Contributory pension scheme
- Flexible benefits package including healthcare options
- Employee assistance programme to support wellbeing
- Ongoing training and career development opportunities
- Employee discounts across major retail and leisure brands
- Annual volunteering day
- Long service awards and recognition schemes
Your Future with Us:
We're committed to helping our people grow. With structured development pathways, access to industry-recognised training (including CIPS), and genuine opportunities for progression across the wider group, you'll be supported to develop your career within a business that values continuous improvement and internal mobility.
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 Crawley employer: Macfarlane Packaging
Contact Detail:
Macfarlane Packaging Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer in Crawley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and role thoroughly. Understand their values and how you can contribute to their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, but keep it natural. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your achievements effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buyer role. Highlight your experience in inventory control and stock management, and don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills. We want to see how you can drive efficiency and support business performance!
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since this role involves working with data, be sure to mention any relevant experience you have with Excel or data analysis. We love candidates who can use insights to forecast demand and manage stock levels effectively.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills. Remember, attention to detail is crucial for this role!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, we’ll acknowledge all applications, so you won’t be left hanging!
How to prepare for a job interview at Macfarlane Packaging
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Buyer, you'll be working with data and inventory management. Brush up on your analytical skills and be prepared to discuss how you've used data in past roles to forecast demand or manage stock levels. Bring examples of how you’ve optimised stock or improved margins.
✨Understand the Supply Chain
Familiarise yourself with the basics of supply chain management and inventory principles. Be ready to talk about how different departments like sales, procurement, and logistics interact and how you can contribute to improving these relationships for better performance.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
This role requires strong communication across various teams. Prepare to share examples of how you've effectively communicated with colleagues or suppliers in the past. Highlight any experiences where your proactive approach helped resolve issues or improve processes.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Think of insightful questions to ask about the company culture, team dynamics, and how success is measured in the Buyer role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.