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- Tasks: Manage stock levels, forecast demand, and optimise inventory for a leading packaging company.
- Company: Join Macfarlane Packaging, a forward-thinking leader in the industry.
- Benefits: Up to £30,000 salary, 27 days holiday, flexible benefits, and career development.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive environment with structured training and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role with opportunities for growth.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a proactive mindset.
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
At Macfarlane Packaging, we are in the business of protecting what matters - our people, our customers, and the planet. We are equally committed to protecting and developing careers, offering a stable, forward-thinking environment where your contribution is recognised and your progression supported.
With over 75 years of industry expertise, we combine the strength of a market leader with the pace and energy of a commercial, sales-led business. If you enjoy working with data, driving efficiencies, and playing a key role in operational performance, this is an opportunity to make a real impact.
The Role:
As our Assistant Buyer, you will take ownership of stock management across our site, ensuring the right products are available at the right time while balancing working capital, space utilisation, and margin.
Working closely with procurement, sales, and logistics teams, you will use data and insight to forecast demand, manage stock levels, and identify opportunities to improve performance. This is a highly visible, cross-functional role where accuracy, organisation, and commercial awareness are key.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- 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:
- 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:
- Any prior experience working in an inventory control, stock management, purchasing or supply chain role
- 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.
Assistant Buyer in Horsham employer: Macfarlane Packaging
Contact Detail:
Macfarlane Packaging Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer in Horsham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the packaging distribution sector, especially those who work at Macfarlane. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your data skills. Since the role involves managing stock and forecasting demand, be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to drive efficiency.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your organisational skills! Bring examples of how you've managed multiple tasks or projects simultaneously. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, just like the one at Macfarlane.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the Macfarlane team.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer in Horsham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Assistant Buyer role. Highlight your analytical skills and any relevant experience in stock management or purchasing. We want to see how you can optimise stock and drive efficiency!
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since this role involves working with data, don’t forget to showcase your Excel skills and any experience you have with forecasting or inventory management. We love seeing candidates who can use data to make informed decisions!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a structured approach that reflects the organisation we value in our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the quickest way for us to receive your application and get back to you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Macfarlane Packaging
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Assistant Buyer, you'll be working with data and stock levels, so brush up on your analytical skills. Familiarise yourself with key inventory management metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to drive efficiencies.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
This role requires a structured approach, so prepare examples that highlight your attention to detail and organisation. Think about times when you successfully managed multiple priorities or improved processes in a fast-paced environment.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication is key in this cross-functional role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be prepared to discuss how you've built relationships with suppliers or collaborated with different teams to achieve common goals.
✨Be Proactive and Solution-Oriented
Demonstrate your proactive mindset by sharing examples of how you've identified issues and implemented solutions in previous roles. Employers love candidates who can think on their feet and contribute to continuous improvement.