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- Tasks: Manage stock levels, forecast demand, and optimise inventory performance.
- Company: Join Macfarlane Packaging, a leader in the packaging distribution sector.
- Benefits: Up to £28,000 salary, 27 days holiday, flexible benefits, and career development.
- Other info: Supportive environment with ongoing training and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role with growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in inventory control and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 28000 £ per year.
Location: Kingston, Milton Keynes
Package: Basic salary up to £28,000 (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'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:
As our Inventory Controller, you'll 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'll 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)
- Support stock holding agreements and ensure purchasing accuracy in line with customer requirements
- Analyse inventory performance and report on key KPIs, identifying areas for improvement
- 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
- Experience using ERP or stock management systems
Desirable:
- Previous experience in a distribution or logistics environment
- Understanding of inventory management principles and KPIs
- CIPS qualification (or working towards)
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.
Inventory Controller in Milton Keynes employer: Macfarlane Packaging
Contact Detail:
Macfarlane Packaging Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Inventory Controller in Milton Keynes
✨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 its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨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 in inventory control and stock management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Inventory Controller in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Inventory Controller role. Highlight your experience in stock management and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can optimise stock and drive efficiency!
Show Off Your Data Skills: Since this role involves working with data, don’t shy away from showcasing your analytical skills. Mention any tools or systems you've used, especially if you're familiar with ERP or stock management systems. We love a numbers whiz!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about inventory control and how your proactive mindset can help us improve performance. Let your personality come through – we want to get to know you!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered promptly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Macfarlane Packaging!
How to prepare for a job interview at Macfarlane Packaging
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Inventory Controller, you'll be working with data all the time. Brush up on your analytical skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data to forecast demand or manage stock levels in the past. Bring examples of KPIs you've tracked and how they impacted your previous roles.
✨Understand the Supply Chain
Familiarise yourself with the basics of supply chain management and inventory principles. Be prepared to talk about how you’ve collaborated with procurement, sales, and logistics teams in the past. Showing that you understand the bigger picture will impress your interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
In this role, accuracy is key. During the interview, highlight instances where your attention to detail made a difference, whether it was in managing stock records or resolving discrepancies. You might even want to mention any systems you've used to maintain data integrity.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some thoughtful questions about the company's inventory processes or how they measure success in this role. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.