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 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
If your skills, experience, and qualifications match those in this job overview, do not delay your application.
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 are 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 will 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 will ensure stock is sourced competitively, delivered on time, and meets required quality standards. You will 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 will 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 will 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 will 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 Sudbury 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 extensive opportunities for personal and professional growth, including pathways to professional qualifications like CIPS. Join us to be part of a company with over 75 years of history, where your contributions directly impact our success and sustainability efforts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer in Sudbury
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Macfarlane Packaging, their values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info about the role and even lead to referrals, which can boost your chances of landing that Buyer position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of the Buyer role. Practise your responses to common questions, especially around negotiation and supplier management, so you can impress the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer in Sudbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your purchasing or procurement experience, and don’t forget to showcase your negotiation skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for the Buyer role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships or improved procurement processes.
Showcase Your IT Skills:Since good IT skills are essential, mention any relevant software you’ve used, like ERP systems or Microsoft Office. If you have experience with specific tools, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the quickest way for us to receive your application, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Macfarlane Packaging
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you brush up on your knowledge of procurement and supply chain management. Familiarise yourself with key terms and concepts related to buying, stock management, and supplier negotiation. This will help you speak confidently about your experience and how it aligns with the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Since negotiation is a big part of the Buyer role, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully negotiated terms or prices with suppliers. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes, as this will demonstrate your capability in a real-world context.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research Macfarlane Packaging's values and commitment to sustainability and customer satisfaction. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs. This shows that you're not just looking for any job, but that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. This could be about their procurement strategy, how they measure supplier performance, or opportunities for professional development. Asking questions shows your interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
