Supply Chain Specialist (home-based)

Basic salary up to £34,000 (dependent on experience) plus bonus & flexible benefits package including 25 days annual leave. Hours: 37.5 per week, Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm.

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 highly collaborative, supportive, and friendly workplace where you can unpack a career that grows. Our fast-paced, results-driven approach will challenge and often stretch you, but it will also give you opportunities for personal and professional development. We provide competitive pay and personalised incentives, alongside adaptable benefits to make your rewards package go further. Additionally, the way we work prioritises work-life balance and flexibility, empowering our colleagues to manage what is most important to them. Our business values commitment, diligence, teamwork, adaptability, and a thirst for learning.

The Buyer Role involves working as a member of our local procurement team in Avonmouth. In this role, you will support efficient procurement processes to meet sales and profit targets. Responsibilities shall include sourcing products at competitive prices, ensuring quality, and meeting delivery timelines. Collaborating closely with our internal and sales teams, you will adhere to and uphold our procurement strategies whilst negotiating terms with suppliers to drive operational efficiency. Monitoring market trends and supplier performance, you will identify opportunities for process improvement and cost optimisation, contributing to the organisation's competitiveness and profitability.

Please note, this position is wholly office based and due to the location of our Avonmouth site, own transport is preferred.

• Support the management and development of the Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) supplier base to deliver maximum service at the lowest cost.
• Negotiate prices and service agreements with local suppliers to ensure cost-effectiveness and quality standards.
• Liaise with the Category Manager and Procurement Manager to align RDC procurement strategy with company objectives.
• Ensure that RDC purchasing transactions are carried out in a timely and cost-effective manner, administering purchase orders and associated administration efficiently.
• Source alternative suppliers when necessary to diversify supplier base and mitigate risks.
• Monitor quality and service levels regularly to maintain high standards and address any issues promptly.
• Develop awareness of the profit implications of stock holding costs, including redundant and damaged stock, and take appropriate actions to minimise losses.
• Work in partnership with the Logistics and Warehouse team to optimise stock holding volumes and ensure efficient inventory management.
• Develop and maintain a good knowledge of all packaging solutions, sharing insights and expertise with colleagues to enhance collective knowledge.
• Negotiate discounts based on volumes with local suppliers to maximise margin and profitability.

Experience of working within a fast-paced purchasing environment with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively. Varied exposure to product sourcing across a range of local & national suppliers. IT/PC literate with solid competency and working knowledge of Microsoft Office and internet. Prior experience of Microsoft Dynamics and/or other sourcing software packages. Minimum 18 months buying experience within a commercial purchasing/procurement environment. Experience in prior role of close inter-department working (i.e. with sales/purchasing).

We provide a competitive basic starting salary (weighted higher to reflect temporary contract) and operate a range of rewarding bonus/incentive schemes. Our flexible employee benefits package can include approximately 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days with service) plus all public holidays.