Assistant Buyer

MacFarlane Group; Greater Sudbury; On-site; GBP 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading packaging distributor in Sudbury seeks an Assistant Buyer to support procurement activities. This role involves managing stock levels, liaising with suppliers, and contributing to cost-effective purchasing strategies. The position offers a competitive salary, bonus potential, and a comprehensive benefits package including annual leave and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days with service)

Contributory pension scheme

Employee assistance program

Extensive training and development

Employee discount scheme

Health options for qualifying roles

Enhanced maternity & paternity pay

Qualifications

• Support day-to-day procurement activities.
• Develop understanding of supply chain functions.
• Liaise with suppliers and manage purchase orders.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cost-effective stock levels.
• Ensure timely purchasing transactions.
• Reduce stock holding costs.

Skills

Procurement

Inventory Management

Supplier Liaison

Cost Reduction

Communication

Job description

Package : Basic Salary up to £21,500 (dependent on experience) plus bonus & flexible benefits package, with up to 27 days holiday (Plus additional annual leave purchasing scheme)

The Company

We, the UK’s largest packaging distributor, have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Buyer to join our procurement team based in Sudbury. We are a committed equal opportunities employer that champions ‘dignity in the workplace’. Our focus is to provide customers with fully integrated and innovative packaging solutions, augmented by outstanding customer service. Our procurement functionality is a vital part of our solution offering, and we continually invest in the professional development of our team, including professional accredited training.

The Assistant Buyer Role

Working as a member of our local procurement team, your role will support the site at which you are based whilst upholding the company-wide National procurement strategy.

Within this role, you will gain varied exposure to wider procurement tasks and scenarios while actively focusing on ensuring that correct stock/inventory levels are ordered and held for customers.

Assistant Buyer Key Duties

Reporting to the Senior Buyer, the Assistant Buyer role will require the following activities:

1. Support the local team of buyers with day-to-day procurement activity.
2. Purchase standard and non-standard stock items, maintaining cost-effective stock levels.
3. Develop a full understanding of the total supply chain function.
4. Actively seek to reduce stock holding and material costs.
5. Ensure that purchasing transactions are carried out in a timely and cost-effective manner.
6. Administer purchase orders and all other associated administration.
7. Liaise with existing suppliers and source alternative suppliers when necessary.
8. Develop awareness of the profit implications of stock holding costs, including redundant and damaged stock.
9. Develop and maintain a good knowledge of all packaging solutions.

Additional Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days with service) plus all public/bank holidays.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Free parking at many of our site locations.
• Range of company cars or cash allowance (including electric) for qualifying roles.
• Employee assistance program to support & advise on well-being & issues.
• Extensive training, development, and potential progression opportunities.
• Employee discount scheme on major retail/leisure brands.
• Health options: Simply Health, Dental Cover, or BUPA for qualifying roles.
• Tax-free childcare (TFC) scheme.
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay.
• Long service awards (5-40 years).
• Charitable giving options.
• Financial support with eye tests/purchasing glasses (DSE users only).